NFL analyst banks on bounce back season when naming Broncos' 2023 'X-factor'
The Denver Broncos had a terrible 2022 season from a few very important players, but one NFL analyst has them having an 'X-factor' from one of those guys. The Broncos had a terrible, and very underwhelming season in 2022 after most thought they would compete for the playoffs. Getting Russell Wilson via trade was supposed […]
The Denver Broncos had a terrible 2022 season from a few very important players, but one NFL analyst has them having an 'X-factor' from one of those guys.
The Broncos had a terrible, and very underwhelming season in 2022 after most thought they would compete for the playoffs. Getting Russell Wilson via trade was supposed to be the one thing that got them over the hump. Instead, it kind of dug them into a deeper hole.
Wilson was not what anyone thought he would be, and sure, a lot of it was coaching, but there was a huge part of it that was his play as well. Bringing in Sean Payton could change everything though. This is a head coach that does things his way or the highway.
His offensive system is one that will have the Broncos and Wilson set up for success. They will run the ball a lot, and that's only going to set Wilson up for the deep ball.
One NFL analyst seems to think that will help so much that Wilson has a bounce-back type of season, and becomes the Broncos' 'X-factor' in 2023.
X-Factor for 2023: QB Russell Wilson
This might be the biggest X-factor in all of football heading into 2023. After a massive trade to secure his services, Russell Wilson couldn’t seem to make things work in Denver in 2022. However, with new head coach Sean Payton coming out of retirement, Wilson will get a fresh start and look to bounce back. -Dalton Wasserman and Jim Wyman, PFF
In Seattle, Wilson wanted out because he was tired of playing in a way that he felt didn't play to his strengths. That's where the "let Russ cook" phrase came from. He wanted to throw the ball more and throw it downfield more. So, when he got to Denver, Hackett let him do that a bit in an offense that was a little of what they both wanted.
We saw how that went.
This offense he will do that some, but not as much as you think. This system will be based on his ability to make throws when he does throw the ball, and it's going to matter a lot. He will have to capitalize because running the ball won't always work.
I don't know if Wilson would have been my pick as the 2023 'X-factor', but I can see it happening. My pick would have been either Javonte Williams, if healthy, or Samaje Perine, because these guys will see the field a ton. Either way, Perine will have this offense looking much better than it did last season.
