2023 Broncos' Season, A New Head Coach

 


More than a month after the Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett, the team finally has a new Head Coach. Sean Payton, who coached the New Orleans Saints for year and won a Super Bowl with quarterback Drew Brees, signed a five-year deal on Friday to become the Broncos' new head coach. It ends a protracted search and is the first major piece for a team looking to improve heading into the 2023 NFL Season.

The price to acquire Payton, who was still under contract with the Saints, was steep. The Broncos sent a First Round pick this year and a Second Round Pick in 2024 for Payton and a '24 Third Round Pick. In all, that means the Broncos have dealt three First Round and three Second Round picks over three drafts the past two off-seasons to get a new coach and quarterback. Will it prove worth the cost? Only time will tell.

What we do know, is the Broncos have a coach and a quarterback. Now, Payton has plenty to tackle this off-season to prepare to turn it around and finally get this team back to the playoffs. Below are a few items that need to be at the top of the list.

* Build a staff. We've heard some rumors and we know now that Vic Fangio won't be back as defensive coordinator, but who will lead the defense. Payton needs to get to work assembling a staff for the Broncos. I'll be interested to see who he attracts over the next few weeks.

* Get Russell Wilson back on track. Wilson had a rough 2022. But once Hackett was fired, the final two games of the regular season, Wilson looked different. That's an encouraging sign. He's also excited to have Payton, which is an encouraging sign. The pieces are in place, but we need Wilson to look like the former champion the Broncos were seeking when they traded to acquire him.

* Build the Offensive Line. The Broncos have a quarterback and have some good skill position pieces. They need a better, more consistent line. That has to be a focus this off-season.

* Attracting Top Talent. The Broncos won't have much draft capital again this year, which puts pressure on the free agent process. Payton should be a coach players gravitate toward, and we'll need that pull to help build a contending roster.

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