ESPN made a suggestion this week for the Denver Broncos that could salvage the Russell Wilson trade and bring the franchise out of the basement of the AFC West in 2023.

Bill Barnwell, a staff writer for ESPN, suggested this week that Denver hire a former NFL head coach to serve as the Broncos' offensive coordinator in 2023.

Barnwell, like many analysts/writers, feels like the Broncos should move on from Nathaniel Hackett. That's almost expected to happen at this point given Hackett's issues on game day.

From there, Barnwell thinks Denver needs to hire a coach that specializes in developing quarterbacks — and that doesn't necessarily need to be whoever the Broncos hire as their head coach (if they do indeed fire Hackett).

Barnwell suggested that Denver hire former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich to serve as the Broncos' offensive coordinator next season.

Reich was recently fired by the Colts.

From ESPN:

After going for a first-time head coach in Hackett, I have to imagine Denver would pursue a more experienced option to take over the offense. I'm sure it is one of the many teams that would be interested in coaxing Sean Payton out of retirement, but even after getting a first-round pick back in the Chubb deal, I don't know that it has the sort of draft capital the Saints will want for their former coach.

A more realistic option would be Frank Reich, who had built a series of solid offenses around different passers before things fell apart in Indianapolis this season. Reich also is a free agent, so the Broncos could hire him as their offensive coordinator if Reich's interested in that role.

Reich wouldn't be a bad option to replace Hackett as Denver's head coach. But it will be tough to sell the fan base on a coach who just got fired (even though things mostly went well for Reich in Indy).

However, if the Broncos can get Reich to run the offense next season, it could be exactly what Wilson and Denver need to the franchise around.

Reich was lauded for his work with quarterbacks before taking over as the Colts' head coach. That seems to be his best role. Even if Denver fires Hackett and hires a new coach, Reich should still be considered as an option to run the offense. The only problem here is that Reich likely won't have a shortage of suitors. Would he pick the Broncos over a "better situation"?

It's hard to know at this stage of the season, but living in Denver and working with Wilson could be viewed as a good situation by Reich, despite the lackluster season the Broncos are currently having.

Featured image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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