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I want to give a thumbs up to the Broncos training staff and strength and conditioning staff. This team was as healthy as I can remember a Broncos team being in recent history, and that doesn’t happen by accident. A healthy team has a much better chance of being a winning team. Great job!
All that’s left of the 2024-25 season for Broncos players are end of season interviews with coaches, physicals followed by surgery for a few, and locker cleanout. No more “we should have,” or “we could have.” Assistant coaches will interview for step up jobs including Vance Joseph interviewing for head coaching jobs with the Raiders and with the Jets. This team will never be the same. They will lose some players to retirement, or in free agency. The focus will switch to next year by tomorrow. The draft is coming, and the organization needs to prioritize who will stay, who will go, and who the Broncos should add for next year. It happens overnight for people inside the building.
Not so for fans. We can dwell on yesterday’s team until tomorrow’s team starts playing. The Bills dominated the Broncos [Sunday] on both sides of the line of scrimmage. They followed the Chargers game plan on offense and ran the ball down the Broncos throat. It was methodical and time-consuming. The only thing that stopped their drives were penalties. On offense, the Broncos looked great on the first drive. They also had a nice two-minute drill drive at the end of the half but unfortunately missed the field goal. Denver couldn’t get their running game going. I found it interesting that Audric Estime was a healthy scratch for the game. I don’t think he’s the answer, but it surprised me they brought out Badie and sat Estime. Making that switch in the 18th game shows dissatisfaction with the room. Most of the playoff teams have a top shelf running back. Because defenses have adjusted to pass-first offenses by going with pass rushers at outside linebackers, smaller, faster inside linebackers, and coverage first safeties, the running game has made a comeback. Look for the Broncos to draft a high-round running back or sign a top free agent at the position this offseason. All in all, it was an entertaining and surprisingly successful season.
Looking forward, the Broncos have their answer at quarterback in Bo Nix. They have a solid offensive line with a standout in Quinn Meinerz at guard. Marvin Mims made a huge step forward as Coach Payton’s joker. A couple of rookies who stood out early in the year and faded at the end were Vele and Ellis. It’s not unusual for rookies to have trouble with the much longer NFL season. I believe both will come back next year ready to play a full NFL schedule. Outside linebackers/edge rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper along with Jonah Ellis had a very productive year. Pat Surtain ll, Riley Moss when healthy, and Ja’Quan McMillian played well. The defensive line was dominant with Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, and Jordan Jackson all making plays. Zach Allen stood out. The Broncos have a history of great play at safety and also at inside linebacker. Neither group stood out this year. Denver should also look for help at tight end in the offseason.
I will continue to post through the offseason but don’t be surprised if it’s not football related. I’m not big on who won the offseason because it isn’t ever determined until the pads are on, and often not solidly determined for a couple of years. If you believed the experts last offseason, the Broncos were going to win 5 games. Go Broncos!
Karl Mecklenburg originally shared this post on his social media pages and it was re-shared here with permission. Mecklenburg played for the Denver Broncos from 1983-1994, earning six Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro selections during his decorated career in the NFL. Mecklenburg is now a motivational keynote speaker. You can book Mecklenburg on his website.