Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - FREE AGENCY: Denver Broncos RUNNING IT BACK With J.K. Dobbins?

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos have a handful of free agents coming up in March, but will they run it back with J.K. Dobbins. We'll break you down 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, your team every day. What's up, Brackos country? Welcome into another episode, Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network,

Starting point is 00:00:31 the number one sports podcast network in the country. Thanks to all you every day. out there in Broncos country. Thanks for tuning in making us your first listen. However, you choose to do so. The Denver Broncos have a handful of unrestricted free agents, and we're going to focus on the offensive side of the ball here. And we're going to beg the question,

Starting point is 00:00:48 will the Denver Broncos bring back, running back J.K. Dobbins this year in free agency. That is a widely debated topic amongst Broncos country. Plus, several of Sean Payton's favorites are set to hit the market. Will some of those guys return or will Sean Peyton let them go? us. We'll talk by the Broncos losing two of their assistant coaches to the Buffalo Bills and Vance Joseph having the perfect opportunity to stay in the Mile High City. You get all that here on today's episode show. Brought to you by our friends over there at GameTime. Download the GameTime app.

Starting point is 00:01:18 Create an account and use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase. I'm Cody Roar, Credential Broncos reporter from Mile High Sports. Do it as always by Sarah Beninger, SciExpert predominantly orange.com. We are just five weeks away from NFL free agency and we're going to look at Denver's Offensive, Unrestricted free agents. Tomorrow's episode will look at the defensive, unrestrictive free agents. But I feel like right now the big topic in Broncos country

Starting point is 00:01:42 outside of Quotegate is whether or not the team is going to bring J.K. Dobbins back next season. And I feel like there's a lot of pros and cons for this that you and I obviously break down. But let's get into this. I mean, obviously on the offensive side of the ball, Devere has a handful of unrestrictive free agents. Let's start off with J.K. Dobbins.

Starting point is 00:02:02 a man, the most productive back the Broncos have had in the last seven years, but is that enough to justify bringing him back in 2026? Right, because the injury concerns are what loom, the biggest, I think the largest for somebody like J.K. Dobbins, right? Obviously, Cody the Broncos signed him to a one-year contract. Kind of in the middle of the summer sort of felt like, I don't know that it was necessarily an afterthought, but it definitely seemed like after the draft, after the initial mini-camps and things like that.

Starting point is 00:02:33 The Broncos were kind of like, all right, we're going to need somebody else out here. And J.K. Dobbins was that guy. And it was kind of revealed after they signed him that they had been talking for months about potentially doing a deal. And of course, J.K. at the end of season, media scrum,

Starting point is 00:02:47 he said he wants to be back in Denver. Like he wants to continue playing in Denver, maybe even retire in Denver someday. I think the biggest question that I would have would be, if you resign J.K. Dobbins, does that prevent you from signing other free? agent backs. Like, we know this is a loaded class. And I don't know who's all going to make it to free agency because the franchise tag is still available for teams to use. But guys like Travis

Starting point is 00:03:11 ETN, Brees Hall, Tyler Algier, and guys haven't even gotten cut yet. So there's a lot out there right now. And there's plenty more where that came from, right? So there's a lot of free agent running backs, a lot of talent on the market potentially and a lot of opportunity. Even our old friend Javante Williams is going to be part of this free agent market. And while doubtful he comes back to Denver, obviously. He's going to help set that market financially because of how well he played this past year. So, J.K. Dobbins, like you mentioned, was on a career best path in so many different ways, right? Yards per game, he was absolutely stellar. I think he was averaging close to 78 yards per game when he went down with that injury through the first 10 games of the season.

Starting point is 00:03:53 And then he blamed the hip-drop tackle against the Raiders for the reason that his season ultimately ended. So I'm just interested to see if the Broncos do, want to bring him back, how quickly would they do that? And would they go after other guys in free agency first and say, hey, we want you back, but not right away. And then you risk potentially losing him to another team. Yeah. And look, I would say, too, I don't know how much you invested in it. I know I certainly paid attention to it. And I think, I don't know, I haven't heard a lot of people in Broncos country even mentioned this. But when we were at George Payton and Sean Payton's end of the press conference, the way they talked about JK almost kind of made it.

Starting point is 00:04:32 seem like they want him back. Like they want to bring him back. The way that Sean said, man, the loss of him was so big for us. And what he does, like not only on the field, but behind the scenes, what he means to the locker room. Like Sean mentioned that. George mentioned the same thing. And to me, to my point, I was like thinking.

Starting point is 00:04:47 I was like, JK wants to be back. It sounds like Sean and George want him back. Here's my thing, Sarah. And this kind of goes to maybe a dilemma here in Procos country. Feel free to chime in as you're listening to today's episode. But to go back to your point of, you know, would resigning a player, like J.K. prohibit you from going after or looking at other guys in free agency. I don't think it should prohibit you that, but you do have RJ Harvey.

Starting point is 00:05:11 I mean, we're talking about maybe a completely different running back room if you, you know, bring it back not only with RJ Harvey, but let's say you decide to go a different direction. Or do you keep continuity in their room with running back coach Lou A. Annie? I don't know where you go on this one. Here's my thing, right? And this is where I want to hear your thoughts on this, Sarah. Here's my question to you.

Starting point is 00:05:29 If the Broncos offered J.K. Dobbins a one-year deal, and he agreed to it, and he said that would be fine, would you resign him? To me, it is only contingent upon the fact that it doesn't prohibit you from going after somebody else because of what we've seen. Like, when Dobbins went down with the injury, it kind of threw a wrench into everything. It forced RJ Harvey to have to accelerate his growth a little bit. I don't think it should prohibit you. The only reason I'm saying do it is if, in fact, you resigned him to a one-year deal. it doesn't prevent you from going out and maybe getting a guy in the draft or free agency. That would be my contingency.

Starting point is 00:06:04 It would have to be the case, right? Because we know that, I mean, it's been rare, I think, if it's happened at all for him to finish a season in the NFL. I know that he kind of takes issue with the label of being injury prone. And I get that. I mean, I wouldn't want to be known as that either. I think injuries happen in football. We talked about that on our squad show last week, that it's just a given when it comes to the game. However, when you're talking about how big that loss was last year, I just don't feel like you can go into training camp with the idea that, all right, J.Ks are number one, R.J. Harvey's are number two. And it's going to be, you know, guys like Jal McLaughlin and whoever we bring in as like late round pick or undrafted free agent is going to be number three. And that that kind of seems like what it would be. Now, if you would say to me, okay, we're going to get J.K. Dobbins back on a one-year deal and we're going to go out.

Starting point is 00:06:56 after somebody like Tyler Algier. Now we're cooking with gas. That's what I'm talking about, because you have to have depth at this position. You and I talked about this. I think it was after the 2023 season where the Broncos had two backs that were healthy the entire year. It was Giovante Williams and Jalil McLaughlin.

Starting point is 00:07:14 Those guys played every game. They played pretty much every snap at the position other than a handful here and there. But man, that type of luck, if I can call it that in the health department, is extremely rare. And so you're not going to get that year over year. You are going to have this constant battle of who's available. How long is this guy going to be out?

Starting point is 00:07:37 And then you have to deal with the inconsistencies of each player on top of it. So there does have to be a clear pecking order. And Sean has talked about how much easier it is to involve two guys instead of three. So I wonder, well, that's where I don't know. I don't know what to like predict. If people want a prediction, right? I don't know what to predict in this way because if you resign JK, you already have Harvey who's going to have an established role this season, right? So if you resign JK, it seems like that one, two is clear.

Starting point is 00:08:08 And if I'm a free agent, I'm looking at that saying, where do I fit into that, right? Where do I fit in? So like you said, the draft is still that wildcard possibility where a rookie could come in and say, hey, I'm going to come here and steal some touches or if somebody gets hurt, I'm taking that job and not looking back. Yeah, no, I agree. And I think the one thing, too, about Denver's running back room here, if they bring back Dobbins, you have to have a clear upgrade at RB3, period. That role has to change. You know, nothing against Tyler Badegh, but, man, the Broncos need something different there at that point.

Starting point is 00:08:40 Or, you know, is JK okay with maybe just being a third down back? You know, maybe his role gets reduced a little bit. I don't know if he'd be okay with that. I mean, this is a dude who plays with a chip on his shoulder, right? But from the business side of things, you have to be smart. in today's NFL. And if you're just banking on him staying fully healthy, like you can't,

Starting point is 00:08:59 especially just at a position in general. And I would say this with any running back. It is the one position outside of D-line and linebackers that absorb the most contact per game, right? So to assume that any running back for that matter is going to be getting 17 games is kind of naive to think about when you consider the volume and the overall aspect of where they're at. And if the Broncos need to improve the run game,

Starting point is 00:09:21 we've debated whether it's scheme, whether it's personnel. this is probably the biggest mystery in the offense right now for Denver is what they do here, whether it's with JK, whether it's going out and spending in free agency. And I think if you go out and you spend a free agency, you may not be spending as much money, right? Just because of the positional value, it has dropped over time. So all these things considered, it leaves a very, very valid question here going into the offseason. How will the Broncos approach the running back position and will J.K. Dobbins be back?

Starting point is 00:09:50 Broncos country, we want to hear from you. Make sure you share your thoughts with us on today's episode. of the show. But coming up next, Sarah and I, we're going to talk about some Sean Peyton's favorites. The guys like little Jordan Humphrey, Adam Troutman, Michael Burton. These players are set to hit free agency. Will Sean Payton finally let go of some of his favorite guys. We'll debate it on today's episode of the show. Today's show is brought to you by friends over there at prize picks. The big game. It's almost here. And there's no better way to cash in during America's biggest sporting event than with prize picks where it always feels good to be right. And this week, Price Picks has a special max discount for the big game.

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Starting point is 00:11:59 Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code locked on NFL. That's dripdrop.com. Promo code locked on NFL for 20% off. Stock up now at dripdrop.com and use promo code locked on NFL. It helps to have guys you trust running your operation on the field if you're a coach like Sean Payton. But is he going to be able to continue keeping around his favorites when the Broncos clearly need some talent upgrades? Cody and I are going to talk about exactly that and why it might be time to say goodbye to some familiar faces for Sean Peyton this offseason. But Broncos country,

Starting point is 00:12:32 before we get into that part of the discussion, as well as everything else on today's show, I want to say thank you to all of you for making us your first listen of the day every single day. If you haven't already done so, Cody and I want to encourage you and invite you to sign up for the every day or all access club. One of the biggest benefits you're going to get from that is an ad-free episode of the show. Who doesn't love ad-free episodes of their favorite podcast, Cody? I know I do. So I certainly think that's one of the biggest reasons among many for all of the listeners to sign up today.

Starting point is 00:13:02 And let's get into this discussion about Sean Peyton and his favorites, right? Of course, for a brief time, it was the Denver Saints or the New Orleans Broncos, whatever you want to call them for a brief time, right? Obviously, a lot of former saints coming with Sean Peyton, like, this is the thing in the NFL, right? It's a lot about who you know. The three degrees of separation, you can play that game with pretty much everybody in the NFL. There's always some kind of connection, whether it goes way back or whether it's recent. That's huge. But for Sean Peyton to implement a culture on a team, to have guys who have already been part of that culture is essential. Now, the culture's been established, right?

Starting point is 00:13:44 2023, it all began. Here we are. We're entering the 26 offseason. Broncos country, this is the fourth year of the Sean Peyton era already. So here's my question, Cody. We're talking unrestricted free agents on the offensive side of the ball. The most notable one here who has long ties, longstanding ties to Sean Peyton, his tight end, Adam Troutman. I think this is an area that Broncos are going to look to upgrade. Is the tight end position. And I think that a lot of folks are thinking, well, it's going to be Evan Ingram. No, no, Evan Ingram's got $5 million already guaranteed on his deal. I think he's coming back. Troutman is the one spot that I think you could look and say, all right, this is where the

Starting point is 00:14:23 Broncos might have to say goodbye to a familiar face. Yeah, and it's a tough one, too, because I would say with Troutman, you get a reliable, consistent guy. I think he does a great job in the blocking game. I think he's underrated as a pass catcher. He's not a fast guy, right? But, man, I feel like with how this Broncos offense has been, Troutman has kind of been this, hey, you need like a reliable, not consistent in terms of target volume, but you need a reliable target in certain situations. I think Adam Troutman could be that guy. I just think how the Broncos have used the tight-in position under Sean Payton from a schematical standpoint.

Starting point is 00:14:59 It hasn't been really to involve them in the passing game. You know, we were in talking about towards the end of the regular season, you know, Adam Troutman against the Chargers needs five catches to hit. this incentive. And Sean's usually a guy who gives, you know, those guys, hey, you got an incentive. We're going to find a way to get you paid. But Sean Payton came out and said, like, that's what he averages per year. It's like five catches per year in a sense.

Starting point is 00:15:21 And it's like, all right, Sean, why is that? To me, I think it's more of a scheme issue than it is a personnel issue. I think Troutman, he doesn't have to be a number one tight in. But man, if you just get him the ball in a couple situations, I feel like he can move the chains for you on first down. But he's a decoy. He's a blocker. I mean, essentially, he, Nate Atkins.

Starting point is 00:15:39 and Evan Ingram this season, they were not used at all really in the passing game. They weren't even an emphasis primarily in the offense. But to me, it's like, oh, if this room is going to involve, is going to evolve. And you have these younger guys that you have on your practice squad like the Patrick Murtauggs or the Caleb loaners, so to speak. All right. Well, now you're not just assuming those guys are going to make a massive jump. Okay, what's out there in NFL free agency? What's out there in this year's NFL draft?

Starting point is 00:16:04 Is there a clear cut upgrade at this position? Right now, I'd say the only guy out there, That would be high on my list there. It would be Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon. But unlikely he's going to be that are in the Broncos pick 30th overall. So for me, I look at this and I'm saying, okay, this is the year the Broncos probably go in a different direction. If Troutman wasn't the only guy, right? Like if I had to bring back two tight ends for Denver, it would be Troutman.

Starting point is 00:16:28 It would be Ingram, right? If both those guys were available and we're hitting the Freedancy market. But what's to say that like Sean's going to evolve? I don't know. Like it's so much of what they do offensive. I feel like is dependent upon who's calling plays. If it's Davis Webb, I think the tight-in position will get featured a lot more. If it's Sean Payton, I think we're just going to see blockers.

Starting point is 00:16:47 This one, Troutman is the hard one because I do think he brings value to what you want to do. But then there's another guy. And I'm curious for Broncos Satsu, make sure you share your thoughts on Troutman. Little Jordan Humphrey, the Broncos brought him back off the New York Giants practice squad. Look, at times this year, he came up big with a couple of big moments, had a key drop against obviously the Buffalo Bills redeemed himself in that same exact game. We hear so much about the Broncos wide receiver rooms, Sarah, and how they like them. But this is one, if you're going to upgrade that room and you're going to emphasize that in free agency,

Starting point is 00:17:18 you can't bring back a little Jordan Humphrey, in my opinion. Yeah, it's got to be, I think with any of these familiar faces, right, it's, it's really got to, we're at the fork in the road, right, so to speak, where it's like, okay, do we keep going with the familiar or do we try to upgrade on the talent, right? And I know that the Broncos have brought in other receivers, right? They have brought in other tight ends. So it's not like they've never tried to upgrade the talent. But I think it's that time where you just say like, hey, you know, with Lil Jordan,

Starting point is 00:17:48 it was really nice because he came back when the Broncos were struggling health-wise at the wide receiver position. And he ended up having to play quite a bit because Broncos had some injuries at that position. So it was nice to have somebody who knows the offense, knows what they're doing out there. I get that that part of it is beneficial. but at some point, man, you've got to stop featuring these guys in your, and this is with all due respect to those guys, because look, like they're in the NFL, I get it. They've worked hard to get to that point.

Starting point is 00:18:17 It's just the rubber's got to meet the road here, right? It's time for Sean Payton to decide, okay, do I want to continue going with my familiar guys, or am I going to teach this offense to somebody else? And I think that's where we're at with Adam Troutman, little Jordan Humphrey. I'd love to see Cody. I know I have an Iowa bias here, but if T.J. Hawkinson's available via trade,

Starting point is 00:18:39 is the Vikings just fired their general manager. That's a guy who can do some serious damage for you in line, splitting out, working as a tandem with somebody like Evan Ingram, like, let's get creative. That's what I'm saying. When we're talking about tight end, we're talking about receiver, be creative in this and bring in guys who you scout and you're saying, okay, this guy can do what little Jordan Humphrey does. This guy can do what Adam Trotman does, but he also.

Starting point is 00:19:04 offers more upside in this area. And what do the Broncos need more than anything else right now? They need guys who can catch the dang ball. They need guys who can create offense. They need guys who can prevent them from leading the league or coming close to leading the league in three and outs. Or Jeremy Croshaw having the third most punts in the NFL. That's what we're talking about upgrading here.

Starting point is 00:19:24 It's not all little Jordan Humphrey's fault. It's not all Adam Troutman's fault. But you need difference makers at these positions. And you need better top end guys. And I think those guys are nice depth to have. Those guys are nice familiar faces to have around. But you need better top-end talent, I think, at both those positions. Man, I agree with you too because, look, you made it to the AFC championship game.

Starting point is 00:19:45 Right now the envelope, you have to push it further. The expectations are going to be higher because you made it as far as you did last year. The expectation is that you get back to the AFC championship game. The expectation is that you make it to the Super Bowl next year. So while those guys played a role, you have to find a way to always upgrade. And I think that's what we're going to see here this offseason. You know, another guy to Michael Burton fullback. I know he suffered a hamstring injury in training camp.

Starting point is 00:20:11 I mean, really, it was kind of to the point. Adam Prentice kind of came in and did a really good job. I think this is the year we see them move on from Michael Burton here and maybe focus on Prentice and you still have flexibility with Nate Adkins as well on your roster here. But Broncos Country, we want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on Sean Payton's favorite? Should they stay? Should they go?

Starting point is 00:20:30 And if they stay who? And if they go, who do you have them? departing ways with here in free agency. Make sure you let's know here on today's episode of the show. But coming up next, Sarah and I, we're going to sit down and we're going to discuss the Broncos. They've lost two key coaches to the Buffalo Bills. And there's a high chance, Davis Webb, Vance Joseph State will tell you all about it here

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Starting point is 00:23:04 We're going to discuss the Broncos losing a couple of assistant coaches to the Buffalo Bills and what it means for them in certain positional vacancies that they're going to have to feel. I just want to say thank you once again, everyone in. In Broncos, thanks for tuning in, rocking with us, making us your first listen. Even though there is an offseason for the Broncos, there's never an off season for the true fan.

Starting point is 00:23:23 We got you covered every day all year long with fresh episodes, new content almost every day, Broncos country. So make sure you don't miss a beat with what's going on with your favorite team. Plus, you're going to get some inside news here on today's episode of the show here. Sarah, the Broncos, they lost Jim Leonard, probably the biggest, I'd say departure from the Broncos coaching staff here this offseason, three firings by Sean Payton, but you've had two departures. So far, Jim Leonard taken over as the Buffalo Bill's defensive coordinator after the Broncos beat them in the NFL playoffs. And they lost Pete Carmichael, who was the senior offensive

Starting point is 00:23:59 assistant here for Sean Peyton. He is their offensive coordinator. So Joe Brady, the new head coach of the bills, stealing two of Sean Payton's coaches after Sean Payton, a couple of the days prior to Brady taking the head coaching job, almost had him here in the Mile High City. So maybe there was some scheming going on there from Joe Brady, but two losses here for Denver's coaching staff.

Starting point is 00:24:18 Yeah, obviously you lose somebody like Jim Leonard. That drew a ton of reaction from the fan base because Jim Leonard has been expected to be sort of a head coach in waiting for a long. time. Like he was the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin and then he was their interim head coach for a brief bit as well. And I think the expectation at one point was that he was going to be like one of the hottest head coach candidates at the college level, ended up suffering an injury, right? And then working under Brett Beelma as an assistant for I think a year or two at Illinois and then came to Denver. And so he's been on that fast track, I believe toward becoming a future NFL now head coach as

Starting point is 00:24:57 opposed to, and I guess I suppose the college ranks could come calling, Cody, but it does feel like Jim is one of those guys who he's been on that track towards eventually becoming a head coach. Now, this will be his first time calling plays in the NFL. He called plays for Wisconsin, like I said, for quite some time, but it's going to be a first year head coach in Buffalo. It's going to be a first year defensive coordinator and play caller out there. So yeah, you want to get some experience around you. That's why I think Joe brought in Pete Carmichael, because they know,

Starting point is 00:25:27 each other from New Orleans, right? That's where Sean discovered Joe Brady. For those who don't know that, Joe was, I think, a grad assistant at Penn State or something like that before Sean plucked him up to the NFL, just like he once did with Declan Doyle. And those guys are all rising through the ranks. I know

Starting point is 00:25:43 a lot of people got a lot of stuff to say about Sean Peyton, Cody. His coaching tree is expanding all over the NFL right now. Yeah, it is. And look, to your point as well about Leonard and just the viable candidate he was. I mean, even the Chargers were interviewing Jim Leonard for their DC job, which thank goodness that didn't happen. I think Jim is going to be a very bright young head coach for Buffalo.

Starting point is 00:26:08 I think he does things the right way. He cares about players. He cares about the assistant coaches that he works with in a sense. And he's not all about trying to make guys uncomfortable just to make them uncomfortable, right? There's going to be natural occurrences in this game where I think his coaching approach, he'll challenge guys, but he's never going to do things to make them intentionally uncomfortable with their role. He wants them to be able to be stress-free. So I think Buffalo is getting a great coach down there in gym. But now that opens up another vacancy on Denver staff, now all signs right now, Sarah,

Starting point is 00:26:38 Mike Lafleur ended up taking the Arizona Cardinals job, which filled the final head coaching vacancy right now around the NFL, which means that Vance Joseph is not going to be getting a head coaching job. So I imagine this means that he's going to be staying in Denver. But that does create a vacancy for Denver's passing game coordinator defensively. We already know they have a defensively. a backs coach vacancy after they fired Addison Lynch. I want Broncos fans to maybe keep an eye on the name Greg Williams.

Starting point is 00:27:04 He was the inside linebacker coach for the Los Angeles Rams this year. He previously coached with Vance Joseph in Arizona. He was actually a coach of the Denver Broncos, coach the secondary under Vance Joseph as well. So I want everyone to kind of keep an eye on that as something to watch for here as the Broncos go forward. But maybe keep an eye on Greg Williams, one G, not the two Gs, folks, not that Greg Williams.

Starting point is 00:27:28 That would be very controversial for the NFL. And I don't think Sean Payton would ever do that again. But Greg Williams, keep an eye on him as it may be a passing game coordinator candidate here for the Denver Broncos, which would be a promotion for him outside of being the linebacker coach there for the Los Angeles Rams. But, I mean, your thoughts on this too, sir, because this, I felt like Vance was a very deserving head coaching candidate this year. To me, him not getting. it. I don't know if it was, I don't know if he didn't get it or if he turned down Arizona, but to me it was like this felt like the best year possible, considering what Vance and

Starting point is 00:28:04 Denver's defense was able to do this year. Yeah, he's the AP assistant coach of the year, isn't he? I mean, he won the award. So that's crazy with 10 jobs available that he doesn't get one. So it's very interesting, especially considering he's worked for the Cardinals in the past. And I think owner Michael Bidwell is not necessarily overly well thought of amongst that fan base, Cody. And so I wouldn't be surprised if that trickled into the coaching ranks and Vance obviously works there for a few years. So he would know. So I doubt he would ever say anything negative on the record about that. But that's an interesting situation nonetheless.

Starting point is 00:28:40 And it's nice for the Broncos to be able to have him back. And like you said, the attention kind of shifts now to where did they fill those holes? I'd be very interested by the possibility that you mentioned as well. well as I know that I believe Pat Sertan, senior is coaching corners at the pro bowl games. So, you know, he just got fired as well. You never know if dad wants to come coach his son and if the Broncos would ever be open to that. We know Sean Peyton loves former players.

Starting point is 00:29:06 Who knows if that would ever happen. But I think that's, it's interesting to monitor because that's going to be a big time position group for whoever is coaching them up, whether it's past game coordinator, cornerbacks, D.Bs overall. Like that was the other type. that Jim Leonard held, right, was the defensive backs coach in Denver. So that is an opening along with past game coordinator.

Starting point is 00:29:27 I'm interested by, I'm going to throw a little curveball here at you, Cody. I saw a report from Diana Rusini talking about George Payton, potentially being considered for the Vikings general manager job because of his ties there. And not that it's a done deal or anything like that, George has one year left on his Broncos deal. This screams a little bit of leverage to me. for him to be able to get whatever he wants on his contract extension, but certainly a little nugget that was thrown out there based on his ties to that organization.

Starting point is 00:29:59 Yeah, if anything, look, I mean, George, I know has very fond ties to Minnesota still. I hope George stays here in Denver. That would be my hope. I think he and Sean Payton together, I think they know how to build a really good team, all of them, right? And to me, it's just, you know, some people are even saying, oh, look at George Payton's last draft class. Like here's my thought, Sarah, right? It's funny when Sean Payton comes aboard, everyone says, well, now look, this is Sean's draft class. George Payton shouldn't get credit.

Starting point is 00:30:27 But when it's a draft class that doesn't necessarily do well in terms of what we had just talked about the 2025 unit, and it was like, oh, look at George Payton's draft class. It's like, ah, what's the narrative? How are we going to spin this, you know, there? George, in my opinion, if anything, I think the vacancy in Minnesota opening up, I hope puts pressure on the Broncos to keep. Obviously, George Payton, now let's say hypothetically he were to go. back to Minnesota. I imagine what wouldn't,

Starting point is 00:30:53 wouldn't they have to trade for him essentially? Because he's still under contract. Would let him go, right? And that'd be the only thing. Yeah, you'd have to figure out somewhere within. Yeah. I just, I think Georgia is such a brilliant mind.

Starting point is 00:31:07 I think they need to find a way to keep him here in a mile high city. Those are my thoughts on it. But look, now it kind of opens up some dominoes. Broncos country. We are on Web watch this week here as we're waiting to hopefully find out whether or not Davis Webb gets promoted to be in the Broncos offensive coordinator after Debra conducted a couple interviews early on this week for the vacancy with Ronald Curry former or Buffalo Bill's quarterback coach.

Starting point is 00:31:30 And then obviously the Washington commander's passing game coordinator and QB's coach as well. We'll see if Davis Webb sticks. And if that does happen, will he be calling plays? It's going to be an interesting time here in Broncos country. But that'll wrap up today's episode show. For all you every day is out there. Here's what you can expect on tomorrow show. We talked about unrestricted free agents here on the offensive side on today's show.

Starting point is 00:31:51 Well, tomorrow we're going to go through the Broncos dilemma at linebacker. They've got two linebackers that are set to become unrestricted free agents. Plus, JFM, do they find a way to pay him? We'll look at the Broncos defense on tomorrow's episode, Locked on Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - FREE AGENCY: Denver Broncos RUNNING IT BACK With J.K. Dobbins?

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