Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos MUST AVOID Disastrous NFL Free Agency Approach

Starting point is 00:00:00 A nightmarish offseason for the Denver Broncos is possible ahead of NFL free agency. We'll tell you what those moves would be here on today's episode of the show. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Happy Friday, Broncos country. Welcome into another episode, Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, the number one sports podcast network in the country. And that's all thanks to all of you every dayers out there.

Starting point is 00:00:35 Broncos country. Thank you so much for tuning in making us your first listen. However, you choose to do so here with the legal negotiating period just a few days away, a nightmarish offseason does have the chance to exist here for your Denver Broncos. And we'll tell you what those moves would be that would fall into that category. We'll look at Mike Cliss's latest report about the Broncos, maybe not going to be in on high price running backs this off season. Plus, Denver's focus, they want to resign Alex Singleton and Justin Sternad. What would that do for the? the outlook at linebacker, plus the Broncos want Adam Troutman back.

Starting point is 00:01:09 Are the Broncos running it back? Or is this just going to be something that is setting up a potentially disappointing free agency? We hope that's not the case. I'm Cody Roar, Credential Broncos reporter from all high sports. It's always by Sarah Bedinger, site expert over there at predominantly orange.com. Today's episode of shows brought to you by our friends over there, the GameTime app, download the GameTime app, print account, use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase.

Starting point is 00:01:31 Sarah, you know, usually right before NFL free and see our good friend, Mike Clis, always puts out his primer for free agency ahead of all the madness. And when you look into it, usually there's some good nuggets. Cliss is very, very well connected on a lot of situations. The man works harder than a lot of people, I think, even understand. I had the chance to get the no mic work alongside him daily when we are in season on the beat. So that's always a fun thing to see. But I tell you what, I think the overall vibe coming out of his primer set up maybe a disappointing off season. If things work to play out the way that maybe he outlines the Broncos could go. Let's start off with the running back position.

Starting point is 00:02:12 Yeah, the eternal optimist in me, Cody, is saying that this is a classic situation of under promise and eventually over-deliver, right? Because there's no excuse for the Broncos approaching this off-season with hesitance or, you know, just a sort of fear of spending or feeling like they've got everything figured out. Peyton said at the scouting combine, he was very clear. He's like, I'm not naive enough to not look back at this season and realize that we won a number of one score games that could have swung either way. And he said improvements are needed.

Starting point is 00:02:45 And he laid out specific areas. He's like, we need more takeaways. Our run game has to be more consistent. And so starting with the running back position, like the Broncos, it would be a surprise, according to Mike Cliss. If the Broncos were in on high priced free agents, this report from Cliss flies directly in the face of what we've heard from national guys who are saying, hey, like the Broncos are going to be in on the big name running backs and free agency.

Starting point is 00:03:11 They were in on Breece Hall if he would have hit free agency. Breast Hall was interested in them. Those were the reports that we were hearing and seeing. And now it's shifted to, hey, how about Kenneth Walker and Travis ETN and these higher priced free agents? Well, Clis is now dumping some cold water on that idea and saying it would be a surprise if the Broncos were in on any of those guys. And Cody, to me, I'm just sitting here saying like, okay, the name he threw out there was Kenneth Gainwell.

Starting point is 00:03:39 If that's the solution for the Broncos at running back based on the way that we saw things play out last season, like not only would that be a disappointment, but you and I love to use this phrase, roster malpractice. I mean, we'd be using that phrase a lot more if that was the case. Yeah, no, I'm with you there. And look, obviously Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports very well connected said that the reason the New York Jets placed the franchise tag on Brees Hall was specifically to prevent the Denver Broncos for making a push at him. And I believe that.

Starting point is 00:04:09 But he also threw out in there too, like the ETNs, even mentioned Tyler Algear potentially as those names. I mean, I understand it too. And look, I understand that there are fans are like, I don't want to pay this running back $14 million per year. Like if you want, what have we been talking about here for the last, I don't know, year, almost two years with the Broncos run game. The Broncos need a back that can just hit downhill.

Starting point is 00:04:32 and that could be a dog. Denver needs a dog there. And of course, J.K. Dobbins. I don't want to undersell what he did. J.K. Dobbins was an electric part of the Broncos offense. He was a very, very important piece. And I felt like right when his injury happened, he really started to get things going here for Denver's run game. I don't want to ignore that. But this is the time to push all your chips. And what have we seen? If the Broncos believe so much in their offensive line that they believe, hey, we graded this, we graded this, the highest position unit on our team. We'll guess what you need to do. You need to have a back that can work alongside that that can help RJ Harvey continue to grow. If Denver were to just say, hey, like, we're just going to settle

Starting point is 00:05:11 for Kenneth Gainwell to pair alongside RJ Harvey. Sarah, I would be sick. I would be like, what are the Broncos doing? And look, understandably, so I have to look at it from like, what is it that they see in that? Like right now, trying to sell that to me, I'm not, I'm not interested. No, I'm not either. I think that, look, I can just see the report. coming out, right? It's like the Denver Broncos have a great free agent running back. Kenneth and everybody in Broncos country rejoices and then they see the Gainwell part and it's just like, oh my gosh, what are we doing? You know, like that's the torturous kind of thing that can happen at free agency. So I just think that would be funny to see play out. But look, like Kenneth Gainwell is

Starting point is 00:05:54 not a bad player, really good, really good running back, like a pass catching back, who does sort of fit that mold if the Broncos are looking to. to, you know, potentially add. But that's what, this is the one guy that I would say, as folks have said like, well, don't go after Travis E.TN. He's redundant with RJ Harvey or, you know, that type of stuff. Like Kenneth Gainwell truly is a redundant type of player when you have RJ Harvey, who you're banking on his progression and his development in the offense.

Starting point is 00:06:23 So I just, I don't think that's the way the Broncos need to go. And I also empathize and understand that not 100% of the fan base is on board with paying big money to a running back. Like, I get that. And I think that that's a valid opinion as well. But I would just say that, look, be careful what you wish for because we've talked about on this show and plenty of other shows that, hey, if the Broncos had Kenneth Walker in the playoffs for just one game last year, if they had him available against the Patriots, they win that game.

Starting point is 00:06:54 I mean, I'm not trying to just throw out hypotheticals because you can. What I'm saying is that fourth and one, I mean, you hand it off to a. running back that can run the ball. You can poke holes in all these backs however you want to. Well, Kenneth Gainwell stinks at pass protection. Oh, Travis ETN is not a in between the tackles type of back. Oh, you know, this, that and the other about these free agents. It's like Tyler, Tyler Alger doesn't have very much experience. Couldn't get playing time in Atlanta with Bejohn Robinson ahead of him. I get all the holes that you want to poke in why it's not justified to spend money on a running back. But the Broncos are in a Super Bowl window. You have

Starting point is 00:07:31 to make moves to say screw the process of whatever you think is like wise from a roster building perspective. Like within reason, of course, I'm not saying to go out there and overpay for every guy that hits free agency. But if you're not aggressive in addressing the holes on this team, like both George and Sean said running back is a hole on this team, like that would just be stupid to me. Yeah. No, I'm with you too.

Starting point is 00:08:00 And my idea is power back, power back, power back. This game, as we have seen historically in some of the biggest moments in Super Bowls, particularly this last Super Bowl, the game is won in the trenches, so to speak. Defensively, you know, being able to get after a quarterback, pressure them, shut down a run, operational way the Seahawks shut down the New England Patriots offense and flustered Drake May, that was part of it. But you know what also won that game, Seahawks offensive line wearing down that defense of the Patriots, which is very good. but Kenneth Walker breaking off some big runs. And we all forget, Kenneth Walker had a 70-yard touchdown, literally called back to a holding call that he would have probably went over 200 yards

Starting point is 00:08:40 if that were the case in the Super Bowl. So I think anytime you can get a game-changing dynamic back, if the Broncos believe that they have a good enough roster, which I believe they do, but I still believe upgrades are necessary, you go out there and you get a really good running back this year. That needs to be something that changes inside of Denver's offense. And Broncos country, make sure you let us know your thoughts here, on what Cliss's little primer ahead of NFL free agency.

Starting point is 00:09:05 And if the Broncos were to just settle on a running back like Kenneth Gainwell, how would you feel about that? In our opinion, it would be a little bit of a start of a disastrous offseason here for the Denver Broncos. But another thing in Cliss's primer indicated that the Broncos, they want to bring back both Alex Singleton and Justin Sternad. But what does that mean for addressing the linebacker position? We'll debate that more here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode, Locked on Broncos is brought to you by our friends over there at the GameTime app.

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Starting point is 00:09:54 I jumped into the app the moment that J. Cole tickets went on sale and I got my seats as quick as I could. inside the GameTime app. And plus you get to see all the prices up front. So there's no hidden fees. What you see is what you pay. And on top of that, you can even see what the view of the venue is going to be like from your seat with their panoramic seat view feature. Two taps. You have great seats locked in fast, easy and done. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets, download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account, redeem code, L-O-C-E-D-O-N for $20 off. Download game time today. It sure sounds like the Denver Broncos are setting themselves up to run it back at the linebacker position.

Starting point is 00:10:36 According to Mike Cliss and his free agency primer, the team is making resigning Alex Singleton a priority. And they would also like to bring back Justin Sternad. We're going to break that down as well as other options that he threw out there for the linebacker position this off season coming up on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos with Broncos Country. Thanks so much for making us your first listen of the day every single day. We appreciate all you every dayers out there rocking with us. You know that at lockdown Broncos, there's no such thing as the offseason. It does not exist. And if you haven't already done so, we encourage you to check out the everyday or all access club because free agency, it's here.

Starting point is 00:11:12 And so are we. Cody and I have already joked about being parked at our desks during NFL free agency. We hope the Broncos are extremely active. We'll have plenty to react to no matter what. But right now, you can get one month free of the everyday or all access club with the code free agency. All one word, no spaces. is free agency now through March 15th. That's one month free.

Starting point is 00:11:31 You go ad free with the show every single day. And you can keep the conversation going with other Broncos fans on Discord. The link will be in the show notes. And you can also go just directly to lockdown broncos. Dot supercast.com. One month free, Cody. That's pretty big time. I do a lot of one month trials.

Starting point is 00:11:49 Amen. And I think this is a great opportunity. So especially during free agency where, I mean, shoot, the listeners might be getting ad free episodes of us talking about the team resigning Alex Singleton in the near future here because I think what Mike Kliss is reporting is that the Broncos seem to be making resigning Singleton a priority. I know Zach Stevens at DNVR has also reported that. It does seem like the vibe is that Singleton back in debt, like Singleton, the way that he

Starting point is 00:12:17 was talking after the season sounded like coming back was a foregone conclusion as well. You and I have discussed this. Like we're not opposed to Singleton coming back necessarily, but it does. feel like the price that it's going to cost. Everybody's saying he's going to get a substantial raise from his six million salary last year. So like to me, that's part of the problem here. But also there's so many upgrade possibilities out there.

Starting point is 00:12:43 I mean, running it back, that just isn't, I don't know, what are your thoughts on what Cliss had to say here? Yeah, I mean, I felt like that scenario that he outlined about, you know, Denver bringing it back Sternat and Singleton. I was like, okay, I mean, you are running it back if that's. the case, but he also indicated in that that there was a chance that if that were to happen, the Broncos could cut Drey Greenlaw. And in my opinion, I'm going to give the Drey Greenlaw experience another year. I think if healthy, right? And I know that's a huge if. That's an asterisk

Starting point is 00:13:11 there. I understand that. I think that he can be an impact player when healthy. And Broncos country didn't get to see all of that last year. But to run it back with the same unit that's kind of been around since what, 2022. That to me, I think would be a little frustrating, considering that, you know, when you look at Denver's defense, I think some people will say, hey, like linebacker was probably the weakest link of the defensive positions there that Denver has had. I think maybe at times that has been valid. I will say, and not to defend Singleton here, I don't need to. He doesn't need me to defend him.

Starting point is 00:13:44 But there are times where Broncos fans think he's in man coverage and he's really not. People are like, oh, that guy caught a pass. Singleton, he's cooked, he's burnt. I think there's so much missing context behind how aggressive Denver's defenses and how dynamic the coverages are, that sometimes the linebackers are the easy pick on them button. But you are right, Sarah. This is a position that does need to be upgraded.

Starting point is 00:14:06 When we talk about the Broncos needing a run-stuffing linebacker, Drake Greenlaw certainly can be that. I mean, I look at Justin Sternat. He was a run-stuffing linebacker. He had countless TFLs over the course of the last handful of seasons, and he was their best blitzing linebacker in terms of getting after the quarterback. I think that dynamic has to present itself. And nothing against Alex Singleton,

Starting point is 00:14:25 but really I think this season he had a sack but I think it was more so of a cleanup, touch up sack, whereas the Broncos have blitzed him numerous times and he hasn't really been able to get home on the QB. I don't know if that's just me nitpicking or whatever may be, but I understand the value of Singleton as a leader, as a captain, you know, guy plays with his hair on fire, dudes tough as nails. I don't think anyone's going to dispute that ever. But at some point here, the Broncos had to look toward the future at this position,

Starting point is 00:14:54 considering true Sanders is a huge question mark. You have two undrafted, three undrafted rookie free agents right now, Karen A Reid, Jordan Turner, and obviously Lavelle Bailey. That right there doesn't scream confidence for the Broncos depth in the event of an injury at this position. No, I think and Clis touched on that as well. He talked about the fact that this team not only needs to address the starting lineup at linebacker, but also probably get one or two new special teams contributors because, yes, It's cool to have undrafted guys make the roster, but it's probably time to start having some drafted players on this roster, you know, at the linebacker position.

Starting point is 00:15:31 And so I think regardless of what the team does in free agency, even if they go after Devin Lloyd or, you know, somebody, the Kobe Dean or, you know, players at the top of the market, Caden Ellis, who I've mentioned and bang the table for all offseason, even if they go after guys like that, I think it's crucial to draft a couple of players at this position. because special teams is crucial. And especially when you're trying to win a Super Bowl, you have to have guys who can make big plays now in the kick return game. You have to have guys who can make plays in the punt return game. You have to have athleticism at this position. And how crucial is it in Vance Joseph's defense to have linebackers who can blitz, linebackers who can make plays at and behind the line of scrimmage?

Starting point is 00:16:15 That's where I think Alex Singleton is maybe, you know, not necessarily the top. option to me is, you know, there's better blitzing linebackers. There's better pass rushing linebackers. And this is a heavily, you know, the defense for Vance Joseph is heavily oriented towards linebackers with that skill set, being able to attack the line of scrimmage and take advantage of what those defensive linemen are doing up in front of you. The Broncos defense has been at its best when Vance is in his bag when it comes to blitzing,

Starting point is 00:16:46 right? I think you and I would both agree on that. Yeah. It's not necessarily when they're rushing for. and dropping the linebackers into coverage. It's when those linebackers are making place. And so that's where I think, like, we talked about nightmarish scenarios

Starting point is 00:17:01 and we talked about dream scenarios on yesterday's episode of the show. I think that what we really need to focus on here is how many upgrades are available out there. There's just too many for me to say, let's run it back, especially because you tried to upgrade with Greenlaw last year. And Cliss is suggesting that he could also be cut.

Starting point is 00:17:20 Yeah. Yeah. And to me, you have to upgrade this position. Even if you do bring Singleton or Stern ad back, you need to upgrade this position beyond. Because look, let's say it doesn't work out with Dr. Greenland. I mean, after this year, the Broncos could easily move on, right?

Starting point is 00:17:35 Drew Sanders entering the last year of his deal. And then you have the three undrafted rookie guys that you have there, more likely, you know, one of those guys may be on the 53, but this is one of those positions, Sarah, where I'm with you, you sign a starter, you sign a depth guy that can be a starter for you, that are proven, that has played so far. far in the NFL. You need that in today's game. The Broncos need that type of insurance, I think, at that position specifically because, I mean, what was it? Even, I'm trying to

Starting point is 00:18:01 remember what year was. Remember when, was it 2020 or 2021? The Broncos had to play the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night football. I think Baker Mayfield didn't play in that game, but their linebackers were hurt, banged up. I think it was Alexander Johnson. I can't remember who the other guy was at that time, maybe Josie Jewel. They were banged up to the point where the Broncos were relying on Sternad, who didn't have a lot of experience. And I can't remember Curtis Robinson, another guy, an undrafted guy.

Starting point is 00:18:28 And what do we see? Just absolute chaos for the Broncos. And I even think at times last year, after a couple of injuries, you and I were going into a week, especially after Justin Sternad got hurt. We're saying, all the Broncos are going to this matchup against the Chiefs potentially without Sternad.

Starting point is 00:18:44 And it's what is going to be, Drake Greenlaw and I think Lavelle Bailey or something at your potential starters. Luckily, Sternad, thank goodness he returned for that game. And we arguably saw the Broncos best linebacker performance of the year from two of those guys. I'm on board. Like my wish list would be bring back Sternat as a starter or sign a guy like Devin Lloyd in

Starting point is 00:19:05 free to pair alongside Drey Greenlaw. To me, that is what is needed to move the needle for this Broncos defense that absolutely has to continue on their pace if the offense is going to take a step forward. Let's keep in mind also that, I mean, and I'm not trying to. to, I'm not trying to pile on this guy. I'm not. I really am not. I know that we've, we, Alex Singleton had a torn ACL early in the 24 season as well. So we're talking about, we saw how very valuable.

Starting point is 00:19:31 We saw how very valuable absence impacted that. Yeah. Yes. Yes. There's no doubt. His absence was notable because the team did a poor job of constructing the roster behind him. That's, that's part of the problem that we're talking about here. And it's, it's just, I, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:19:50 I don't know what the solution is going to be, but I don't know what the team is actually going to do. I don't know if Singleton is going to see all the stuff from the fan base. I'm sure he sees plenty of it, Cody. I'm sure he gets informed of plenty of it. I wonder how much that'll inform his decision as well. But at the same time, it's like, you know, the Broncos, they've got to, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:20:11 I once again, I don't want to get too pre-ticked off before a free agency about the team's process. Because ultimately, like, let's see. what happens. Let's see how things play out. But I just, the guy had a torn ACL in the 2024 season. He, he's obviously dealt with a lot. He's over the age of 30. There's other options out there. I just, I get wanting continuity. But man, why not, why are we not bringing JFM back into the mix? If we're so hell bent on continuity. Why are you not trying to bring him back? I,

Starting point is 00:20:42 I just think that that's, he's more valuable in my opinion. Yeah, I, yeah, I just, I don't know. I'll, I'll, I'll save the rest of my rant. for the tight end position because what Cliss had to say about that was also quite disappointing in many ways. Well, Sarah teeted up perfectly well. The Broncos plan is to bring Adam Troutman back into the mix this offseason at the tight end position. And it is a move that is considered widely unpopular. We'll tell you why that would be a disaster if that is the Broncos priority at that position here on today's episode of the show. Today's lockdown Broncos is brought to you by friends over there at TurboTax.

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Starting point is 00:21:50 walking in and meeting a real person and walking out knowing your taxes are being handled right. Head to turbotax.com slash local to find a store near you and book your appointment. Tight end is one of the positions that Denver Broncos have to upgrade this off season. And while George Payton and Sean Payton have indicated they would like veteran tight end Adam Trotman back, that shouldn't be their first priority at this position. I want to say thank you once again to everyone in in Broncos country. All the every day is out there for tuning in making us your first listen. As always, we appreciate you so much.

Starting point is 00:22:20 Sarah, let's talk about this. I think everyone in Broncos country agrees that tight end is going to be very important for Denver to address this upcoming season. Now, Nate Adkins, I believe, is a restricted free agent. You have some controller. Lucas Crowell, I think, is a restricted free agent as well for Denver. And you have Adam Troutman who set to hit unrestricted free agency, played the most snaps out of any tight end for the Broncos last season. Only 20 catches, though, on 23 targets, despite playing. over 600 snaps of offense.

Starting point is 00:22:51 And I feel like, sir, with Davis Webb now calling the plays, there will probably be more of a concerted effort to get Evan Ingram going. But this is a room as well that you can make the same argument. They need to revamp this room entirely in terms of depth and the options and guys that can contribute right away. And I think the frustrating part is, is that just like with linebacker and just like with running back, the opportunity is right there to revamp the room. I mean, your guys are free agents.

Starting point is 00:23:19 So nobody would blame you for starting over. You have starters who are hitting free agency. You don't have to bring those guys back. You can look at last year and say, hey, we struggled at this position, that position, and the other one. We can go after upgrades because they're all available in free agency. So that's my tension and frustration with the tight end position is that Adam Troutman, Sean Peyton's joking at the end of the season, like, yeah,

Starting point is 00:23:45 he needs five catches to reach an incentive. And I told them like, that's your season total. So we need more of a difference maker as a receiver, if that's the jokes that we're telling at the end of the season. I know that it is funny, but like was Troutman that good of a blocker last year to justify that kind of wise crack, you know, from Sean Payton? I don't think so.

Starting point is 00:24:05 I just, if we're talking about the run game and the run scheme being an issue and not necessarily being able to just plug any running back in and, oh, yeah, run behind Troutman. He's one of the best run blocking tight ends in the game. Like, nobody's talking like that anymore. So I just, that's what I'm concerned about is we're running it back for the sake of running it back. Like we talked about this earlier in the off season, but just continuing with this idea of Sean Peyton's guys, I will say that the one, let's, let's talk about the good news from Mike Kliss's report here, which is that it seems like Evan Ingram is in line for a bigger role like Davis Webb now that he's calling.

Starting point is 00:24:47 plays is going to make a more concerted effort to get Evan involved. There's no real concern about Evan not being on this team for anybody who's maybe wondering about his status. And also there was a nugget in this little section about tight end, about the Broncos maybe going after young players like Kate Otten and Isaiah likely. And those guys could make some sense. But it seems like all signs right now are pointing to Troutman. Yeah. If that's the first move, I feel like that would certainly be disappointing because then that really means that the idea on papers, well, you're bringing back your tight end and had the most snaps on the team. So that status quo is probably going to remain the same.

Starting point is 00:25:25 I wouldn't be mad if the Broncos brought Troutman back. But if that's not the, like not as the first tight end move, if you catch what I'm saying here. I saw something on Twitter the other day from Joe Mahoney. He posted something where he used comparative stats on RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, running the football. And when the various different tight ends are in, when Evan Ingram's in, when Adam Troutman, in and the yard per carry average for either Troutman or J.K. Dobbins, it necessarily wasn't great when Troutman was in. I mean, it was better for those guys when Mercedes-Lewis was in, but you're not paying Mercedes-Lewis to come back and be this guy when he couldn't even crack the active roster

Starting point is 00:26:03 primarily because Denver had other needs at other positions, you know, especially where he's at in age. It's great to see him block you. I mean, you can make the argument. He was a very good blocker there for Denver in that category. Denver needs a guy, and I understand these guys just don't grow and grow out of nowhere. But Denver needs a guy that's got some hybrid capability of being able to run block and also be an effective pass catcher. It's hard to find, I think, in today's game because the tight-in position has kind shifted to a hybrid wide receiver, so to speak, for most guys.

Starting point is 00:26:34 This is where I wouldn't be surprised at the Broncos maybe conduct a trade at some point. But my whole thought on this whole Troutman conversation is if he's the first move at this position, it is uninspiring to me. And that would create some frustration. I think in my eyes, I know in yours, I'm curious to see how Broncos country feels as well. Yeah, and a lot of this could be also, you know, waiting for the future in terms of these upgrades.

Starting point is 00:26:57 As far as like Mike said in his post there, that the Broncos would ideally like to resign Trotman and then find another potential joker at tight end in the first three rounds of the draft. And so it's the idea of delayed gratification, but also like the draft, makes no promises, right? I think it's easy for us to sit here and say,

Starting point is 00:27:19 just like last year going into free agency, oh, don't necessarily go after, and last year's free agency class was way different, but this is just an example. Don't sign any free agent running backs. Just draft somebody from this awesome class because, well, there's Quinn John Judkins and Amerihan Hampton and Ashton Genty and, you know, there's all the, you know, X, Y, Z and the other.

Starting point is 00:27:40 And then the Broncos must have missed out on their top guy because then they trade back a number of times. That's the impression that you gave by trading back to get RJ Harvey. Multiple times you traded back. You're sitting there saying we're okay if we don't get him, but we'll take him here because, well, we're done trading back for the time being. That doesn't scream necessarily like this guy was at the top of our board.

Starting point is 00:28:04 That screams like we missed out on our top guy. And this is kind of how we're dealing with that. So I don't know if that was Gentie or whoever it was, Cody, but it just feels like the Broncos, you know, they, they, they, they, just like fans, we can't get married to one opportunity or one option, I should say. You can't get married to one option and just say, well, you know what, I guess if we didn't get our top option, we're, we're not going to do anything. We didn't get to trade up for Colston Loveland.

Starting point is 00:28:35 So we're not going to take anyone until Caleb Loner in the seventh round. Like, to me, that's like throwing a fit if you're a little kid, you know, and I'm not saying, I'm not trying to be negative about Caleb Loner or RJ Harvey or anything like that. What I'm saying is that if you miss out on your top option, you have to have another plan that you can say this was plan A all along. Well, remember, too, it was widely reported that the Broncos would have loved to take Ashton Jendy, but they were never going to be in a position to take him at any way, shape, or form in the NFL draft last year, considering where Denver was at 20th overall.

Starting point is 00:29:11 Now, I think knowing that information, right, knowing that they wanted a bigger power style back like that, that's not Omerian Hampton. That was not, I mean, Omerian Hampton doesn't necessarily compare realistically to Ashton Genty in any way, shape, or form. But it also goes back to the rumor of Sean Payton wanting Josh Jacobs in 2023, a bigger style back like that. Breece Hall, obviously Broncos have interest in him. He had interest in Denver, the franchise tag muddies the waters on that. I think Denver still does go out and do that because they've shown us they want to do it. And to your point of what you said in the squat show, you don't want the Broncos to be almost players on some of these key guys in free agency. Ah, you know, almost had this guy, but they ended up settling for this guy.

Starting point is 00:29:56 I think when you look at running back, tight end, linebacker, they can't be almost players for some really good players that could upgrade this roster and help them significantly this upcoming season. That's the hill I'm dying on here and look. Obviously, there's rumors. This is smoke and mirror season all across the NFL. So we'll just have to wait and see how things unfold and develop here for the Denver Broncos. But Broncos country, Monday is the legal negotiating period where deals will start to come through for various free ages. They won't be official into the new league year begins, but deals can now be agreed upon in principle, not official till Wednesday at 2 o'clock p.m. Mountain time. Will the Broncos be active on Monday? That is our hope.

Starting point is 00:30:40 And look, you know, we're going to have you covered every step of the way here, locked on Broncos to keep your needs going. For NFL free, NC frenzy, Sarah and I, we are parking at our desks. We're going to be created content left and right. So if you want more Broncos content, this is the place to be. We got to cover there. But with that said, Broncos country, that'll wrap up today's episode of the show. Sarah, myself will see you on Monday for a legal negotiating period preview.

Starting point is 00:31:04 And maybe the Broncos will have some things coming. down the works there by the time Monday comes around. We have you covered. We appreciate you and we'll see you next time.

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