The Denver Broncos had a tumultuous offseason that will likely shape the franchise’s future, as the organization opted to swallow the largest dead-cap hit in NFL history, by far, and draft Bo Nix to revitalize its quarterback position.
Fortunately, their moves appear pretty cohesive, and the football brains over at Pro Football Focus agree, awarding the Denver Broncos with a B- grade for their offseason moves — tied for the 23rd-best grade in the league.
“The Broncos’ biggest need was to somehow move on from Russell Wilson and, in doing so, put together an offseason where things don’t look totally hopeless with all his dead money,” Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema wrote. “I think they achieved that.”
Ranking 23rd won’t wow anyone, but the Broncos earned a B- even after cutting one of the team’s best players, losing the team’s top free agent with an untested seventh-rounder tabbed as the replacement, and taking on the aforementioned dead cap. That’s a testament to their other moves, particularly in the draft.
“I liked their draft, as they brought in Bo Nix, Jonah Elliss and Troy Franklin, three players who I think could all contribute, with Nix as a potential early starter at the most important position,” Sikkema continued. “They don’t get all the credit for simply getting out of their previous bad moves, but for what they needed to do, I think they accomplished their goal.”
If the Denver Broncos can walk away from this season feeling good about their 2024 NFL Draft, the season will be a success, no matter the wins and losses.
If the Broncos got it right with Nix, fans will soon be ushered out of the wasteland they’ve resided in for nearly a decade, no matter what grades the rest of their moves receive. However, unfortunately, the inverse is also is true, as the misery could be extended, and even heightened.
Just ask a Browns, Lions or Bears fan that has to remember Otto Graham, Bobby Layne, or Sid Luckman as their franchise’s last great passer.
Here’s to hoping they got this one right.
