2019 Broncos' Season, Recap

I opened 2019 optimistic. I thought the Broncos could be 9-7 and in playoff contention. But I also said any range from 7-9 to 10-6 wouldn't surprise me. Then this team started out 0-4, and it looked like all that optimism was mis-placed.

A funny thing happened, though. In those first four games, the Broncos were agonizingly close twice, and probably should have gotten one or two. In the end, after that 0-4 start, the team finished 7-5, including a strong 4-1 in December with Drew Lock. They went 7-9 on the season, and it looked like the optimism was right, but the luck factor didn't pan out.

That happened thanks to some blown calls, but also an offense that struggled mightily at times. Joe Flacco wasn't the answer. And after he went out in the middle of the season, the combination of Brandon Allen and Lock finished 5-3. That promising second half is a great prelude to 2020, and it was reasonable the Broncos were optimistic on the podium at the end of the season. It seemed like stability would rule the day.

Then today, the Broncos moved on from offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello. They're rumored to be moving to grab up Pat Shurmer, the former Giants' coach who has a history of great work on the offensive side of the ball. And that would make sense, as the Broncos want to build something great around the core of Lock, receiver Courtland Sutton, running back Phillip Lindsay and tight end Noah Fant, all of whom look like they could be among the best at their position.

And that means plenty of work this off-season. Here's a couple things to look for with the Broncos.

1. Keep Building on offense. In addition to Lock, Sutton, Fant and Lindsay, the Broncos have Royce Freeman, DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick. But grabbing another strong receiver will help. And the team likely needs to move on from Flacco, and use that money, and some draft picks, to build the offensive line. Dalton Risner is great. Conner McGovern is solid, too. And I could be talked into Garrett Bolles after he improved in the back half. Ju'Wann James deserves another shot, but Denver needs one or two pieces, too. A lot will also depend on Shurmer.

2. Keep the defensive free agents. The Broncos have to retain Justin Simmons, even if that means Franchise Tag. I think the team really needs Shelby Harris, who was great this season, and Chris Harris, Jr., a top corner. The team found some improvement in young guys, and at some point hopefully Bryce Callahan will be back, but Chris Harris is one of the best out there. It would also be great to keep Will Parks, but that might be a tough ask.

3. Draft well. The Broncos had great drafts in 2018 and 2019. That hasn't always happened. If they can do well in 2020, the team will be well on the way to the playoff hunt.

4. Get a new punter. Colby Wadman wasn't the answer. While teams don't always focus on the punter, a good one can be a weapon and a poor one a big liability.