November 6th 2024.
George Paton, the general manager of the Broncos, had already revealed his team's direction before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. In March, at the annual league meetings, Paton spoke to reporters about the plan in a somewhat secretive manner. He mentioned that the team was excited for the challenge and wanted to build for long-term success, using coded language like "retooling" and "building the right way."
Therefore, it was not surprising that the Broncos chose to stand pat at the trade deadline, even though they were in the middle of a playoff hunt with a record of 5-4. While making it to the postseason is a top priority for the franchise, their main focus is still on constructing a team that can sustain success in the long run.
This is why they did not make any big moves, apart from trading edge rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round pick. There was no chance of acquiring someone like Browns tight end David Njoku or a wide receiver, as the team had already used up a significant amount of their salary cap space and draft capital in previous years.
Paton's brother, Sean, is known for wanting to see action and make big moves, but the general manager understands that there is more to building a team than just acquiring players. Contracts, team vision, and locker room dynamics are all crucial factors that need to be considered.
Despite losing key players like Russell Wilson, Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick, the Broncos have exceeded expectations under rookie quarterback Bo Nix. They are currently the seventh seed in the AFC and have a better record than teams like the Jets, Dolphins, and Bengals.
While making the playoffs would be a great achievement, the Broncos are still focused on the bigger picture. They understand the importance of building through the draft, just like teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams have done. This is why they traded away Browning in exchange for future draft picks.
The Broncos currently have seven picks in the upcoming 2025 draft, including three in the sixth round. If they keep their first-round pick in this year's draft, it will be the first time since 2020 and '21 that they have had back-to-back first-round picks.
Despite their success, it's clear that the Broncos still have some flaws that need to be addressed. Their offense, in particular, has struggled, and they haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver since 2019. However, acquiring one player will not solve all their issues, and the team is aware of that.
Paton has repeatedly stated that he wants to give the young players on the roster a chance to prove themselves. This is evident in the increased playing time given to rookies like Audric Estime, Troy Franklin, and Devaughn Vele. The team traded up to acquire Franklin in the fourth round of the draft and believes in his potential.
The Broncos have managed to exceed expectations with the talent they have on their roster, and they have a chance to continue doing so in the remaining games of the season. With a strong defense, ranked sixth in total yards allowed, they should be competitive against any opponent.
The process of rebuilding and retooling the team was never going to be a quick one, and the Broncos have accepted that. Instead of making short-term moves, they have chosen to focus on developing their young talent for long-term success. As Payton said, just like they are developing their quarterback, they need to develop all their young players.
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