Two Broncos On the Brink of Huge NFL Milestones in 2023
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The Denver Broncos have been out of the spotlight since winning Super Bowl 50. That was seven years ago.
Without a spotlight, it's difficult for even the hardest-working players on losing teams to get recognition or accolades. Even though some such players might hold records or are approaching a milestone, the shadow cast on their franchise ultimately hides that.
After all, it's a team game, and individuals will get lumped in with sustained mediocrity. This is the case for the Broncos as of late.
However, CBS Sports listed the two Broncos with active statistical streaks heading into the 2023 season. Let's dive into what these two players need to do to continue their respective streaks and examine whether these milestones can be achieved.
Russell Wilson: 12 Consecutive 3,000-Yard Seasons
Even though Wilson had his worst season in 2022, he still managed to pass for 3,524 yards. He has surpassed the 3,000-yard mark for 11 seasons in a row. If he manages to reach that mark again this season, he will be only the second quarterback to achieve 3,000 passing yards in each of his first 12 seasons.
Who is the first man to reach this impressive achievement? None other than former Bronco and Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning. It would indeed be an exceptional accolade on Wilson's resume to help boost him to Hall-of-Fame status when he calls it a career, and it's also ironic, considering that Wilson tied Manning's long-standing rookie touchdown record in 2012 (26), which was broken in 2018 by Baker Mayfield (27), and shattered by Justin Herbert in 2020 (31).
After surviving the trials of incompetence laid forth by ex-head coach Nathaniel Hackett last year, there is no doubt that Wilson could again surpass 3,000 yards in a Sean Payton system. Payton is a far superior tactician and play-caller than Hackett, so if Wilson hit the mark last year, 2023 should be a breeze (health willing), especially considering the return of the surehanded Tim Patrick and the emergence of Jerry Jeudy.
Expect Wilson to handily continue his streak with at least 3,500 yards passing in 2023.
Justin Simmons: Four Straight Seasons with 5-Plus INTs
Simmons has been a turnover machine for the Broncos. His 27 interceptions are the third most in the NFL over the past five seasons. Simmons has a gravitational pull on the football when it is heaved into the secondary.
His league-leading six interceptions last year came in only 12 games. Five or more interceptions in 2023 would make him only the second player to climb to four consecutive seasons of turnover dominance since 2000.
Darren Sharper is the only other player since 2000 to attain that goal. Playing under new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and DBs coach Christian Parker, Simmons can only benefit because these coaches have a combined 16 years of defensive back/secondary coaching on their respective resumes. Simmons could snatch this achievement with ease.
The Takeaway
There is so much to look forward to this upcoming Broncos season. Football is the ultimate team sport, but the individual successes of Wilson and Simmons will help boost Denver to a level it hasn’t reached in what feels like an eternity.
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