The future seemed bright entering the 2022-23 NFL football season for the Denver Broncos. Deep-pocketed ownership bought the team, a new head coach was hired, and future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson was signed to bolster offensive production in a blockbuster trade with Seattle. Many so-called experts were predicting the Broncos to improve from a 7-10 record under Vic Fangio in 2021 to being a playoff contender this year. Fans once again had reason to be optimistic.

On December 25 after a blowout loss against the lowly Rams, in which Wilson threw three interceptions in a game marred by poor performances and bickering, it was painfully obvious that all Broncos Country received this season and for Christmas was a lump of coal.

Now with a 4-11 record, someone had to pay. That someone was Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett who was unceremoniously fired the next day. As a one-and-done coach, Hackett is the fifth NFL head coach to be dismissed before the end of his first season. CEO Greg Penner thanked Hackett for his time in the Mile High City and stated that, “We determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos.”

Hackett was brought in from Green Bay as an up-and-coming offensive coordinator who was partially credited with Aaron Rodgers’ 2020 and 2021 MVP trophies. When Wilson was landed, it was thought Hackett would be a good fit with the new quarterback, but it was not to be. The coach’s game clock management and play calling came into question early. The new quick pass shotgun offense never clicked the way it was supposed to. Most of Wilson’s career was built on deep drop play-action passing and scrambling.

At times showing flashes of his old self, Wilson seemed to be holding on to the football too long, resulting in sacks. At 34 years old, he also appears to have lost a half step while running for his life trying to make something happen. To be fair, the offensive line was decimated by injuries To be fair, this year and they lost receivers along with their number one running back. While the third-ranked defense held up its end of the bargain, allowing an average of 17.1 points per game through fourteen games, the offense registered a league worst 14.3 points per contest. The math is easy – a change was needed. Expect more in the coming months.

Jerry Rosburg will act as Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the season. For whoever is hired to lead the Broncos in 2023-24, their job will be challenging with just a single first-round pick acquired in the Bradley Chubb deal and none in the second round to choose from. The Broncos’ woes run deeper than Wilson although their fortunes are unequivocally tied to a fortune with the five-year, $245 million ($124 million guaranteed) contract they signed with him.

No team would want to trade for Wilson coming off his least productive year at that price. If Denver cuts him, it would count $107 million against their salary cap in 2023, writing off and swallowing hard on a $231 million dollar mistake with no money to rebuild. Financially and practically, most likely the Broncos will “ride” it out with Wilson for at least another year. They will pray their athletes stay healthy, and try through trades and free agency to bring in players and personnel that will make Wilson a better quarterback and them a better team. Through it all, the Broncos faithful will be there hoping that they find something other than a lump of coal in their stockings next year.