Broncos' 2023 Ceiling & Floor Revealed by CBS Sports
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Whether it be NFL media or fans, the collective agrees that the 2022 Denver Broncos were an absolute disappointment. Broncos Country was incredibly disgusted with how the beloved team fell so catastrophically short of its playoff aspirations.
10 wins or more was not only an expectation but a requirement for the Broncos to be thrust back into the Super Bowl conversation. With Sean Payton taking command of Denver back in January, the expectations are very similar.
Pairing a Super Bowl-winning coach with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback sets the bar high for this franchise. A 5-12 record is unimaginable for a coach of Payton’s caliber, as he hasn’t finished under seven wins as a head football coach ever.
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr recently predicted the best and worst-case scenario for the Broncos' 2023 record, aiming for a 10-win season and a playoff berth.
Russell Wilson was a disaster last season in Denver, so the Broncos brought in Sean Payton to fix their franchise quarterback and get the organization back on track. Payton has a lot of issues to correct in Denver, but plenty of those problems will disappear if Wilson performs like the player he was for a decade with the Seahawks.
Getting Javonte Williams back will be a major boost for Denver, but Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick’s injuries significantly hurt the wide receiver depth. The defense should be good with Frank Clark on board to complement a healthy Randy Gregory, with the pass rush helping out a good secondary led by Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons. If Wilson gets his issues corrected, the Broncos have a good shot at the playoffs.
A playoff berth is the outcome that most of Broncos Country is expecting for Wilson and company. Payton was traded to the Broncos in hopes that he would “fix” Wilson after his terrible 2022 campaign.
While that’s certainly a priority, Payton is tasked with revitalizing the entire franchise. His offensive expertise and no-nonsense attitude will change the lazy and uninspired culture that has plagued the Broncos for many years.
The emphasis on running the ball with the stellar stable of running backs headed by Williams will take pressure off of Wilson and open up the passing game. Instilling confidence in Wilson will be a critical factor in offensive success.
The Broncos' defense has talent on all levels as well. Health will be critical, especially along the defensive line, and if they can stay relatively clean in that department, the unit will be a force to be reckoned with.
A 10-7 record would literally double Denver’s win total from last year. It's a lofty goal, but if Payton can elevate Wilson back to Pro-Bowl status and collectively stay healthy, 10-7 with a playoff berth is attainable.
Kerr went on to write that Denver's floor is a seven-win season and another January spent watching other teams compete in the NFL playoff tournament.
The Broncos shouldn’t be as bad as they were last season, as Payton immediately makes the team better. This team still revolves around how well Wilson plays. If Wilson has a repeat of last season, does Payton dare make a quarterback change and hit the reset button?
There are some concerns regarding the pass rush even with Clark aboard, and the offensive line still has some questions on the interior. It doesn’t help Denver can’t seem to beat Kansas City, and the Broncos play in the AFC West.
Payton undoubtedly raises this team’s floor, so it’s hard to see the Broncos repeating a 5-12 flop. However, if Wilson's play from a year ago bleeds into this year, this team will only make a marginal improvement. If Payton were to pull Wilson out of a game for his play and substitute for Jarrett Stidham, it would be an admission that the QB1 can’t be salvaged.
Payton’s biggest challenge has been perceived to be bringing Wilson back to his Seattle form, but ultimately, he is tasked with making the whole team successful. If Sean doesn’t believe Russell can be saved, inserting Stidham means rebuilding becomes a priority. Assuming that is the case, a 7-10 record is still an improvement over last year, albeit underwhelming.
Denver has the chance to right the wrongs of the past several years. Improvement in the win column will be a sign of how Payton molds this team, and if Kerr is correct, regardless of the Broncos' ceiling or floor predictions, they will improve.
Wilson will determine how spectacular that jump is and whether he can become the man he once was in Seattle.
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