Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos have a strategy.
However, you may find it difficult to comprehend or accept it if you’re impatient, which is understandable
considering seven consecutive losing seasons and the second-longest active postseason drought.
Nevertheless, information that the Broncos decided to absorb the bigger of the two salary-cap hits on Russell
Wilson’s $85 million dead-money number on Wednesday made it clear.
Wilson isn’t technically a Bronco anymore. Furthermore, the team will still need to manage a $32 million cap hole
the following season. However, by taking on the $53 million salary this season, the Broncos unveiled their strategy
for attempting to construct a long-term contender.
This entails enduring a team-wide dead-money figure of more than $67 million while using this offseason and the
upcoming season to reset and retrench.
Yes, the playoffs were reached by teams that had four of the top five dead-money statistics from the previous season.
However, all of them were in the NFC, which has a different playing field than the AFC, which is headed by teams
like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, and Trevor Lawrence, and which
permits more upward mobility and instability in the standings.
It serves as a reminder that the Broncos won’t be able to escape their predicament by taking short ways because they
play in a conference where even some of the quarterbacking titans miss the postseason. They must be reasonable,
and that is precisely what they demonstrated when they chose to take the greater Wilson cap hit this year prior to
free agency.
Important term: facets.
In contrast to the Oakland A’s of the early 2000s, who were immortalized in the book and movie version of
“Moneyball” — and, to be fair, the A’s of today — the Broncos are not required to base their planning decisions on
staying cheap at all costs. In fact, by being frugal and mitigating the majority of Wilson’s dead-money amount, they
will be able to spend more later on, say by 2025.
Moreover, the Broncos are still building the foundation in several respects.
Regarding the offensive, Payton stated in January that “it’s a heavy-duty work in progress.” That foundation isn’t
where we’re building yet. I saw that we were still driving the damn pilings in.
Actually, that could be said about the entire team. Additionally, they determined this week that important players
like Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy, Josey Jewell, and Lloyd Cushenberry were not part of the long-term plan.
In Simmons’ situation, the Broncos received Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke, their potential starting safety tandem,
for less money than Simmons’ release savings. In exchange for Jewell, the Broncos signed former starter Jonas
Griffith to a one-year contract that was less than twenty percent of Jewell’s average annual value from his new deal
with Carolina. Marvin Mims Jr., who Jeudy obstructed last year on his way to the starting lineup, is most likely
Jeudy’s replacement. In the past, inertia has a tendency to favor seasoned players over rookies.
These are the short-term adjustments that the Broncos need to undertake. Working around a $67 million dead-
money crater and still finding success requires relying on a few players to come forward, either by experience or
Anyhow, an ace can be carried over into the next year. This concept raised a legitimate question: Why not just accept
the lower Wilson cap hit of $35.4 million this year and use the carryover to assist in covering the $49.6 million cap
amount that would apply in 2025?
There are two causes.
They may use the area for next year first. Due dates for prospective new contracts with players in the Broncos’ 2021
class—the most productive group since Super Bowl 50—come. Quinn Meinerz, a right guard, and Pat Surtain II, a
cornerback, are top picks for major deals. Given the surge in the guard market this week, Meinerz’s contract might
reach $15 million annually. Although Surtain’s salary increases because he is likely to be on the fifth-year option, the
Broncos may be able to work out a long-term contract with him.
Even with Wilson’s contract still in effect, the Broncos will have approximately $120 million in cap room in 2025.
The Broncos would have plenty of space remaining after Surtain and Meinerz ate up a sizable portion of it, most
likely to find assistance for their chosen quarterback, maybe in Round 1 of the draft next month.
The second benefit of taking the bigger loss now is that the Broncos have a safety net in case the spur of the moment
or the entry of an unexpected player causes emotion to triumph over reason.The Broncos might be tempted to use
their extra room if they have any at the present. Furthermore, the purpose of a carryover would be defeated if they
did.
The Broncos essentially impose self-imposed austerity on themselves. It’s similar to entering a casino without access
to an ATM and with a strict $300 cash loss cap. The urge to unleash your inner Clark Griswold and haplessly try to
outsmart a jubilant blackjack dealer doesn’t exist.
Having extra room now might help the Broncos in some way.
However, in 2025, they can almost certainly profit from more room.
And while they will undoubtedly put forth a sincere effort to contend and work through the dead money this
upcoming season, this is a long-term plan that aims to both heal the wounds from the Wilson trade and contract and
set up the team to be a serious multi-year contender, much like Payton’s Saints were for two different stints.
Each time, the golden years were preceded by a string of successive losing seasons and roster-building campaigns.
Even if he never uses the phrases “reset” or “rebuild,” Payton now hopes to create a comparable result from the year
2024.
The Broncos have a good plan, even if it will take more time than their already hurting fan base is willing to give it.
