Broncos: Russell Wilson named team "X-factor" coming into next season

Broncos country, let's ride? All eyes are going to be on Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, and the Denver Broncos next season. This offseason has been all about building the team around Wilson to be successful. In a recent ESPN article, Mike Clay and Seth Walder gave an inside look at all 32 NFL teams and […]

Adam Zientek — NFL News Writer

Jun 29, 2023 2:05 PM EDT

Broncos country, let's ride?

All eyes are going to be on Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, and the Denver Broncos next season. This offseason has been all about building the team around Wilson to be successful.

In a recent ESPN article, Mike Clay and Seth Walder gave an inside look at all 32 NFL teams and provided the strongest and weakest aspect, along with an x-factor for every team.

The Broncos faithful got a spark of hope, while divisive, as the team landed 13th on the list. Denver got some points for their work on the offensive line, ranked their strongest unit by the pair. Specifically, offensive tackle Garrett Bolles.

Garett Bolles is back after a broken leg cost one of the league's better left tackles all but five games last season. He'll be joined in the starting lineup by newcomer Mike McGlinchey, who landed a five-year, $87.5 million contract during the offseason. Swing tackle Cameron Fleming adds quality depth after playing well on 925 snaps across both LT and RT last season.

Moving on to their weakest unit, despite the newly acquired Frank Clark, was the edge rusher position. Randy Gregory's inability to stay healthy paired with the younger core and newcomers on the depth chart gives the edge rushing room plenty of room to grow.

Randy Gregory has flashed at times, but the seven-year veteran has managed one full season (2018), has yet to clear six sacks in a single campaign and played just 177 snaps in six games in 2022. Frank Clark's arrival helps, though the veteran hasn't cleared six sacks in a season since 2019. Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto are next up on the depth chart.

Moving on to perhaps the most divisive portion is that of Wilson being named the X-factor. The selection of Wilson isn't what's divisive, but Wilson himself. The fanbase has little patience for a man that was supposed to come in and immediately help make the team a contender. It's more of the drama surrounding Wilson that's been divisive, paired with his subpar season in almost every measurable category. Nevertheless, there is hope. If Wilson is able to come in and bounce back, this could be a scary team.

With strong play at quarterback, this is a good team. But if all coach Sean Payton gets is the 2022 version of Wilson, that roster will be for naught. Even not at his best in 2021, Wilson finished 10th in QBR, and at 34 years old, there's still a decent chance of a mini-resurgence from him

Payton has his work cut out for him. While the front office has spent ample resources to build around Wilson, ultimately it will come down to if the single-caller can take the appropriate step and have a successful year. That, and if injuries don't rear their ugly head once again. Only time will tell.

Featured image via Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports