Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - THEORY: Why the Denver Broncos Are RUNNING IT BACK In NFL Free Agency

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos plan is to run it back a lot of the key positions we all thought were biggest needs. We're going to look into why. That is the case here on today's episode, Locked on Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked on Podcasts Network, part of the Lockedon Podcast Network. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Happy Thursday, Broncos country. Welcome to another episode of Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. The number one sports podcast network in the country.

Starting point is 00:00:33 Thank you to all you every day. out there for making us your first listen. However, you choose to do so here. Running it back has seemingly been the theme for the Devere Broncos this week as NFL free as he has began. And we're going to look into why the Broncos are deciding to run it back on the offensive side of the ball, why they're looking to run it back with the defensive side of the ball and keeping continuity intact.

Starting point is 00:00:52 And on top of that, the Broncos may be still interested in adding some veteran depth according to reports. We'll look at all that here on today's episode of the show. I'm Cody Roarck, Credential Broncos reporter from my high sports. Join, as always, by Sarah Beninger, expert from the orange.com. Sarah, I mean, obviously, as free agency continues to happen, the Broncos have really not made an outside move. Their focus has been on internal guys.

Starting point is 00:01:13 And that has been, I think, a widely split subject here in Broncos country. There's a portion of the fan base that is fine with it. There's a portion of the fan base that is angry and irate at it. If we talk about either side, we're either called too positive or called two negative. So it's a lose-lose for us here. So we're just going to try to get into the minds that George and Sean Peyton here. Maybe we can look at the reasons why the Broncos are looking back at running it back here. Let's start off on the offensive side of the ball, particularly at tight end. Well, I think when

Starting point is 00:01:42 you look at this tight end position, Cody, the run it back concept has to involve Evan Ingram getting more targets. I mean, obviously you're running it back with that entire room now with the news breaking on Wednesday that Lucas Crowell was also getting resigned to a one-year contract after the team had already brought back Nate Adkins. They brought back Adam Troutman. And Evan is the one guy who you could legitimately make an argument that, okay, if he gets used properly, you are upgrading that position group with the guys that you currently have. And so that's really going to be the thing that we hang our hats on until the Broncos do make an addition, if they make an addition at that position at this point, which

Starting point is 00:02:24 it's honestly, Cody, I mean, you know me. I'm the eternal optimist, never really pessimistic, never cynical about stuff. I'm extremely disappointed by this, that the Broncos are approaching this the way that they are. Although I know Davis Webb, you know, he played with Evan in New York. And there's some thought that,

Starting point is 00:02:43 okay, Davis getting the play calling duties for the Denver Broncos and having more of a say in the game plan and, you know, really how players are utilized. That might help some of these internal names emerge this coming season,

Starting point is 00:02:57 regardless if they're experienced veterans or if they're young players. Evan Ingram just there's so much meat left on the bone from last year. Didn't even play 50% of the snaps was really not used properly. So I think from that vantage point, you can see, okay, we're going to run it back with these guys. And Evan is going to give us more in his second year in Denver than we saw in 2025. That was my thought. I mean, that's really the gamble.

Starting point is 00:03:21 I think that the Broncos are taking here. And I think it's okay to do that, right? But here's also maybe another thing, too, that, you know, even though that Nate Adkins, Lucas Crowell, they signed one. year deals. That doesn't necessarily guarantee that they'll make the 53-man roster. I think so much is going to be contingent upon competition at camp. And Caleb Loner, obviously, the Broncos spent a seventh round pick on him last year, and they've developed him all year long. He's going to have a chance to maybe showcase a little bit more this year. We'll see what he does with those opportunities.

Starting point is 00:03:48 They still could add to this room. But I think as time goes on, as Denver's trying to build this 90-man roster for the summer, it doesn't seem as likely as this they're going to add another tight end, at least in free agency, to the board. Maybe, maybe in the NFL drive. I could see them doing that. Certainly, if they want to be aggressive in the draft, maybe that's what George and Sean meant, that, hey, we're going to be aggressive. Maybe that plan is being saved for the NFL draft.

Starting point is 00:04:10 That's just like the optimistic side of thinking about it. But yeah, I mean, this is a tight-in room that obviously in terms of overall catches, yards and production, it wasn't one of the best, right? Because really, the tight-in was not focused in the passing game much. Most of the time, Evan Ingram split out to the outside. He split up sometimes in the slot. They worked him in isolated some one-on-one matchups. I do think his volume will increase.

Starting point is 00:04:30 with Davis WebCall in the place here. But that is definitely the assumption I'm making here when it comes to tie it into them why they're running a back is because now it's like, hey, we didn't use Evan the right way last year. Now we're going to do that. That's my hope, right? That's the optimistic, hopeful thinking on my behalf here. Now let's go to the running back position.

Starting point is 00:04:46 Obviously, the running back with J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey's status was never in question on this roster, though they did bring back Tyler Badegh, his roster spots, not also guaranteed. This is very much a position Denver still could add to in free agency or in the NFL draft. I think a lot of Broncos fans are hoping they add some other names to the mix. I know Jillo McLaughlin could still return, which would mean that they really do run it back. And as we're talking about this, Sarah, it is like the two of the three biggest perceived needs that I think you, myself, other beat reporters that obviously I work with here in Denver,

Starting point is 00:05:15 we all believe that tied in running back, linebacker, those are the three biggest positions of need. I am curious to see, and we'll probably hear from this before the NFL draft from Georgia Sean Payton. We'll probably hear why a little bit in terms of why they decided to running back. But if healthy, I actually really do like the, the dual of J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey together. I felt like they complimented each other well. Sean Payton has said that he's talked to Zach Streif about maybe evolving their scheme a little bit. Maybe they go back and maybe they get some more gap style. Maybe they go more power man to man versus just the zone blocking here. That's my hope at least. Like if they can stay healthy, if JK can stay healthy, I'm okay with

Starting point is 00:05:55 them running it back with those two guys as their premier two backs. And it is a big if. I mean, there's no question about it. I know that JK has taken issue with that. Justifiably so. I mean, it's his career. It's his, you know, health that that's being discussed publicly, which I can only imagine what that's like as a competitor to have people criticizing the amount of money that you're

Starting point is 00:06:16 making just because, well, you've been injured in ways that are out of your control. So I get it from J.K.'s perspective, but I also do get it from the detractors perspective, who are saying, like, you guys are banking on. on somebody who has average seven or eight games a season in his NFL career. And so I understand that vantage point. But look, the reality is is that when Travis E.T.N. and Kenneth Walker flew off the board, there was nobody better than J.K. Dobbins. And frankly, J.K. is probably better than both of those guys when healthy.

Starting point is 00:06:45 And there's a reason why we were clamoring for him every single week on this show, like living in this eternal, optimistic hope that J.K. could come back at some point this season or in the playoffs. And like there's a reason for that is because he was averaging 78 yards a game and had seven total touchdowns and, you know, was running over dudes and running past dudes. I mean, he was one of the best running backs in the NFL last season when healthy. And so, yeah, that that's a big if that, you know, if you can get J.K. Dobbins healthy, I get that. And I think that's the tension that we're living in right now is that there's a large portion of Broncos country that is like, you can't bank on J.K. Dobbins being there. for a playoff run.

Starting point is 00:07:27 And if he is, that's a great bonus, but it's the same conversations that we had last off season about Dre Greenlaw. How much can you really bank on his availability? Because that's just not been a top trait of his throughout the course of his career. I love J.K. Dobbins, love the signing, love bringing him back, pairing with RJ Harvey on paper.

Starting point is 00:07:47 It all looks good. But as you and I have talked about, if you're not raising the top end of the depth chart in terms of the talent, you have to upgrade the depth and the Broncos haven't done that. So they've done neither of those things. I think bringing J.K. Dobbins back was like a,

Starting point is 00:08:02 at a bare minimum, you have to do this in order to have success in the running game this season. Well, and my caveat too, to that whole conversation about even Badee bringing back is give him the ball. Like, give him carries. Like, that's the thing is don't make the game plan so one-dimensional. When he's in, everyone knows it's a passing play. He's either going to catch a screen pass or he's going to be in there to block. It's, hey, like, hand this guy the ball.

Starting point is 00:08:26 ball from time to time because he is a capable rusher. I think a lot of this stuff from a schematic standpoint will change with Davis Webb calling plays. I'm curious to see how, and I'm curious to see how Sean's influence obviously still impacts maybe some of these things in terms of the flow of the play calling, but we're just trying to make sense

Starting point is 00:08:42 of why the Broncos are choosing to run it back here with their group. And granted, folks, yes, they won 14 games last season. They did a fantastic job. Yes, they won a lot of one score games. Those could have easily flipped, but they didn't. Like, the Broncos, they capitalized. They took advantage of other teams mistakes. They found ways to win. They were clutch when it mattered. That's important about this

Starting point is 00:09:00 Broncos team. And as everyone else is getting better around the AFC and in the NFL, it's important to continue to raise the stakes, raise the bar a little bit. And that's what we're doing here. So if we're talking positive about some signings, it doesn't make us like overly positive spin doctors. And if we're questioning the team's approach sometimes, that doesn't make us toxic or negative. We're having conversations here. It's also getting you involved in the show as well. So Brockos country, share your thoughts as to why you think Sean Payton, George Peyton and the Broncos offense are running it back at some of the biggest perceived positions of need. Coming up next, we're going to play the same exercise here with the Broncos defense.

Starting point is 00:09:33 This one makes a little bit more sense in comparison to the offense, and we'll tell you why. You're on today's episode of the show. Pandu is the sponsor of today's episode, Locked on Broncos and college basketball, folks. It is nonstop. Big games, tight spreads, momentum swings every single night from early tip-offs to late night, West Coast shootouts. There's nothing better, and there's always action on the board with college hoops.

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Starting point is 00:10:25 style now with more upside behind it. Head to Fanduu.com to get started. That's Fanduil.com. Fanduil, play your game. It might be questionable for the Denver Broncos to run it back offensively, but on defense, you want to bring back as many guys as you can from one of the top units in the entire league. And that's exactly what the Broncos are doing from the coaching staff on down.

Starting point is 00:10:47 Vance Joseph, he's going to be back calling the defense and the majority of the starters are back as well. Broncos country, we're going to talk about that and much more coming up on today's show. You know during NFL free agency, even though it's been a little bit of a dead zone for the Denver Broncos in terms of outside additions. You know what? There's always going to be stuff that we have to talk about here at Lockdown Broncos. There is no offseason here at Locked on Broncos. We want to invite you to join the Everydayer All Access Club.

Starting point is 00:11:15 Free Agency is here. And you can get one month free. Now is the perfect time to try this out. The Everydayer Club with the Code Free Agency. One month free with the code free agency, no spaces. Now through March 15th, you can go ad free with the show and you can keep the conversation ongoing with other Broncos fans on Discord, which is pretty cool as well. Check out locked on Broncos.supercast.com or visit the link in the show notes for more information there. Cody, I don't love the continuity offensively.

Starting point is 00:11:48 I think we're a unit like that. We talked about it. And I'm sure folks can hear the disappointment coming from us. It's undeniable at this point. But defensively, there's no question. I mean, you want to retain as much of that unit as you can. I know that a lot of Broncos fans are disappointed about the linebacker position. So maybe we start there bringing back Justin Sternad and Alex Singleton.

Starting point is 00:12:10 I think both of those moves are viewed independently and one of them very positively, one of them not so much. But the Broncos, they're not entirely running it back. Drey Greenlaw expected to be a post-June 1 cut by the team. I don't know. What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel like the talent upgrade was worth the learning curve at the position? Or do you feel like familiarity was the way to go here?

Starting point is 00:12:33 Well, considering what Dr. Greenlaw said about Vance Joseph's defense and me knowing just how tough this defensive scheme is. And I think in particular, the inside linebackers have the toughest job inside of Vance's defense because of all the rules. It's easier for the corners, the safeties, and even the pass rushers. But it is a little bit more difficult here for the linebackers who have multi levels of responsibility. You know, they got to read the guard and see if it's run. If it's run, they got to figure out where their gap is and they have to attack it. If it's passed, they have to drop to a spot. If they're in match coverage, they have to locate who their match guy is in certain situations.

Starting point is 00:13:07 So, I mean, it is tricky. It's a lot of moving pieces, a million miles an hour. But I think Justin Sternad, his level of understanding of this defense, you and I said in the off season, like we were talking about like, I was always on board with them bringing back Sternad as a starter this upcoming season. I was kind of my preferential hope. And that was really the first move of free agency year for the Broncos in terms of retaining that and giving him a three-year deal. He knows the defense.

Starting point is 00:13:30 The good thing about Alex is Alex knows the defense as well, Sarah. And I know Alex is like the easy guy to pick on. And yes, I think we can be open to say like, hey, Alex might not be your best coverage guy in terms of a linebacker. He might be the guy that teams try to pick on in the past game. It's fair to acknowledge that, but also still fair to come out and say, hey, but he does this thing really well, right? There's times where the Broncos, you need a big play. Alex Singleton is somehow making it. I saw your clip that you posted on social media just the other day of obviously his timely tackle on James Cook,

Starting point is 00:13:59 the force to fumble to give the Broncos some momentum. He had a key interception or a key pass breakup against the Washington commanders in the game. You know, you're going to get good and bad with Alex. But you're going to get a guy who's going to play over 98% of the snaps and is hardly going to ever come out field. I understand that. I still think the Broncos have to be forward thinking at this position. I'm okay with them running it back because. you're keeping your two linebackers in who know the defense, that's fine.

Starting point is 00:14:24 One of them is a younger ascending player here in Sternad, who has developed nicely, but it's the depth behind it. Really, that's the biggest thing that you and I have really been talking about about like the disappointment at a linebacker. It's just the fact that this room behind those two guys is very questionable. And I think that's kind of why we're okay with them running it back with these two guys, but we want them to make moves with the depth. And there's no current longevity at the position.

Starting point is 00:14:48 I think that's part of the problem as well is that, you know, Sir Nad, as good as he's been in spots the last couple of years, he's also going to be 30 this coming season, right? And, you know, Alex Singleton is going to be 33, I think, this year, 32 or 33. So it's it's not like those guys are getting any younger or it's not like they're even in their late 20s at this point to where you could say, hey, like this guy's entering his prime, you know, in terms of his physical and athletic abilities. the Broncos don't have anybody behind them besides Drew Sanders, who's a complete wild card at that position and entering a contract year. So even if Drew makes it out of training camp, I don't know what we can expect out of him, you know, and I would love to see him, you know,

Starting point is 00:15:31 go from being a wild card to being somebody who, hey, he's back in the circle of trust, as you say when we're doing our group chat there. But I would love to see Drew Sanders get back into the circle of trust. I think that's way overly optimistic to even think that at this point, though. I think the Broncos, the big picture at linebacker is what we're really focused on here. I am willing to be patient for the draft because this is a very good draft class at linebacker. And I think if the Broncos can get somebody in the first two or three rounds at

Starting point is 00:16:01 that position, I figure that player is going to be starting by 2027. And that's an exciting proposition. at this point, it just feels like, you know, so incomplete when you let Devin Lloyd pass by in free agency and Jonah Ellis and, or excuse me, Caden Ellis, Jonah's brother, right? So you let all these guys pass in free agency. And it's just, it's a disappointment when there's potential talent upgrades out there, not that you don't like Singleton and what he's brought to the table, but it just felt like the right time with him being a free agent for the Broncos to upgrade the talent there and they're choosing not to. So that'll be interesting to see how it plays out. And you know, Cody, the loudest fans on Twitter are going to let the team know about it if it doesn't work out. Yeah, no, that's just the nature of the business and social media and the role that it plays in today's fananigans.

Starting point is 00:16:51 It is sports media, it's the sports world there. I'm with you on that. I like this year's NFL draft class. I would expect the Broncos to add. And I know it is kind of expected. I mean, our good friend Luca, who I get to interact with every day on the beat, he has reported the Broncos, we do have interest in some veteran linebackers. So we will see if they go out there and they're able to land a guy.

Starting point is 00:17:12 Because you also need guys to play special teams, right? Like if Alex and Sternad are going to be starting for you, well, Sternad is now removed off of special teams. He's one of their better players there. And we'll see what Denver obviously does in terms of, you know, seeing if they're under the radar developmental guys like the Karenne Reed, the Lavelle Baileys and Jordan Turner's, how those guys progress in their development inside of the scheme

Starting point is 00:17:34 and inside of the system. That obviously matters. But you've got to get to the game. in order to see really where that truly is, right? And we're so far away from that. And I think that's why linebacker is very frustrating in the eyes of players. Now, I think the rest of the defense, you're not, we're not climbing for any edge rush or moves.

Starting point is 00:17:48 The Broncos, they're five deep right now at that position. The secondary is in a pretty good spot of corner. You know, safety, you lose PJ Locke, but now you have confidence in young guys, Devin Key and J.O. Skinner maybe getting some more opportunities. This year's draft has options there, you know, certainly there. I think we're all still wondering how the loss of JFM is going to loom over this team, because not only do you have to replace John Franklin Myers, but you have to also add someone to the mix who can spell Zach Allen from time to time.

Starting point is 00:18:13 And right now, those two guys, well, there's three guys now. There's obviously In Yoma Owasarike, and you have Savian Jones, who was a draft pick for you. He's entering his second season. Didn't play much last year. And then Matt Henningson obviously signed back to a one-year deal after he suffered a torn Achilles in the joint training camp practice against the 49ers. Last year missed all of 2025.

Starting point is 00:18:33 So they're going with those cost-effective options there. but you have to see. You have to see what is there. And I just still feel like for me, the biggest question on defense is how Denver does replace JFM. Yeah, 100%. And it's obviously like we're talking about running it back and banking on guys progressing,

Starting point is 00:18:51 which I think that one in particular, I could see, all right, veteran edition. Like we've talked about, we've thrown out Cam Jordan's name before. That would make sense to me, even with anticipating progression from Savion Jones or Inyoimo Owasarike because you're trying to compete for a Super Bowl title and you need

Starting point is 00:19:12 veteran help on the team. You need depth like we've talked about. I mean, you've got to anticipate with your roster as constructed. You're one injury away from blank. You're one player name injury away from disaster at certain points in the season. And you have to sign guys now to protect yourself from that. And so we'll see what the Broncos end up doing.

Starting point is 00:19:32 I mean, over time, look, it's still early in the off season. And I'm telling myself that to cope as much as I am, just accepting the reality of the situation, that it is still early. I mean, it's important to be patient. We didn't have J.K. Dobbins on the roster until June or whatever it was last year. So it's just, it's a process. The Broncos are willing to be patient to get guys at the right price. And they've got to add. I mean, there's no question, Cody.

Starting point is 00:20:00 They just do. They need more talent, especially after losing somebody like John Franklin Myers. That's a huge, huge hit. to your overall pass rush and just a productive, consistent player who was out there every single week. Pressure player too. I mean, the amount of pressure he generated was very high. It was significantly bigger than obviously in Yoma, Uwazerrique, who had, you know,

Starting point is 00:20:21 quarter to the snaps to say that JFM did. They weren't too far off thing, maybe by 100 snaps defensively. But from a pressure standpoint, just not the type of player that JFM was. So we are definitely waiting to see what that is going to be like here for the Broncos in terms of bolstering the depth here defensive. I know that's not a word that Sean Peyton likes, but Denver's defense running a back might be the best thing. I am curious as well to see how the loss of BT Jordan,

Starting point is 00:20:45 the pass rushing ghost rider for the Broncos defense goes, obviously is he now actually signed on as a pass rush consultant specialist with the Dallas Cowboys and Christian Parker. So JFM, Zach Allen, they attest to everything that BT Jordan has done behind the scene. So I'm curious how that impacts Jamar Kane and that unit this upcoming season. something to ponder as we go about here, Broncos' country. But coming up next, the Broncos still have some interest in some veterans to add depth to this roster, particularly a linebacker and offensive line.

Starting point is 00:21:14 What would that do and how would that change your perception of the offseason? We'll discuss that here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode is brought to you of our friends over there at TurboTax. It's tax time. But for a lot of us, the old way of doing taxes is a lot. Trying to book an appointment that's not the most convenient sitting in a waiting room with a stack of papers, emailing back and forth and wondering if they really get your situation. But this year, you're getting a major upgrade into it TurboTax now has in-person locations

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Starting point is 00:22:17 which was one of the more wild developments we've ever seen in recent memory in the NFL. We'll talk about that maybe towards the end of today's show here. But for the Broncos, still may be interested at adding veteran depth to the offensive line and to their linebacker position, according to our friend over there, Luca Evans of the Denver Post. Curious your thoughts on this, sir, because I think, you know, them going out there and adding a veteran linebacker, I think, would be fine because, right, you have a third guy who could start for you in the event of an injury. But in the meantime, he's going to be a special teams guy, almost very similar, like what the Broncos envisioned with Cody Barton when they initially brought him in. And then injuries kind of impacted everything from that after Alex Singleton towards ACL, right? So I'm okay with having a veteran option, you know, in the mix there, while you have some of your other younger guys, you know, like the Jordan Turner's or Lavelle Bailey.

Starting point is 00:23:04 or Karen A Reid, whoever's on the active roster or a rookie this year if you draft them, while those guys get special teams reps and then maybe build a little bit of a larger role for themselves as time goes on. I'm fine with that approach here. But here's your thoughts here on if Denver were to add veteran linebacker depth and offensive line depth here. Because as we look right now, I mean, Denver's offensive line is also intact here once again this year, giving Bowknicks the same unit going into his third season. Yeah, I think that with the offensive line, what's going to be interesting is to see

Starting point is 00:23:34 when the team decides to let go of Matt Pert, if that's something that they're considering doing, because obviously he was injured last season, signed to a two-year contract. So at what point are they going to let him go because you've already paid your top six guys on the offensive line or they're already set in stone for this coming season with Palseski getting a new deal.

Starting point is 00:23:55 And then you also have Frank Crum, you have Alex Forsyth. So to me, I'm sitting here counting. I'm like, we're already up to eight guys. And we haven't even got to the draft. So who are you going to sign that's going to stay on this team?

Starting point is 00:24:08 I think even Throckmorton was signed to a reserve futures contract as well, which those, by the way, kicked in. And those players are now all on the 90-man roster as of Wednesday, officially the New League year beginning. So I think, Cody, just to me, I'm like trying to play this numbers game here. And I see, I'm like, why a veteran offensive lineman at this point? I mean, go draft somebody who could potentially start for you beyond this year, unless you're signing somebody who you feel like could be a future starter at a position for you,

Starting point is 00:24:38 that would be interesting to me. But I don't know who that would end up being at this point. We'll see what the Broncos do at linebacker. It's a similar situation. I would love to see the team get somebody who could not only come in and play some special teams, but who could potentially be a future starter at that position. I mean, and I think that that's like, once again, a very optimistic, probably far-fetched proposition given the fact that, I mean, when you're signing somebody in free agency who's a veteran at a certain, I mean, who would you look at in that group that's still out there right now? I don't know if the Panthers have brought back Christian Roseboom.

Starting point is 00:25:13 He's on the free agency list. I know these are not necessarily reported or updated in real time, but somebody like Christian Roseboom has played really well, done a lot of special teams, obviously, but also played well when he's gotten in the starting lineup. there's a lot of experience up and down this free agent list. There's also not a lot of like interesting, hey, this guy was a former first round pick and he's still young and he could be interesting. There's not a lot of those guys in free agency.

Starting point is 00:25:40 So I'm kind of wondering what would the Broncos do there to add depth and maybe even a little bit of upside for that room. Yeah, there are a couple of veteran names too. I mean, there's quite a few. As of right now, there's 55 linebackers who are unrestricted free agents available, right? And obviously Denver's not going to be in the running more likely for Bobby O'Caricay. Obviously, they're going to release Drey Greenlaw. Levante David is an older guy, not going to be able to come out there and play special teams for you here, especially as he's going to be, he's 36, probably to be 37 by the time

Starting point is 00:26:09 the season rolls around there. The names that I'm looking at would be like Willie Gaye Jr. Maybe one of those guys, Zach Cunningham, who the Broncos initially had on the roster a couple years ago, Sarah. Maybe you bring him back into the mix there to be that third guy, but also be a guy who will play special teams for. you. I mean, that's something that I would look at here. But right now, it's like, it wouldn't be like the big splash name. And I think that's what some fans want. And I understand this is a Broncos team that won 15 total games last season, if you include the playoffs. This is a team that spent a lot of money on contract extensions, taking care of key guys. And I think maybe that's why, like, there is some frustration. I think the bigger frustration from the fan base is the fact that George and Sean said, we're going to be aggressive. And it hasn't necessarily been aggressive outside of aggressively. resigning your own players, which if that's what they meant, you know, tip of the half for them.

Starting point is 00:26:59 That was like slight of hand. But this roster still needs to be improved. Like now you're at the point, you're just building out the 90-man roster. Then you're going to get to training camp, mini-camp, all this stuff. And you're going to let guys compete. Then it's going to iron itself out. So it may be an entirely different 53-man roster, but right now, a lot of the same pieces are back minus a few names here.

Starting point is 00:27:18 I wanted to ask you, kind of throwing a little bit of a wrinkleness. Like for you, who would be some names or positions that could help some spark some free agency excitement to help maybe kind of lift the spirits of Broncos country. Well, I honestly don't think it would take much at this point, right? I mean, even just one notable exterior signing, not just for the sake of it, but to upgrade these areas that we've talked about that need upgrading, like the weapons around Bo Nix, Cody, I don't understand how you can just roll with the status quo. I don't.

Starting point is 00:27:50 I was looking at the box score, sent out a screenshot to one of our group chats of the box score from the Buffalo game. And I saw 42 different, 42 targets, not 42 different players, but 42 targets in the past game. Bo Nix was the leading rusher in that game, by the way. RJ Harvey had six carries. And I believe Jilel McLaughlin had four or five.

Starting point is 00:28:11 So you're already looking at that box score and thinking to yourself, like, holy cow, this is pathetic. Even though you scored 33 points in overtime and won, Marvin Mims led the team in receiving that game. Cortland Sutton obviously got targets. And then I'm looking down up and down the list. It's like Lucas, not Lucas Crowell, but Adam Troutman, Frank Crum, we're talking about Lil Jordan Humphrey, five targets in that game.

Starting point is 00:28:36 Pat Bryant, three targets. Tyler Bidde, two targets. You know, Adam Prentice got a target. Jalil McLaughlin got a target. Like, that was the AFC divisional playoffs that the Broncos are giving targets to those players. And it's all due respect to those guys. But could, if you could go out and. sign of Joanne Jennings.

Starting point is 00:28:55 That lift the spirits pretty quick. If you could go out and sign a Dallas Goddard or a David Njoku, that lift the spirits pretty quick because it would at least be a signal from the team. Like we understand we need to get more pieces around Bo Nix with experience. Pieces that, you know, these are players who have actually produced like Dallas Goddard had 11 touchdowns last year. I believe Joanne Jennings had nine. So you go out and get some productive players who have also been.

Starting point is 00:29:23 in really big games. And I just, I, I would like that. I mean, personally. And I know a lot of Broncos fans would as well. Some others would be like, nope, depending on the price, I'd just rather run it back with these guys. Troy Franklin made strides. And he did.

Starting point is 00:29:37 He did make strides. Marvin Mims, more involvement. That would help the offense immediately. Absolutely. Agreed. But Pat Bryant was hurt a lot last year. I mean, frequently, that was a, that was an issue. Troy Franklin, he was out in the playoffs with a hamstring injury.

Starting point is 00:29:52 Marvin Mims, missed time with a concussion. I just, I don't know, Cody. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills over here, looking at this from the outside and thinking so obvious that the team should go get some more weapons for Bo Nix, and they don't seem to agree with that, which is very weird to me. Well, and I just don't understand why the fan base is getting mad at you as well

Starting point is 00:30:15 and saying that you're being negative when the reality is, how many times do post-game shows or even on Twitter, or in the conversations that other teams are having where people are like, talking bad about Bo Nix. And it was like, well, Bo Nix doesn't have help. Like, Bo Nix doesn't have a true running game. Bo Nix doesn't have any tight ends. It's like, how come when we're bringing this up in the off season

Starting point is 00:30:32 perceived as negative? But that was literally something everybody was discussing quite often through a handful of different games last year. I mean, the Broncos, we forget that Bo Nix had 30 plus drop passes by his receivers last year that would have made a huge difference. And some of the outcomes, like the fact that the offense overcame, I think a lot of the negative stuff that they did, I think it was a signal like, hey, get Bo Nick's some playmakers.

Starting point is 00:30:56 Everybody in the national media has been saying the same thing. Give Bo Nix, another playmaker, and this Broncos offense is going to be scary. I think they got the pieces. You know, if they believe in this offensive line, I want to see how they change the scheme up and evolve it a little bit to make it more run supportive at that point, if you understand what I'm saying. And then I like the duo of JK and RJ, and my hope is that they can stay healthy, right? I like the wide receiver. I know that's the thing that we always hear Sean and Dorsay.

Starting point is 00:31:19 We like the room. I understand that. But for them, they're trying to go out there and maybe add a. fifth wide receiver to replace wherever little Jordan Humphrey was. It wouldn't even surprise me if he's back and there's competition for that spot there. But it is just saying like, hey, like, go get Bo Nix some help because, you know, he was struggling. Like, because other guys were not catching the ball. And it made Bo Nix look like he was playing bad.

Starting point is 00:31:40 And look, there were times where Bo had some up and down performances. But, man, we saw an AFC championship game how much Bo Nix means to this football team. Just like the little things that he does well that we just like, I think seemingly take for granted, his ability to avoid sacks and we're sitting there watch Jared Stiddam struggle for his life against pressure. I mean, we watch that and it's like, okay, you know what? Yeah, get the Broncos a legit pass catching tight in, get them maybe a game changing downhill running back and all of a sudden they're cooking. That was the conversation from the fan base. So there are some fans that I think support that, Sarah, that's that agree with you. And then there are going to be the fans

Starting point is 00:32:14 that think that because we're questioning it, we're bringing it into discussion that we're being negative and toxic. I just don't get that. One thing that we've never been. on the show is negative and toxic. We've always kind of been in the middle. But I don't know. I mean, people are trying to characterize that as us for how we've talked about free agency so far this week. But it is what it is.

Starting point is 00:32:32 I've learned we can't win in this game no matter what. So we're just going to keep bringing our heat and bringing our perspective to the table here. But Broncos, country, let us know your thoughts here on the Broncos, whether there are some veteran options out there on offense, defense that you would like them to bring in. And if so, who are those names? Drop it in there down below here on today's episode, Locked on Broncos.

Starting point is 00:32:50 Sarah and I, we're going to have you covered for another episode of the show. show tomorrow as free agency continues. We'll see if the Broncos make a couple of moves here or there. If not, we have to cover some bigger picture stuff on tomorrow's episode of the show.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - THEORY: Why the Denver Broncos Are RUNNING IT BACK In NFL Free Agency

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