The Denver Broncos 2023 season didn’t go the way many hoped, but we still got to see tremendous performances from several exciting stars.
Which of these stars shone the brightest though?
Our LTB Crew debates
Joey Richards (@JRDrafts): Pat Surtain II.
Another season is in the books and Patrick Surtain being the most valuable player on the Broncos remains consistent.
Many would describe this as a quiet season for Surtain, but, at the cornerback position, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Ultimately, having Surtain allowed the Broncos’ defense to scrape by with less-than-desirable play on the opposite side despite virtually no pass rush coming from the defensive line.
Speaking from the standpoint of value, Surtain is simply the cut-and-dry answer here because the team would be their worst version without him.
Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): Garett Bolles.
2023 was the best season of Garett Bolles’ career. He was an elite offensive lineman in pass protection, despite having one of the most difficult pass protection responsibilities with Russell Wilson, and plays one of the game’s most valuable positions. Meinerz has a strong case too for similar reasons, but the value of tackle over guard places the tackle in front for the MVP debate.
My full case for Bolles can be found in the second half of my longform Broncos Awards article.
Mario Vetanze (@VetanzeTherapy): Justin Simmons.
The casual observer might think that Simmons had a “down year” because he only had three interceptions, but that’s what makes them a casual observer.
Everything that you see Simmons do on the field is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his tremendous value, and nowhere is that more evident than the remarkable difference in how the defense looks when he’s playing vs when he’s not. Simmons is one of the very few safeties in the NFL that opposing offenses actively scheme away from, which is why he doesn’t always “pop” throughout the course of a game.
For everything that he does on the field, his value off the field is just as imperative. He is the undisputed leader of the locker room and the individual that every other player on the team looks to for guidance. Big picture, there is not a player on this team who has more value than Justin Simmons.
Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm): Russell Wilson.
For me, the Broncos’ 2023 MVP has to be Russell Wilson.
After a horrific 2022, Mr. Unlimited delivered average to above average QB play for the longest stretch Broncos fans have seen since 2014 Manning. On an offense that lacked difference-making playmakers (especially down in the redzone) Wilson and Courtland Sutton created magic week after week.
While the limitations he created on the offense in structure were obvious, out of structure we saw some vintage Russell Wilson moments that lead to some of the most exciting Broncos games the team has played in years.
Even though he’s more than likely on another team next year, and there were more than a few frustrating moments, Wilson deserves some praise for how he performed this year.
Carter Dillon (@CarterDillon14): Quinn Meinerz.
He proved he was one of the best guards in the league and was ranked as the best run-blocking guards by PFF. No one helped the offense run more than Meinerz did.
Robby Davis (@Robby_NFL): Pat Surtain II.
The stability from the CB1 position allowed time for the defense to start to gel schematically.
Jason Bishop (@JasonBishopBI): Quinn Meinerz.
Pat Surtain II has just as good of an argument and it was a tough call, but Meinerz in his third season took a major step in Sean Payton’s offense and became one of the premier guards in football.
Meinerz was a dominant presence this season for Denver and the numbers back it up, finishing with the best run-blocking grade and second-best pass-blocking grade amongst guards this season. Meinerz’s play deserves to be applauded and no player was better for Denver this season.
Patrick Chiotti (@PatrickChiotti): Jonathon Cooper.
For a former seventh-round pick who is primarily rotational pass rusher and edge defender, Cooper was incredibly consistent all season long. Not a world beater by any means, but he put up the highest sack numbers the Broncos have seen since 2018.
He was one of the only three players to play AND start every game this season, and he was the only defensive player on the Broncos to account for an interception, sack, pass breakup, forced fumble, fumble recovery AND a touchdown (the only defensive TD on the year).
Jacob Romano (@JTR_14): Courtland Sutton
When looking at which player provided the most value to the Broncos in 2023, there is nobody in my eyes who contributed more to the Broncos’ win total than Courtland Sutton. In yet another year filled with inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball, the Pro Bowl wide receiver consistently made highlight-reel catches that directly led to Broncos wins.
Sutton only got better as the season progressed, and was arguably the most clutch performer on the entire team. It is reasonable to assume that the Broncos would not have won as many games without Courtland Sutton, making him my clear MVP of the team.
Winners: Pat Surtain II and Quinn Meinerz (2 votes each)
Honorable Mentions: Garett Bolles, Justin Simmons, Russell Wilson and Jonathon Cooper (1 vote each)
