Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - BRONCOS SQUAD SHOW: What should Denver prioritize in offseason?

Episode Date: February 11, 2026

The Denver Broncos have plenty of in-house tasks to handle prior to the start of NFL Free Agency. What should Denver prioritize in initial weeks of the offseason? Join Aniello Piro, Cody Roark, Sayre ...Bedinger and Nick Ferguson as the break down the latest news and notes in the world of Broncos football. Plus, some reaction the Patriots embarrassing loss to the Seahawks in Super Bowl 60. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. FanDuel The Winter Games are on. And there’s no better way to follow them than with a bet on FanDuel. FanDuel - Play your game. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/lockedonnfl. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 I'm Anilo Piro, and yes, this is a Bronco show, but I got to say it, the New England Patriots proved they were indeed frauds all along. I'm Cody Rourke. I hate to say, I told you so. I'm Sarah Bedinger. Bring on part two of the 2014 offseason. Give me all the free agents. Give me all the trades. I'm Nick Ferguson and, man, forget all that. It's time to hit the reset button and start this thing all over. All right. Let's break it down on today's lockdown Broncos. squad show. From the south stands, it's the Broncos squad, everything Denver Broncos every week, covering all the big hits and game changing plays from the mile high city, the way only the
Starting point is 00:00:42 Lockdown Podcast Network can. Gear up and squad up. The Broncos squad show starts now. Yes, it is your Lockdown Broncos squad show right here on your Lockdown Broncos YouTube channel and your audio feed as well. Hope all of you in Broncos country are having a good day, man. And sun is shining here in the Mile High City, you know, no winter weather outside of the AAC championship game in the second half, it feels like right now. So all is well for me. Hope all is well for you.
Starting point is 00:01:14 We've got the full squad here today, Enelopeeuro, Coney Work, Sarah Bettinger and Nick Ferguson. I'm going to talk a little Denver Broncos football, of course, and also whatever else is on our mind with respect to the football world and Cody's ADHD thoughts as well. So we'll have some fun with that. Before we get started, because I kind of teased it at the end of last week's show, Nick, do you have any war stories for us from Radio Row? I've been to a handful of those.
Starting point is 00:01:41 I know it gets kind of crazy down there. How is your experience? You have a good time. And give the listeners a little bit insight as to what it was like. Hey, man, it was awesome as it is every single year. And the one thing I love about it, you get all the major networks with the big stands in the corner. And everyone else is left in the middle of the scrum to kind of. figure things out for themselves.
Starting point is 00:02:02 And here is where media has changed. I mean, some of everyone is searching for content. And what better place to find content where, you know, the Super Bowl is? And you had like, like I said, the major networks, the mid-level people and the individuals just kind of starting out at the bottom. But it's now wide open. It's like the Wild Wide West when it comes to content chasing with this particular sports.
Starting point is 00:02:25 And some of it is great. Some of it is not so good. But all in all, it was really awesome. Here's what I found interesting because it was at the Mascone Center, downtown San Francisco, and it was like four levels. On the top level was where they housed the media. And if you wanted to sit down, catch a break, you can go do that, charge your phone. Also, they were giving out pretzos and bananas and all these other treats. And they had the rice crispy treats of all things.
Starting point is 00:02:55 Oh, no. Yes, yes. And brownies. And I was tempted to go and attack the Rice Krispy Treat, but I didn't want the sugar rush. And then I thought about the brownies. I'm like, hmm, we are in San Francisco? So are these pure brownies or are these Woodstock brownies? I wasn't sure.
Starting point is 00:03:13 So I stayed away from the brownies altogether. But it was great, man. I ran into so many people, a lot of individuals who I saw at the beginning of my broadcast career and so many people who have kind of taken their careers to a whole different level. So if you've never gone before, I encourage you to do it. It is one of the better spectacles that are out there. Yeah, I always say that it's like the sports media version of like a convention, right? Like you have like the cooking convention in Vegas every year. You've got the, you know, restaurant expo. I don't know why I'm only thinking of food things maybe because I'm hungry.
Starting point is 00:03:46 You know, every business has, I'm always hungry. But every business always has like, you know, their version of a convention, right? And it's usually in Vegas or, you know, another major city. and what radio row or media row, I think is what we really should call it these days. It moves around from city to city every year. And it really is kind of a meeting of the minds, right? You've got the universities that are there and the college kids. And then you've got the social media guys. And you've got some traditional radio stations.
Starting point is 00:04:10 And it really is just like a big media plaza out there. So how was San Francisco as a whole as a city? The city was like any other place, man. They have its great spots. And then it has its not so good spots. And there are a lot of homeless people. Like when I coached in San Francisco, we lived and worked in Santa Clara. So I was never really downtown.
Starting point is 00:04:33 So seeing that many homeless people. And I mean, when I say people were leaning, I mean, literally like leaning. And I'm like, what the hell is going on? There's a huge homeless problem. And I'll tell you, man, they have a huge drug problem at the same time. But what city does it? But it was a Super Bowl. So it was great going to see all the, you know, different people, different events, man.
Starting point is 00:04:58 So I'm looking forward to the Super Bowl and Los Angeles next year. Yeah, L.A. would be a good one. That's where you made your connection to become like a credential reporter, right? Cody, wasn't it in L.A. last time when you got your football. I was working for Pro Football Network. I was interviewing a lot of big name folks out there, Justin Herbert, if man, as Sarah calls him. What was it, Barry Sanders, Chad Ocho Cinco. I mean, I was having fun, man.
Starting point is 00:05:24 I think it's a great launching point. I think that's a type of event that I think inspires a lot of people who get to attend to pursue a media career. If you're there, you just experience the rush of it. You get a market, you get to interact a little bit. I mean, obviously, that's how I got to meet and hang out with Pat McAfee for a little bit at that time. And, man, he's a big draw. And I know that in San Francisco this year, I think he took time out of his crazy schedule for a lot of people, which is obviously awesome.
Starting point is 00:05:53 I think he gets a bad rep at times. But my experience is with Pat McAfee's always been good. But Nick, I know what it's like to go on those media tours there, right? And sometimes you can tell from the very first question, like, ah, this is going to be a painful interview to have to do. But, you know, we power through it. So glad to see you back. And I mean, might as well, like Super Bowl, folks.
Starting point is 00:06:16 Sarah and our show, we haven't had a chance to talk about this yet. I love defensive football, Ferg. I know you do as well. Yes. But man, that game was boring outside. Come on, Cody. Out of the defensive stuff. Look, Seattle's defense, I would say, man, unbelievable.
Starting point is 00:06:33 The way they disguised their coverages, they had such a great game plan defensively against the Patriots. And to Anilo's point, Patriots were kind of frauds. And it didn't surprise me the outcome of the result. I said it was going to happen. Stop. Yeah. Well, here's the thing.
Starting point is 00:06:49 With respect to the Seahawks defense, which was incredible compared to the Patriots offense, it looked like, you know, Varsity versus JV out there. And the one thing that I kind of to bring it to the Broncos for just a moment, like could Jared Sidham have played worse than Drake May played in that game? Like I don't know if a quarterback could have played worse. And I understand he finished with 200 plus passing yards and blah, blah, blah. That was all garbage stuff. That was the Joelle Embed's stat padding, right?
Starting point is 00:07:14 And the first three quarters of that game were, it's weird though because Seattle, if New England had some semblance of consistency on offense, they may have been able to win the game because Seattle was just kicking field goals after field goal after field goal. And they did just enough to win the game. But it's not like Seattle went out there and took it through the first three quarters. Obviously they clamped down late.
Starting point is 00:07:39 But if New England had any semblance of consistency from Drake May and Will Campbell, who I know is getting lit up on social media right now, they may have been able to win the game. T-Rex arms. Teorex arms are hell. God, I feel bad for the memes that are being like, oh, Drake and Josh, dude,
Starting point is 00:07:54 the Drake and Josh memes are killing me. I don't know if you guys used to watch that show, but holy crap, that's funny. I want to ask a question. Okay, we had many discussions about this in the second half of the season.
Starting point is 00:08:08 Does anybody want to amend what has been said in the past about whether or not the Patriots are better than the Broncos? I honestly want to know from you guys. Like, Do you think, I'm not asking that as like, hey, I'm trying to set you up, you know, for something I'm actually, I'm genuinely wondering after all that we saw this season, like the whole body of work from both teams, who's better between those two teams? I'll let Nick go on this one. Yeah, of course, you guys let me go.
Starting point is 00:08:35 I'll take it. So here's what I would say. Based on the fact that who ended up playing in the Super Bowl, it had to be the Patriots. Now, we can sit here and play the if game. if Beau was healthy, if this happened, but we can't, right? I mean, I've talked to one of my former Broncos teammates who happens to be from Buffalo, and all he can tell me, what Josh Allen is, Josh Allen, that. I say, guess where Josh Allen was?
Starting point is 00:08:59 He was right in the same place that we were watching the game at home. So we can only judge it for what it is. And albeit that the Patriots didn't have a great performance in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, they were the one of the final two teams. And it's not what we wanted in Broncos country because, hell, I didn't pick the Broncos to win against the Patriots, especially knowing that Bo Nix wasn't going to play. Now, had he played, that would have changed my actual game prediction,
Starting point is 00:09:27 but he didn't play so we can only go with what we saw. As it pertains to Drake May, and I know he's taking a lot of strays, remember, this guy was in the MVP conversation with Matthew Stafford, who I thought was a favorite all along. But at the same time, you go back and people are saying, well, the strength of schedule. Well, you play who you play based on the fact that you suck the year before, and they were 3 and 14 the year before.
Starting point is 00:09:50 Now, I'm glad Cody brought it up. You think about Will Campbell and then Jared Wilson. I mean, those two guys, man, they may want to go stick their head in some sand for the next couple of months because those dudes, man, they got the business. And credit Michael McDonald because he said, look, I can only play against the guys who you put in front of me. So we're going to single them up and then we're going to run nickel blitz away. It is not my fault.
Starting point is 00:10:16 They can't sit and have an anchor and stop anyone. It is not my fault. So it does make us play that if game in Broncos country, if Bo didn't get injured what this game would have been like. I still think it would have been a low score and defensive game because even Sam Donald himself struggle against that Patriots defense. Yeah, the Pat's defense did a pretty good job all things considered. And, you know, I was texting with a couple of buddies in mine.
Starting point is 00:10:43 Yeah, 100%. it would not, let's say Bo Nix was healthy, like just for conversation sake. The first half of that game, if the Broncos were playing in that, if it was 12 to 6 at halftime, it wouldn't have necessarily surprised me because that was kind of the script that we saw from this Broncos team so many times this season of like lethargic start on offense and then a Blitz Creek coming out in the second half and putting up some points. So, you know, it's obviously, it's interesting. Here's what I will say about the Patriots.
Starting point is 00:11:08 And look, I would have picked the Broncos to beat the Patriots. And I think I picked him either way with Stidham. but I definitely would have doubled down on that had Bo Nix been playing just because I was never really buying what New England was selling but you know what's the old saying like what's the definition of luck
Starting point is 00:11:21 when preparation meets opportunity the Patriots had the easiest opportunities of them all right I mean CJ Stroud some other stuff happens as well and they were prepared for the moment so I can't tear down the Patriots for getting to the Super Bowl right you got to play who's on your schedule it's not their fault they had the easiest schedule
Starting point is 00:11:38 of any team since the 1999 Los Angeles or San Francisco, what is it, St. Louis Rams at the time. Is that right? Wow. Yeah, that was the easiest. In almost 30 years. Since 1999, it's been that long.
Starting point is 00:11:52 So, I can, game can recognize game, you know, like they took advantage of it, like good for them, but they ultimately got got. And here's what I will say as well, Cody. I think the Broncos would have put up a fight against Seattle. That defense was nasty, dude.
Starting point is 00:12:05 And look, I think the Broncos would have had a good chance, but there's no guaranteeing if both does play in that game, they do win. Yeah, I mean, There's no guarantee you that, right? I mean, certainly it would have been a nice storyline because Bo Nix's NFL debut came against the Seattle Seahawks. And he almost got them.
Starting point is 00:12:19 True. Because they were down. They were down bad, you know, for a little bit. And then they made things once again, fourth chord, they made some things interesting there in that game. But no, I just think, I think the thing that is painful, and you saw Broncos players tweeting about it during the Super Bowl that, like, like, man, I'm pissed.
Starting point is 00:12:37 Like, the PJ Locke tweeted, man, if I, if I got tears, in my eyes, it's because I'm crying because we, like, I'm in my feelings. Let me have it. Like, and Pat Sertan posted like the eye roll emoji about how everything was going. Like these guys, and we talked about it in the buildup last week when we did the squad show, a lot of these guys were already preparing for San Francisco, like to get to San Francisco, like Airbnb's, this and that. You know, you can't overcome, you know, the loss of bow. That was certainly tough.
Starting point is 00:13:05 But you know, my biggest takeaway from this Super Bowl early on through the first three quarters? you know what Mike McDonald did he kicked the damn field goal every time and they got an offense where I'm like I would have felt comfortable with them going for it like they have a really good offense but they took the points they kicked the field goals and there's a lesson to be learned in that at times it's a defensive play caller right you know I think he understands how hard it is to come with points and you know obviously they lose clink Kubiak right he's going to the Las Vegas Raiders we'll see what they do with the number one overall pick absolutely nothing They'll get Fernando, but man, what it?
Starting point is 00:13:41 On paper, I agree. I don't think the Raiders are going to mount to anything, but like the idea of Gentie Bowers and Mendoza, like on paper, that's pretty good. Cosby? Let's go through a little power panel. Apparently they said that they had coffee yesterday. I mean, I have coffee every day.
Starting point is 00:13:58 With Kubiak and Crosby. Wait, wait, you have coffee probably with yourself or your spouse, but you're not Clint Cubiak having coffee with Max Crosby. Come on, Cody. Man, you know, I had these coffee conversations with Broncos country. Hey? You know, shout out in the morning Broncos. But no, like, Crosby, he was wronged in a way that is irreversible from the top of the organization.
Starting point is 00:14:24 He's a guy who freaking doesn't come off the field. 100% of the snaps he placed. He doesn't come off the field. And he's earned the right to say, I don't come off the freaking field. So when you make him sit out for two games, that's an ownership problem. that's not a Clint Kubiak. There's no Clint Kubiak solution. So Max Crosby's gone.
Starting point is 00:14:43 Like he's out of there, in my opinion. And I think that it's a foregone conclusion. So the Raiders are going to get worse and take five steps back before they can take even a step forward. So they're irrelevant to me. But I also have to bring up the fact. Nick, Nick brought up Michael McDonald, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then.
Starting point is 00:15:01 The line from 40-year-old Virgin where Paul Rudd goes, if I hear Yamo be there one more time. Yam will burn this place to the ground. So I just had to say that because Michael McDonald means so many different things to me besides the Seattle Seahawks. But I agree with you guys. I think that the way this game played out, it was it was both torturous and sort of a vindication for the Broncos in many ways, right? Because the way that Seattle approached this game was small ball. Like they weren't attacking a lot downfield. It took a couple shots to Rashid Shaheed, but Jackson Smith and Jigba wasn't winning MVP of the Super Bowl. It wasn't Sam Donald winning an MVP.
Starting point is 00:15:41 They hand the ball off to Kenneth Walker. They dump it off to Kenneth Walker. That dude did the work. And then the kicker, the kicker was, in my opinion, the true MVP of the game. Yes. You got to give the opportunity to do it and let your defense eat, man. That's what the message was sent, right? Right.
Starting point is 00:15:58 From Mike McDonald. He's like, these guys, they can't get past midfield. So if I get three points, I'm going to take three points. That's the mentality that Sean Payton should have taken. And that's why I think that shoot, the Broncos are the better team. Drake May historically bad postseason. I know it's his first playoffs. But in terms of the EPA and all those analytics things that the people love,
Starting point is 00:16:21 it was worse than even Peyton Manning's 2015. And he took, what, 21 sacks in the playoffs, four games. Bo Nix took 22 sacks in 18 games this season. plus a number of overtime opportunities. And so to me, I mean, it just, it was vindication for the Broncos to think, like, man, we should have been there. That should be us. I'm like, Justin Bieber over here.
Starting point is 00:16:42 Like, that should be me. Yeah, you know what I'm saying? But then at the same time, it's like, yeah, you like that. But at the same time, it was like an American Idol. Yeah. Send me, give me a golden ticket. Y'all didn't notice, though. My man Sarah dropped an album, though.
Starting point is 00:16:58 I'm telling you. He's dropped an album. Hey, I love it. I love it. Yeah, I love to sing. You guys maybe don't know that about me. I do. I love to sing. But yeah, thank you. I appreciate that. But yeah, I was watching the Seattle Seahawks and I'm thinking to myself, that's what the Broncos formula right there, right there in front of us the whole time. I can't, I can't believe you guys, and especially Cody with you being a fellow defender saying the Super Bowl was boring. Now, I mean, some guys like that the over under being like 50. points. I don't like that crap. I want to see great defense. And that's what we saw from the Patriots and that's what we saw from the Seattle Seahawks. And here's what happened. Here's my biggest takeaway from this game. We saw Mike Braybill utilize that whole mentality. Well, you know what? We're not just going to lose the game because we know the Broncos can't win it. Right. The idea that the Broncos struggle against the pets moving the ball and creating some kind of offense. And all Mike McDonald's say, you know what, I'm going to. take what that guy did last week and use it against him because that's exactly the same game plan
Starting point is 00:18:07 that he deployed that Mac Rable did against Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos. You know what? We're just going to slow play it. We're going to tell Sam Donald just take what the defense gives you. And Sam Donald almost gave the game away a couple of times with some tight window throws that could have easily been interceptions. But that's what this game was about. They knew they both teams had a well-to-do defense. you have two rookies on the left side of the line. That's going to be problematic for any quarterback, whether you're a veteran or a rookie. So it's like, well, we're just going to make sure that we don't turn the ball over.
Starting point is 00:18:42 And if at any point in that game, Seattle turned the ball over, the tide would have been changed because in that, like, fourth quarter, we saw Drake May that touchdown in Mac Hollins, right? And then all of a sudden, Patriots fans were like, we're back in it. And I was like, oh, oh, here we go. What's going to happen? like it almost felt like I was Tony Romo talking to Jim Nance. Oh, oh, here we go.
Starting point is 00:19:05 And I was just like, you know, what was going to happen now? But Seattle pulled the game out and said, just like you said. I went on social media, I made a video. Some people didn't like it. I don't care. But I felt as though, based on what Jason Myers did, he deserved to be the MVP of the Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:19:23 The punter did a hell of a job too, man. Hunter, yeah. Who was acquired with a pick traded from the Denver Broncos. I'll never forget it. The Broncos traded that pick for Michael Dixon. You can look it up. That is crazy. Crazy to think where both teams were out after that trade and the fact that, you know, one won a Super Bowl. One was in the final four. That's, uh, hey, maybe it all worked out after all. See, so now, now do you guys want to thank Russell Wilson and instead of something. Subconsciously, you know, there's some aspect of that. Oh my God. It is crazy, Cody. It really is. Yeah, yeah. All right, let's hit a break when we come back.
Starting point is 00:20:01 We will continue along with the conversation. Some more thoughts potentially on the Super Bowl. I've also got some interesting stuff that I want to throw out the fellas that I know will probably get them fired up. So we'll hit a quick break, come back. Do just that right here on your lockdown Bronco squad show. All right, you guys, real quick, let me tell you about our friends over at Indeed. If you've ever hired someone who looked good on paper, but it wasn't the right fit, you know how important that is.
Starting point is 00:20:30 when you want candidates who truly match what you're looking for, trust Indeed, sponsored jobs. Hiring, Indeed, is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other sites. Indeed's sponsored jobs, put your post at the top of the page and help you reach the right candidates faster. If we need to hire someone for the podcast here, we go straight to Indeed and be very specific about what we're looking for, real experience, not just resume, buzzwords. Instead of struggling to get your job post seen, indeed sponsored jobs, help your listing stand out and reach quality candidates faster. Sponsored jobs boost your post to the people who are the best match for your role,
Starting point is 00:21:06 and that makes a real difference. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on Indeed are 90% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs. Spend more time interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with less stress, less time, and more results using Indeed sponsored jobs. Listeners of this show get a $75-sponsored ad credit or sponsored job, credit, excuse me, to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at Indeed.com slash Lockedon NFL.
Starting point is 00:21:36 So just go to Indeed.com slash lockdown NFL right now and support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions do apply. If you're looking to hire, be sure to check out our friends over at Indeed and let them know that Lockdown Broncos sent show. All right, welcome on back into the program. Enilo Piro, Cody Wark, Sarah Bedinger, and Nick Ferguson. Appreciate each and all of you in Broncos country for tapping in with us as always make sure to hit that like button and smash that subscribe button if you're watching on youtube and to all of our audio listeners shout out to y'all as well uh cody's doing his usual
Starting point is 00:22:12 thing where i don't know what he's laughing about uh so would you like to enlighten us i'm just saying me you say smash that like button's like careful you don't want people to break their devices man i get you know it's play on words yeah one of those i mean if i'm just like please hit the subscribe button please like that doesn't sound good like people love how you say Luckdown Broncos squad show. Got to have a way of Kays. Somebody put a word to that last show and I forgot what it was, but I was like, I didn't know
Starting point is 00:22:42 there was a term for what it was called that you were doing there. I'm trying to remember too, because I know exactly said it in the chat. I remember. It was Vicky. Vicki said it. Yeah, Vicki did, yeah. Well, Vicki's over. You can let us know. Vicki, if you're here. Yeah, the Super Bowl. It was a good time, man.
Starting point is 00:23:00 Should we get controversial and talk about the halftime show. I love her. That's lighting the world on fire. I thought it was awesome. The first thing that I noticed and my wife was like, of course you'd never say, Jessica Alba. Yeah. That is a very Cody thing. Wait a minute. All the women dancing,
Starting point is 00:23:16 all the women dancing, your spotlight just was your track to being went right to her. To be fair. Childhood crush. To be fair, she was the only one that couldn't dance. Like, let's be real about it. You're like, wait a second. Who's that regular, regular person
Starting point is 00:23:32 out there, you know, just standing there. She was in honey. You figure she'd know how to dance. You would think, yeah. I was a stunt devil. Yeah. Dude, Charlie Puth, Charlie Puth stole the show from any performer in the entire suit. I mean, there was the pre-show from Green Day.
Starting point is 00:23:48 There was the halftime show. Charlie Puth freaking crushed it. I mean, one of the best top two, top three, Whitney Houston comes to mind. Yeah. Like the Jackson ever. Oh, you're talking, you're talking to anthem. Sorry. I'm telling you, the shot of him while he was doing the National Anthem,
Starting point is 00:24:06 the camera shot where it got the flyover and then it came back, like, give that camera man a raise. I got to say, too, I don't know if it's just me or if y'all feel this way. Can I understand they rotate the broadcast partners? Sports just feel bigger when they're on NBC. Like, I don't know. I just feel like NBC, maybe it's because they have Sunday night at football. And Fox does a good job.
Starting point is 00:24:28 CBS does a good job. ESPN as well. but like there's something about NBC to me that just like, Toriko. It just feels more, like more, you know? I don't care about Collinsworth, but Toriko. No, I know. In my opinion, he and Greg Olson are the best in the game.
Starting point is 00:24:42 Pair those two up together. Yeah, Greg Olson's awesome. I can't be the only one that enjoys the Chris Collinsworth stick. Like, I like it. I don't, I think, I don't think he's maybe the best, like, color commentator out there. But, like, dude, he's, he's become iconic. Like, he's become. synonymous with Mike Tariko and Sunday night football and like the whole bit with the Patrick
Starting point is 00:25:06 Mahomes thing and he embraces it now like I don't know I'm kind of just like I'm kind of just with it at this point as opposed to being like man he's so annoying I know people are getting annoyed about Tony Romo and stuff I think that's valid but I think Chris Collinsworth leaning into what people say about him I think makes him almost even more relatable do we get him a home's reference during the Super Bowl from him I don't think anyone made a play I was at a bar for the first half, so I'm not sure. I don't remember if we did. A waste of time. I mean, it's two blocks away from where I live and the girlfriend wanted to go. What am I supposed to do? Was it where we wait? Was it the place we did your send off at? Yes. Oh, that's a no bar. Yeah, it's a good spot. I know the bartenders.
Starting point is 00:25:45 It's a good time. Here's what I'll say really quickly about the halftime show. It was creative. I love everything about the pre-show with Green Day. Me and my kids. That was awesome. You know, we were rocking out to to that. And I was like, well, I can't think of another Super Bowl where there was a pre-show before the actual game and before the actually halftime show. So that was sweet. And I could really appreciate that. As far as Bad Bunny's performance, I thought it was great. I mean, I grew up in Miami. So there were a lot of, you know, Latin people, Puerto Rican. So watching the dancing, that's kind of what my eyes kind of was attracted to because that was kind of why my second love, other than football, was just kind of ballroom dancing. Something.
Starting point is 00:26:29 I've never done, but I actually, I actually love it. So I've never really told a lot of people that. So you guys kind of kind of get that. I love that. I love that. You got to get that exclusive. But if I were to rank it as far as halftime shows of all time, I can't say I put it in my top 10 because there were some great performances.
Starting point is 00:26:49 I love the creativity, what they did. But if we're talking about ranking the halftime shows, it was great, but I can't put it in my top 10. I think that's fair. Prince. Okay. Yeah. That's a fan here.
Starting point is 00:27:03 Oh, my God. He's being purple rain in Miami. Then all of a sudden, God said, let there be rain. Come on, man. That's peak. That's peak. RIP, Prince, man. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:27:15 Yes, RIP. One last thing on the halftime show, like, I like Bad Bunny. I've always liked them. But, like, one of my friends who's like one of the whitest people you could possibly make, right? Why did you have to phrase it that way? because I feel like a lot of people like America. No,
Starting point is 00:27:31 Hispanic. Yeah, fish. No, because like a lot of people are like, I'm watching the other halftime show. This is an America, rah, right?
Starting point is 00:27:39 So, like you would think he fits that temo or whatever, but like this dude got floor seats for Bad Bunny and he can spit every single one of his lyrics bar for bar in Spanish. And so I guess the point that I'm trying to make is like, that bunny should be for everybody. Like Latin music, like you grew up in Miami, Nick.
Starting point is 00:27:53 Like, I love Latin music, dude. Like when Ricky Martin came out, I thought that was dope. I thought the whole performance was awesome. And so it's just like, I can't believe it became as big of a thing as it did
Starting point is 00:28:03 with like the conversation around it. I thought it was an entertaining performance and I thought he did it. It was great. And, you know, Wade Phillips was very excited to see Lady Gaga again. Remember at the Super Bowl 50? Oh, we got to see Lady Gaga. Yep.
Starting point is 00:28:17 No, 100%. So I thought it was, I hope you guys enjoyed it. It's supposed to be entertainment. I thought it was entertaining. There was terrible commercials. I felt like the commercials have for the last handful of years.
Starting point is 00:28:28 I feel like they've been just bad. Like the only thing that was like the trailer for the new screen movie that's coming on. I'm like, all right, I'm going to go see that. But I just felt like I was waiting for a commercial to really hit me and nothing did. So there's two, two for me. Okay.
Starting point is 00:28:45 The Budweiser one, which Budweiser always kills it. But the Budweiser one with the horse and the eagle, the bald eagle on the back. And then they followed it up by showing like, hey, this wasn't fake. We legit did this because they showed the actors, you know, the, the two animals from the commercial on screen right after the commercial aired. That was one of them.
Starting point is 00:29:07 And then the second one, give me all the Benson Boone and Ben Stiller content possible. That was, that was hysterical. Like that was perfect, the Instacart where he flips off the thing. Like, that was great. So those two for me, but Budweiser has always been the gold standard. and I feel like they've kind of just like taken a huge step back in terms of volume but every commercial that I thought
Starting point is 00:29:32 was funny in the Super Bowl in the past if I think about it they're all freaking Budweiser commercials like so they they're the ones who kill it I think we didn't hit our over under we said like how many commercials would we see what was the over under on commercials that would like make us tear up and I think we all came our own.
Starting point is 00:29:47 We put it at two and a half and it was like under completely under. Yeah. Terrible. No. Well, I hope everyone enjoyed the Super Bowl man. I know Nick loved it. I thought it was fine. Cody was,
Starting point is 00:30:00 you know, somewhere in the middle as was Sair. And, you know, if you're a Bronco fan, here's the last thing I'll say with respect to the Broncos. Like, and I don't think we're going to hear much about this. And maybe this is harsh criticism for me. Feel free to disagree. I don't want to hear anything else from the players about like, we should have been there at this point. I think that time has come and gone to go back to the point that Nick made him is open. Like, let's turn the page, right? Like, let's look forward. Let's build to a new day. Let's go out there and see him get 14 wins. Let's see him go out there and contend for a championship again.
Starting point is 00:30:28 The time of like reminiscing of what could have been to me is over. Is that fair? Now, yeah. Yeah. I don't want to hear. Left and right, you know, for their offseason repairs. And yeah, the page is turned. 2025 is no more.
Starting point is 00:30:43 Cortland Sutton said it. Chapter closed, baby. Just closed. Oh, my gosh. People are freaking out about that, by the way. Like, if you look at Twitter, he says some people like, what does he mean by this? but he does this every year. At the end of the season, he'll put together, you know, pictures and a little highlight thing.
Starting point is 00:30:58 And, you know, chapter close. Like 2025 was just a new chapter. Now, uh, 2026 is being written. Yeah. And he just got paid. So like, there's no reason to even speculate like, if you want to go the other way about like, is he unhappy or anything like that? Like this is where we're at the off season, though.
Starting point is 00:31:14 Like, yeah, you're right, dude. You're right. You're right. Real quick. Let's hit this. Then we'll hit a quick break. Um, we got an update on George Payton. from Adam Schaefter.
Starting point is 00:31:24 I know that was a little topic of conversation, I believe, on last week's show about with Minnesota firing their GM, would George Payton be a natural fit for Minnesota just because of his obvious connections and tenure there, Adam Schaefter, I believe came out on altitude earlier this week and debunked that for the most part, saying that the intention is, you know, George is content in Denver and Denver wants to keep him around. So I think that's a good thing that we can hopefully put that conversation to bed. Yeah. I mean, I never thought it was really ever in question. You know, George is, George loves it here in Denver.
Starting point is 00:31:56 I know that behind the scenes, they love George, and they're working on getting that done. That stuff's going to be done privately. I imagine the same time John gets extended as the same time George gets extended. I imagine it's probably going to be exactly what they did in Green Bay with Lafleur and obviously their GM up there. They're going to take care of that. Are we going to get a press conference about it?
Starting point is 00:32:16 Absolutely not. Because Sean doesn't want to answer questions about the play calling. That's why you won't get a press. The combine's coming up, though, in what? A couple weeks? Do we think that's the first question he gets asked? Yes. 100%.
Starting point is 00:32:29 And then he's going to be kicked off. Then he's going to be ticked off and he won't say anything else for the whole time. I guarantee you that's what's going to happen. Or he'll start off by saying like, hey, I'm not answering any questions. And then somebody will ask him again. And he'll be like, he'll have like another, you know, clip that we get to laugh about because he'll be so upset. You know, that's how. How much you want to validate?
Starting point is 00:32:52 Here's the first two questions. Sean, obviously Davis Webb is now the offensive coordinator. Yeah, yeah. That's what he does. He wouldn't even let the question get out. Yeah. Then the second one's going to be,
Starting point is 00:33:06 Bo Nick seemed pretty upset with you, you know, over that one thing. Yeah, no. No, it's all water. Blown out of proportion. Yeah, you guys made a big deal about that.
Starting point is 00:33:15 Listen, listen. Listen. Well, I agree. Yeah. See, I think you guys have it wrong. because Coach Payton is not going to wait for someone to ask him the question. It's going to start off with him making a statement to let everyone know not to ask him questions concerning those two things, right?
Starting point is 00:33:33 He ain't going to do that. Yes. Then he'll get asked anyway. Yeah. Somebody Luke and Chris Thomas. Yeah. And you know what he's going to say? Well, I mean, you can't hear.
Starting point is 00:33:43 Did you not hear what I just said? I told you here's what I'm willing to talk about. If you're not willing to talk about that, then I, I, I, I suggest you remove yourself. That's the way he's going to handle it. Let's see what he does the night before. Let's bookmark this for sure. Because I think he's going to have a couple of lattes in his hand.
Starting point is 00:34:03 Oh, yeah. That morning. Oh, yeah. Big latte guys. You have to do with the combine stuff. Okay. You got to do a media scrum. Okay.
Starting point is 00:34:09 Well, you know what that means? That means or there's going to be a deflection. The contract extension is going to happen before then. And then that's going to be the subject to focus. Here's what we need to happen. Here's what we need to happen. The first thing he needs to do at the combine is talk to Kay Adams. That's the first thing that he needs to do because she can ask him anything and he will answer it.
Starting point is 00:34:32 Like she could say, so Davis Webb, he got promoted, had interest from all these other teams and she'll bring that charm. She'll bring that charisma. And Sean will tell her exactly what's going to happen. He will say exact, like he will give her any answer. He will. And no matter what the question is. He just, she has, she's got like charisma. That's the only thing that I can say about it.
Starting point is 00:34:56 Like she's got charisma straight up. She knows how to ask questions. She asks it in such a way that's like, okay, this is friendly, conversational. I'm not trying to like make you feel obligated to answer. She has a way to get that answer out of him. So get Kay Adams to talk to him first and then let everybody else ask him the follow up questions. You've been on with Kay, right? Maybe that's what I should do.
Starting point is 00:35:20 I should hit her up and say, hey, listen, everyone here in Denver has some questions they want to be answered. He's not going to answer the questions here. So can you just kind of lead into it and just try to get him to answer this question? And so everyone else will have something to chew on because they know that you can actually get it done. Exactly. Hold on. Let me do that right now.
Starting point is 00:35:43 Yeah, let's do it. He's on it. Man of the people. We're making things happen on this show. All right, well, Nick does that. Let's hit a quick commercial break. When we come back, let's continue along with the conversation right here on your Lockedon Bronco Squat show.
Starting point is 00:36:00 All right, y'all. Let me tell you about our friends over at Fanduel. The winter games are officially here. And if you're anything like us, you're looking for events you can only get to see on the biggest stage every four years. And that's why following the winter games on Fandual just makes sense, from metal counts to individual events to finding your angle on the sports you care about most. Fanduil gives you more ways to stay connected to the action,
Starting point is 00:36:28 the drama of curling matches that start slow and somehow get intense fast. Speed skating races decided by inches, hockey games that feel different right from the opening face-off. Every niche event becomes must-watch because when you're fully locked into the competition, it's just that much better. Fandu will keeps the entire Olympic experience engaging from start to finish. The winter games are on and there's no. better way to follow them than with Fandual. Fan duel play your game.
Starting point is 00:36:55 I saw Gabriel Landisg. Avalanche players scored a goal today for Sweden. So a lot of avalanche representation out there for your fan of the abs. And, you know, it's always a fun time. So be sure to check out our friends over at Fanduel and let him know, Locked out Broncos send show. What's the smile now? Just the callback, man, you know, once again.
Starting point is 00:37:21 I didn't do it that bad on that one. Well, you did good. You did good. I'm just saying. It's now a part of this show. It's now part of the squad show. It's what the people want. They almost come to expect it now.
Starting point is 00:37:35 I guess that's fair. I don't know if you could trademark it, but I mean, you could try. No, I know. I have the little apple emoji, you know, put that in the caption. I'm very excited to see how this combine prediction for us goes. Really, really, really excited about that. That's got me feeling excited. In what sense?
Starting point is 00:37:52 Just to see, like, how Sean is, how George is, you know, what is George going to say? What is Sean going to say? You know, all this stuff. Because, I mean, this is the year, obviously they're picking 30th overall in the draft. This, and I said it like Sarah and I this week, Sarah did his own show where he kind of highlighted his dream off season for Denver.
Starting point is 00:38:10 I did mine. And mine was of the premise of saying, forget them picks. I don't care about the picks this year. I want the Broncos to go out there, make some trades. I want them to get some big name players, right? If they have to trade the 30th overall pick, I'm fine with it. Unless there's like a game change, you're like at 30, you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. And as we have seen, they'll either trade back or trade up or they don't have the pick.
Starting point is 00:38:35 They'll be fine. I think they're in a position now they don't need to have their first round pick if they really want to go get a big name player. I feel like this is the time in the year to do it, considering where they're at. It is 100%. I mean, I think that this is a year and you're just coming off of think about it in this way. the Broncos in 2022 and 2023 did not have a first round pick. They actually lost a top five pick, who was pretty awesome in the Super Bowl,
Starting point is 00:39:05 by the way, Devin Witherspoon for the Seahawks. They lost their first rounders in those two drafts. They did not pick until at earliest, 63 in 2023, 64 and 22. Those picks turned out pretty good, by the way. But the point being, despite that,
Starting point is 00:39:24 they still felt like their roster was good enough last year. Just a couple years removed from the Russell trade. Dead cap, not even off the books, to be able to take a corner in the first round where that's your deepest and best position. You got four guys. Jada Baron played five snaps in the divisional round. I realized that, or in the AFC championship game, excuse me.
Starting point is 00:39:47 I mean, you felt that good about your roster to say, not take a corner, you know. That's how good our roster is. right now. So why would you not take the F them picks mentality this off season when next year's draft is so much better. You're in a Super Bowl window. Your quarterback needs the help. I'm not saying the only option is to trade those picks, but what I am saying is like, who gives a rip about the 30th overall pick? Like, who was the 30th overall pick last year? Who's the best 30th overall pick of all time? Who's the best player you could possibly dream up to be there at number.
Starting point is 00:40:24 30 overall this year. And what's your prediction for what he's going to do? And tell me how that player is better than A.J. Brown. Or tell me how that player is better than, you know, you could think of a number of different players around the league. I just, I would not be attached to the draft capital. Maxwell Harris.
Starting point is 00:40:39 Anyway, huh? Maxwell Hirston for the Buffalo Bills cornerback. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Uh, yeah, Maxwell. Where were you on that Marvin Mims touchdown? Where was Maxwell on that play? So I just think like,
Starting point is 00:40:53 that's the justification right now is like, okay, and if you're going to keep that pick, you better use it to fill needs on this team instead of, oh, well, Jadae Barron's a top 10 guy on our board. He's not going to play. So give me somebody who's going to freaking play. Nate Wiggins, the year before for the cornerback of the Baltimore Ravens, 2023, Brian Brees, defensive tackle for the New Orleans. That was our pick. That was our pick. Wow, that's crazy. Traded for Sean Payton. Yeah, let's see where 2020 is here real quick.
Starting point is 00:41:28 We'll go back to 2021. George Karloftus was probably the exception to the rule here. But even then. And a half sacks a year, Carl Offis, keep going. We didn't have a good year this past year. 2021, it was Gregory Russo. Okay, so what you're telling me is that I could have potentially a game-changing playmaker for this offense, or I could have a possible,
Starting point is 00:41:52 rotational player or, you know, I mean, that's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. Like if that player, if that pick can be used to trade, otherwise take a big man. That's the only reasonable thing to do. Take an offensive lineman because Ben Powers ain't going to be on the team next year and not 26, 27. But that's what I would do. See, I have a different approach from, from you guys.
Starting point is 00:42:13 I would like the Broncos to stay at 30 unless someone wants to come up and grab an extra pick to close out the first round. And the reason when I say stay at 30, because when you look at how this roster is kind of constructed right now, they've shown what they can do. I mean, 14 and 3, number 1C. Obviously, they lost, but why was it that they lost? They lost their quarterback. The defense is still intact. They still have to make some corrections with their secondary.
Starting point is 00:42:40 Brandon Jones should definitely be back. So I like that tandem with him and Hufanga. What they need to do is add depth. And you're not going to get that depth at 30. You can get that in other related rounds. but let's look at some of the issues that the Broncos have, right? Look at the linebacker position. We were talking about that position.
Starting point is 00:42:56 Drake Greenlaw has been hurt. Justice Renard is a free agent. We don't know if they're going to sign him back. And if I'm him, I'm not signing back unless you're saying, hey, you put some money in my pocket and I'm going to be a starter. You're not signing me back on a one-year deal just to be a damn backup. No, we're not doing that. I'd rather go to somewhere else.
Starting point is 00:43:13 But if the Broncos want to take a player and it's not sexy, right? You don't have to because you already have your quarter. already. He's on a rookie deal. Go get a linebacker. Right. I was just looking this up. This guy, April Reese played a lineback at Ohio State, right? That's a young guy that you have on a rookie deal that would go well with all those younger guys you have on the defensive side of the ball. And you guys were talking about, you know, Jadet Barron. See, Jada Barron, here's what's going to happen, right? That when you think about Jaquan McMillan, Jekwain has already solidified his spot. Now, unless there are some political stuff that happens inside the building, yes, it does.
Starting point is 00:43:50 I want my guy in over your guy. Jaquan McMillan is the bona fide nickel of his team. The question becomes who's the starting corner opposite PS2? That's where the conversation begins because if you had an open competition, I'm thinking Jada Baron is going to overtake Riley Moss. Let me ask you about that, though, right? Because from what I gather, Sean likes his outside corners to have some height to him. jade is not necessarily the hideous guy he's got the height of a you know a guy that could come play up in the boxes you know as a safety but also inside the nickel and the dime there i'm curious for your thoughts on that yes he's played outside but with how much we see vance joseph and his scheme run press man-to-man coverage especially when they're blitzing i think that that's where he prefers the guys with height the physicality so to speak well for me i'm going to tell you damn that height it's about can you make plays at the point of attack i mean i've i've said i
Starting point is 00:44:49 I've seen some short guys climb the ladder make plays. I've seen tall guys can't even make a damn play. So when we talk about height, it's neither here nor there. Can you play or can you not? So for me, that's where the competition would be.
Starting point is 00:45:03 Let the best man win. Two men enter. One man leaves like the Thunderdome. That's the whole thing. And Riley Moss, no disrespect to him. I think the player's a dog, right? But based on what happened last season with the PI calls, you want to get better in that particular area
Starting point is 00:45:20 because when you get a PI, you're now putting the ball at the spot of the file. You're advancing the offense, so you want to be able to stop them. So for me, that's where everything starts. If you can figure out and let that battle figure itself out where who's going to be the opposite player from PS2, I'm going to put my chips to the table towards Jarday
Starting point is 00:45:42 because Jardy as a young player, he stepped up to the plate. And oh, by the way, he was, drafted in the first round. Riley was drafted in the third round. And we know, we know how office politics work, gentlemen. Yeah. I would, I would have an open competition there between Riley, Abrams, Drain, Jada, and C.J. Just see how it goes. It doesn't hurt, right? I think it pushes the envelope a little bit. Riley's contracts coming up. So for him, it's, hey, you know, I got to go out there and play. Like, now I agree, he can play. But here's my, here's my question to you. Is that the
Starting point is 00:46:13 reason why Addison Lynch got fired was the PI stuff? Because that honestly was the most a surprising coaching move to me. Well, that can be, you can't put that on, on Addison. Just like, what you think about, he did a great job. That's the thing that, that's what's crazy to me is I watch them work the drills about getting in phase and not being grabby. So I'm like, why did he get fire? I thought he's a terrific coach.
Starting point is 00:46:36 Well, you know how this works. When a team loses, someone's got to go. Someone's got to fall on a grenade. And it might be you, right? And you might have done everything that you did. Think about Kerry Coburn. He probably figured that he did everything he could that coached the wide receivers up, right?
Starting point is 00:46:53 They still were not blocking at the point of attack. They still were not beating press coverage. It's down the field on upfield routes. They still were not fighting to get open. And we watched him in practice, starting from training camp, try to coach these guys to do different things. Sometimes you're asking a guy to do something that he just can't do from a skill set standpoint.
Starting point is 00:47:12 And because of that, you get fired. Now the question becomes, who's the next guy to come in? and can he get the wide receiver group to the next level? I think it's all relevant points that you make. And I agree with Cody and I agree with you, Nick. I do think J.quahm McMillan has solidified himself with respect to what his role is in his defense. And he's one of those guys.
Starting point is 00:47:33 I forget if it was after the Buffalo game because he made that game sealing interception where he's not the biggest guy in the room. Right. And he's had to lean on other things, whether it's his mentality or his physicality, to get him to where he is right now in his NFL careers. So, no, I think that's a really good point that you bring up. And I also think open competition at this point, like, look, you can't be satisfied with how your season went last year, right?
Starting point is 00:47:55 You didn't accomplish the main goal. Yes, it was a great season. You won 14 games. You won the division, but you didn't win the whole thing. And again, I know Bill getting hurt plays a massive role in that, but still turn the page and reset now for 2026. And we'll see where the Devin Broncos go from there. I'll be in the draft or the free agent pool. Okay, final break here real quick.
Starting point is 00:48:15 We'll come back. Wrap up the show. A couple of closing thoughts here. And we'll get you guys on your way. right here on the lockdown Broncos squad show. All right, well, come on back into the program. Full squad here today. That break was five seconds.
Starting point is 00:48:33 What are you smirking at, Cody? It's like, you know, he gets like three seconds of time. And it's like squirrel, squirrel, squirrel. Bro, I mean, I have ADHD like crazy. You know, I can't sit still. But no, I was a shout out my man, D. Rock in the chat. He's always going like that same, you know, and all cats. Shout out D. Rock.
Starting point is 00:48:54 That's the guy, man. Yeah, no, he's the man. We have a good group. Dude, there's like a lot of guys. Clinton, Dennis, Gen X-Hive-M-Aleon. Italian Stallone. Italian Stallone. Hey, my gosh.
Starting point is 00:49:12 Okay. Cody's not going to like this conversation, but I want to bring it up just because I've seen it trending on social media. Can you believe the Broncos have the third best odds right now to win the AFC West next year. The chargers are the favorite. The Chiefs are in second and the Broncos are in third. Now, it's not like this massive gap, but when I saw that, I was like, what the heck?
Starting point is 00:49:38 Do you know why? Do you know why? You understand why? Well, yeah, I think for the Chief's conversation of it. I don't know about that. Here's the biggest thing. We always see these bumps based on who's acquired from a hit from a coaching standpoint and the player's standpoint. So when you look at who they acquired as their OC, they get that bump and Mike McDaniels.
Starting point is 00:50:01 And I can tell you this, not because someone told me, I could tell you this because I work with this dude in San Francisco. When it comes to the run game, the dude is bloody brilliant, right? Now, he didn't do a great job as being a head coach and there's a lot of things that go into it. But when it comes to scheming things up on the run with the run game, he is that freaking dude. That's how he became a head coach.
Starting point is 00:50:25 But thinking about Amari and Hampton, someone who I wanted the Broncos to draft. So you now have that guy. And if he starts to build this offensive line and this run game, just like we saw Kenneth Walker with the Seattle Seahawks, here's what we're going to see. We're going to see less of Justin Herbert in the shotgun, and we're going to see him more on the center. An athletic guy under center running the ball with a down here running game,
Starting point is 00:50:50 and now you throw in play action and the bootkeep game. Oh, man, look out. I'm just saying. No, I understand it completely. I think Mike McDonald's of the Chargers is huge. Or McDaniel, I'm sorry, I'm thinking of the Seahawks coach. Mike McDaniel. Smokey Hill product out here in Colorado.
Starting point is 00:51:09 Guys, I'm just getting word that the Chargers lost Jesse Minter, maybe the best defensive coordinator in the NFL. Like that loss is more substantial than the addition of Mike McDaniel because the chargers have to rebuild their offensive line. Like, when's the last time you heard of an offensive tackle coming back from a ruptured Patel or tendon? I don't think that's ever happened. Like, we know from our own experience, I know medicine has advanced since this time,
Starting point is 00:51:37 but that was effectively a career-ending injury for Ryan Clayty. So we're talking about now Roshan Slater dealing with the same thing. And now Joe Alt, also having a season-ending injury, Mackay Beckton, a free agent bust, Justin Herbert is constantly injured. I mean, so that to me, you lose Jesse Minter. I'm shocked, honestly, that I don't pay attention to that stuff at this point in the season, but that's crazy to me that the Broncos are third with, they'll have the highest roster retention rate.
Starting point is 00:52:10 They have, I think, the most caps base, unless the Chargers have more at this point, but they have a lot more guys to resign. So, like, that is surprising. You bring back the, I mean, Vince Joseph won one, one of the. the coach of the year, assistant coach of the year awards, not at the honors, but one of them.
Starting point is 00:52:25 So you're bringing him back. You promoted Davis Webb. Your roster's intact. You have the cap space to go improve. I'd be fascinated to know why Kansas City would have better odds to win the division with nearly 60 million in the red against the cap. Patrick Mahomes had multiple injuries to that knee.
Starting point is 00:52:43 They have the oldest roster in the division. I mean, they brought back Eric B. enemy to try and recapture the 2020. season and he wasn't even a good coordinator. So I just think that to me is like, again, just another chip on the shoulder, I guess. There, no what you're missing on this. And this is probably why Vegas looked at it this way.
Starting point is 00:53:06 Of all the teams in the AFC West, who had the better record? The Denver Broncos. So you know what's going to happen to the Denver Broncos this year, the same thing that's going to happen to the Rams and the Seahawks. strength of schedule is going to be entirely different. So when you think about Kansas City, right, and how poorly they play. And we've seen this play out with the Patriots. They went three and 14, right?
Starting point is 00:53:33 And their schedule coming into the 2025 season was pretty soft. So you have to predict that maybe the Kansas City Chiefs, they're going to get a softest schedule. The charges are going to get a softer schedule. Meanwhile, the Broncos are going to have a tougher schedule, why the Las Vegas Raiders are going to have a softest schedule. which favors them because of the opponent, right? So the road is going to be tougher for the Broncos than it is going to be for any of the
Starting point is 00:54:00 other teams. Now, something can change, right? And it's not to say that Broncos can't win all those games or most of those games in a tough schedule, but we know, we know this. It's been proven in years past, and we've just seen the Patriots do the same thing. You have a very favorable schedule. Well, Holmes is going to be back at some point, like you said, Eric B. Enemy is coming back.
Starting point is 00:54:22 And we know how the chiefs have played with him inside the building. And that's why Andy Reid brought him back and kick Nagy to the curve. Here's one thing I will say as well because I looked up the other divisions. The Seattle Seahawks are not favored to win their division. The New England Patriots aren't a favorite to win their division, right? So the Broncos are not mutually exclusive to this conversation. I did. To me, it's more so about the Chargers being the favorite than anything.
Starting point is 00:54:50 else. Like, if I had to make a choice between, take the Broncos out of it, if it's the Chargers of the Chiefs, I'd probably take the Chiefs as crazy as that might sound with their cap situation and whatnot. Like, the Chargers are consistently proven to be an organization that builds you up to tear you down, right? And I like Justin Herbert. I do.
Starting point is 00:55:07 I mean, I was one of those guys that I thought Herbert was underrated. And after what I've seen in this playoff run, like, I'm starting to reconsider some stuff. I think he's a good regular season quarterback. And, of course, we're talking about a regular season conversation here. But I'll give me a perspective. Yeah, oh, God. Well, no, I was just going to say, like, my perspective is it's the Broncos division until it ain't. I mean, there's no reason to think that they're not going to, they're going to take a step back.
Starting point is 00:55:29 Like, 14 games might be a little much. And like to Nick's point, you know, they're going to have that first place schedule. But again, it's, you're going to play that you're going to draw the page. Well, I think they have the AFC East and the NFC West. So you'll play the Patriots and the bills no matter what. Yep. And they play, I think the Patriots on the road at Foxborough. That'll probably be a prime time game.
Starting point is 00:55:49 but they play Seattle. They play Buffalo in Denver. They play the Jazz. San Francisco is going to be on the road there. The Rams are going to be in Denver. So, I mean, the fact that Denver is going to have these games at home, I like that. I think that there's a clear-cut advantage to that in this situation.
Starting point is 00:56:08 And Sarah and I were actually just talking about this earlier this week. I mean, right now we're all looking at it on paper, right? And it's like, man, that's tough. Like, they're opponents. That's tough. But we don't know what's going to happen with these other teams in the offseason. We know what's going to happen in the earlier stages of the season that could impact these matchups whenever they are played
Starting point is 00:56:23 the way that we saw some games impacted this year. Yeah, no, I'm with you. And also for reference, they're 12th in Super Bowl odds. So just to kind of rationalize that a little bit. They're tied with like the Texans and the Jaguars. But understand why. Okay, so here's what you have to do at times. Is that another reason why?
Starting point is 00:56:44 I lit the fuse. Well, no, not just because of, of that, right? And this is what I had to do. I had to kind of strip myself of anything relative to the Broncos and my association, my love for the team.
Starting point is 00:57:00 And the way that the odds makers are looking at this is just what I said. You look at the strength of schedule. And like you said, Cody, we don't know at this stage. Those numbers could change by the time we get out of free agency. Because what kind of moves would the Broncos make
Starting point is 00:57:16 to make their team better from a veteran standpoint. What will all these other teams do? That factors in. And then you get to, you know, when you get ready to play a particular team, what players are healthy? Because here's what the Broncos did. And this is the same thing that happened with the Seattle Seahawks. And it's a proven fact. We don't, we don't always see some of the best teams in the Super Bowl. It is relative to the healthiest team. And the Broncos were healthy all season long until Bo got injured for the most part, which changed everything for everyone. Now, what are the odds that the Broncos will be able to repeat everything in
Starting point is 00:57:54 2026 that happened in 2025? I would like to believe, yes, that's going to happen. But I don't have a four-leaf clover in my back pocket. So we have to cross our fingers and hope that everyone stays healthy. And if they do, then now you put the Broncos, I'll put them at the front runners to win the AFC West. and I'll put them as one of the top teams to kind of get back to where they were this year. But unless they are healthy, then that's what we're dealing with.
Starting point is 00:58:23 The odds on that happening, man, are slim than none, and we've seen it happen. It's tough. It's fair. And also look at their record in the one score games, right? Yeah. I mean, they had an incredible record, but, you know, conventional wisdom tells us you can't win all those games forever, right? So, I mean, I'm not trying to get too far ahead of myself. I was going to say, you know where I kind of like just being around the team, this is what I get.
Starting point is 00:58:43 they're not a hey we're looking for it a week five you know in week two like they're not looking that far they're very good saying hey we're just focused on this week like and i think if you have that mindset look you got to do it for 17 weeks it's hard it is so hard but the fact that they've shown that they can do that i think is a testament i think you know you have this leadership established inside that locker room who you add to that i think is going to be very important Denver very well. I think they got the pieces to do it. But once again, it's just like, all right, what's it going to take?
Starting point is 00:59:15 It's going to take everything. And you just have to hope and pray along the way that everybody just makes it through the season without any major injury. But that's the case with every team around the NFL. So it's not just like exclusive to just one. That's just kind of where things are at. But that's why we tune in. That's why we watch the game. That's why we lock on.
Starting point is 00:59:33 I think that the Broncos are going to have, I know this is way far ahead. but excuse me, I think the Broncos are going to have fewer one score wins. But what I think automatically is assumed when you bring that up is, well, they're obviously going to have a worse record than they did last year. I think the Broncos are about to kick the crap out of a lot more teams. Like they were criticized for not blowing teams out in 2025, which I think was a valid criticism. I know Nick brought it up a bunch of times.
Starting point is 01:00:01 And I think that is a valid criticism when you have the talent discrepancy to be able to do that or when you have the advantage in terms of health or continuity on the roster coaching staff. I think that's the next progression for this team. I know you hit the reset button, you reshuffle the deck, you reshuffle the game board, however, whatever you want to say, but I think that's the next step in the progression is like, all right, 2024, you guys sucked at one score games. 2025, you were dominant in one score games, but you played too many. 2026, you're going to start kicking the crap out of some of these teams. And that's what I think that's where I think the Broncos are headed because of their roster and coaching staff
Starting point is 01:00:41 continuity and because I believe that they are poised to make a lot more of those impact additions that maybe they've been hesitant to make with the Russell Wilson dead cap or maybe they've felt like, all right, we're just like we're still the jury's out on, on Bo. I don't know what they're saying behind closed doors, but now, now we know like, all right, everybody's all in on Bo Nix. Everybody's all in on this coaching staff. We have continuity. We've got our roster Foundation locked up. We're freaking going for it. And I think now they're going to start to blow these teams out. It's well said. It's well said. I can't wait for the season to start. I know we've got a long way to go, but it's going to be an exciting year nonetheless in Broncos country. Cody,
Starting point is 01:01:21 any closing thoughts from you? No, sir. I'm excited. The offseason is going to be fun for the true fan. There's never an off season. There's always something going on. And, you know, I think right now we're just kind of setting things up for the combine. What are we going to hear from George and Sean? Will any contract extensions take place before then? I know there's a meeting tomorrow that I'll certainly be at in the public for, you know, some news regarding the stadium. Yes. We're there from DeMani Leach on that tomorrow.
Starting point is 01:01:47 So I'm excited to hear, you know, those plans are about Burnham Yard. And yeah, we're just going to keep you covered every step of the way. And Sarah and I have some really exciting things coming up for the Everyday or All Access Club. Found a brand new program to Breakdown Film, some shiny bells and whistles. So we're going to have a lot of a lot of fun here on. free agent prospects and whoever Denver does end up signing. Hopefully we get some renderings potentially from the Burnham Yard news tomorrow. We could talk about that later on in the week.
Starting point is 01:02:14 So exciting news with the stadium. Nick, any closing thoughts? Yeah, man. I agree with everyone. The offseason is upon us. Obviously, the season didn't end the way that the Broncos had hope. But as they say, hope springs eternal. And this is an opportunity to not only turn the page, but just kind of re-motivate yourself, right?
Starting point is 01:02:34 and get ready for the regular season. And no one's going to win the Super Bowl in the offseason. So I don't want to hear anyone winning, you know, Super Bowl, you know, press conferences or you add a guy here. No, no, no, no. You win games once you get on the field. And I'm looking for this team to upgrade. They have a lot of money now that they have Russell Wilson off the books.
Starting point is 01:02:57 So I want to see this team go out and get some veteran guys who can come in right away because I know when you bring in young players, It takes them a while to develop, even though the Broncos have played a lot of their young players. I want to see this team go out and get some dogs on both sides of the ball and make this team really truly competitive and get them to the next level. Love it. A lot of offseason discussion to take place here. We appreciate each and every one of you on your way out the door. Hit that like, button, smash that subscribe button for us really helps us out here on the channel.
Starting point is 01:03:27 And we'll be back in a couple of days. But for Cody Works, Sarah Bedinger and Nick Ferguson, I am Anilo Piro, another episode of The Squaboard. show in the books. Talk to you guys soon.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.