At the NFL Combine, the Denver Broncos' dynamic duo, Sean Payton and George Paton, took center stage. Their presence wasn't just about showing up; it was about setting the tone for the Broncos' future, especially with a new offensive coordinator, Davis Webb, taking on the play-calling duties.
The Broncos' journey to the AFC Championship was a thrilling ride, marked by an impressive 11-game win streak. Yet, as Payton pointed out, there's always a bit of luck involved in such runs. He candidly addressed the need to improve in key areas despite their success.
“From my lens,” Payton shared, “we won a lot of games by one score or less. I’m not naive to think those games couldn’t have swung.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing on takeaways and consistency in the run game. These areas, he believes, hold the “meat on the bone” for the team to progress further.
While Payton's focus on the running game and takeaways wasn't unexpected, his comments on the linebacking corps raised some eyebrows. Despite the strength of this group, he sees room for improvement.
George Paton chimed in, highlighting the promising linebacker class in the draft. However, he noted the challenge for rookies to make an immediate impact at the inside linebacker position. With Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton entering free agency, Paton expressed a strong desire to retain them, seeing them as integral to the Broncos' identity.
Strnad, eyeing a starting role, and Singleton could command significant contracts on the open market. Meanwhile, Dre Greenlaw, despite a rocky season, still holds value according to Paton, who called him “a tone setter.”
The running back situation presents its own challenges. Payton mentioned RJ Harvey’s development, but questioned his ability to be a three-down back due to his size.
J.K. Dobbins, the starter, carries injury concerns that have previously impacted his performance.
While there are no glaring issues across the roster, the Broncos face pivotal decisions at linebacker and running back. Addressing these could be the key to unlocking the next chapter of their success story.