The Denver Broncos are rolling into training camp as Super Bowl LXI favorites, fresh off a 14-3 season that almost got them there last year in that brutal AFC Championship blizzard. But don’t let that shine fool you. Two massive roadblocks could absolutely derail their dreams this season, and they need to iron them out right away. We’re talking about navigating a first-place schedule and their quarterback returning from a broken ankle. Serious questions are hanging over every single position group as they head into camp.
Bo Nix’s Comeback and the Backup Brawl
Yeah, Bo Nix is the starter, no doubt. But the guy’s coming back from a broken ankle, and that’s always gonna be a concern. Then you’ve got the battle for the No. 2 spot, and honestly, it could go either way between Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. Stidham totally stumbled in last year’s championship game, and you gotta wonder if Ehlinger’s loyalty will finally pay off this summer. Over in the backfield, J.K. Dobbins is back on a two-year deal, but how many touches will RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman get? Harvey carried the load when Dobbins went down with a foot injury in Week 10 last season, and the run game seriously struggled. That fourth-round pick on Coleman was all about fixing that, so how early and often he gets involved is going to be huge.
Who Steps Up for the Passing Game and the O-Line?
Jaylen Waddle is their top target now, and Courtland Sutton is still one of the best No. 2s in the league. But after that, who’s the WR3? Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., or Pat Bryant? That spot is wide open. Analysts still call tight end Denver’s biggest weakness, even with fifth-round pick Justin Joly onboard. If Evan Engram has a bounce-back year, Joly could help turn things around. But with Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull, Caleb Lohner, and Dallen Bentley all on the roster, tough decisions are coming for that 53-man roster. And get this: even with one of the best offensive lines in football, starting guard Ben Powers might have his spot pushed by Kage Casey, that fourth-round pick from Boise State they’re apparently eager to get on the field. It might be too soon for Casey to take the job, but it’s a situation to watch.
The Massive Hole on the Defensive Line
The biggest gut punch of the offseason was easily losing John Franklin-Myers, who bounced for a huge deal with the Tennessee Titans. Now, who replaces that guy in the starting lineup? That’s a huge question they need to answer in camp. It’s probably going to take more than one player to step up and try to fill the shoes JFM left behind. This isn’t just about finding warm bodies; it’s about replacing a key piece that could make or break their D-line this year.
This isn’t just about roster spots, folks, it’s about whether this team can actually convert “Super Bowl favorites” into “Super Bowl champions.” All eyes will be on camp as they try to patch up these holes. It’s gonna be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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