The Denver Broncos closed their 2023 season with a disappointing 27-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, finishing their season at 8-9.
This season began with buzz over head coach Sean Payton coming to Denver and his partnership with Russell Wilson. At the beginning of the season, there were far more problems than solutions. But then, in the middle of the year, the Broncos went on a remarkable six-game win streak, and there were serious playoff conversations happening for the first time since 2015. A couple of late-season losses ended those talks, but Denver still finished the year with their most wins since 2016.
We take a look at this season full of ups and downs with our final list of studs and duds from 2023.
Stud: Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton’s name came up often during the offseason as a potential trade target. Thank goodness Broncos general manager George Paton decided to keep him around. Sutton had a big year, catching 10 touchdowns, including several dazzling plays against some of the best corners in the game. He emerged as quarterback Russell Wilson’s favorite and most reliable target all over the field, but especially in the red zone.
Dud: Late-game meltdowns
Several times this season, the Denver Broncos squandered leads and had drives stall or been a play or a drive away at critical times throughout the year. It began at the beginning of the season, when the Broncos defense could have had a stop to give Russell Wilson a chance at the end of the game, but a crucial junction, committed a big penalty to give the Raiders the ball until the end of the game. Next, a failed two-point conversion sunk Denver against the Washington Commanders after a miraculous Hail Mary, and most recently, the Broncos blew a lead against the New England Patriots to essentially end their slim playoff chances.
Stud: Vance Joseph
There is a “comeback player of the year” award in the NFL; if there was one for coaches, it may very well have gone to Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. After many media members (myself included) called for Joseph’s firing after the Miami Dolphins debacle in Week 3 of the season, head coach Sean Payton stuck with him, and the faith was well-rewarded. After the Miami game, opponents only scored more than 30 points twice, and the Broncos defense created turnovers at a record pace during a six-game win streak in the middle of the season. Although it hasn’t always been pretty, Joseph’s defense was instrumental in keeping Denver in games, and keeping points off the board for opponents.
Dud: Jerry Jeudy's production
After wide receiver Tim Patrick went down with a season-ending injury at the beginning of training camp for the second straight year, it was expected that Jerry Jeudy would be a much bigger part of the Broncos’ offense. That vision never really came to be, as Denver slowly began handing out passes to other receivers, and giving Jeudy’s few end-around rushing attempts to rookie Marvin Mims. We will see if Jeudy will be a Bronco next season, as he may fetch a draft pick in the offseason via trade.
Stud: The rookies
The rookies on the Broncos roster played really well in 2023. Second-round pick wide receiver Marvin Mims broke out as a dangerous returner and a dynamic receiver, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist. Linebacker Drew Sanders (22 tackles) and cornerback Riley Moss (five tackles) made the most of their limited opportunities. The past few years of draft picks have showed tremendous potential and given a foundation of things to come in 2024 and beyond.
Dud: Kareem Jackson's suspensions
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was brought back during the offseason to start opposite Pro Bowler Justin Simmons, but Jackson’s return to the team proved to be a distracting one. Jackson had multiple violations that were both flagged and not flagged for illegal hits to the head of Broncos opponents. Due to this, Jackson was suspended twice during the season, for a total of six games and fined $90,000 this year. Jackson was released by the team after the New England game, but was quickly picked up on the waivers by his former team, the Houston Texans.
Dud: Miami Dolphins game
In what would be the lowest point of the 2023 season, the Week 3 game between the Broncos and Dolphins was never in doubt. Miami’s offense was unstoppable, putting up an improbable 70 points, which nearly broke an NFL record for points scored in a game. This game marked rock bottom for a Denver team and fan base that had seen its fair share of “rock bottoms.” However, this game marked the beginning of a remarkable defensive turnaround led by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and after some weeks, led to a six-game win streak.
Stud: Alex Singleton
Tackling machine Alex Singleton had himself another fantastic season, finishing the year with 177 tackles, which broke a 31-year record set by former Bronco Michael Brooks in 1992. Singleton also set an NFL record for most games in a season with ten or more tackles (13 games). His sure-handed tackling skills will hopefully be in Denver for many more seasons to come.
Dud: Lackluster run game
The Broncos’ rushing attack was very up and down throughout the year. In 2023, running back Javonte Williams returned from a 2022 season-ending injury and led all Denver running backs with 774 yards rushing, along with three rushing touchdowns. Undrafted rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin added a spark of energy whenever he was on the field, adding 410 yards and one rushing touchdown. Third running back Samaje Perine played a pivotal role as a receiving threat and as a situational back, gaining critical first downs and throwing blocks as a pass blocker. All three running backs had trouble after the bye week, rushing for less than 100 yards three times, and rushing for more than 125 yards as a team only once after Week 9 (169 yards against the Cleveland Browns). The Broncos’ rushing attack will set the tone for the offense in 2024, so hopefully this offseason and a trio of backs with experience in Sean Payton’s offense will bear more fruit next year.
Stud: Wil Lutz
After parting ways with kicker Brandon McManus before the season and having an open kicking competition throughout training camp and deciding to go with none of those kickers, the Broncos brought in one of Sean Payton’s players from New Orleans, kicker Wil Lutz. It looked grim after Week 1, when Lutz missed an extra point and a field goal in a one-point loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. However, through the rest of the season, Lutz was quietly reliable, even winning the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in November. Lutz has solved the short-term problem at kicker for the time being. It remains to be seen how long the former Saint sticks around for as he’s set to become a free agent in March.
This season was full of ups and downs, where there was despair and hope. The Broncos hope to continue whatever momentum they had at the end of 2023 into whatever next year will throw at Denver.
