Though the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers’ seasons got here to a detailed on the identical time, every despatched packing on Wild Card Weekend, the Broncos are rather more optimistic about their season than the Steelers. And Denver head coach Sean Payton is a a lot happier man than a season in the past. Recapping the Broncos’ season Wednesday, Payton stated Denver is in a much better place now than final 12 months, ostensibly attributable to sturdy quarterback play by rookie Bo Nix after virtually two seasons with veteran Russell Wilson.
“We’re lots nearer than we have been at the moment a 12 months in the past,” Payton informed reporters to conclude his year-end presser. “That was distress, sorrow, drudgery. Give me another adjectives. That was brutal. I’ll say that.”
A 12 months in the past, the Broncos completed up an 8-9 season with a middling offense. Wilson was benched by season’s finish to guard towards struggling a extreme harm and whereas the Broncos completed second in a weak AFC West, the playoffs appeared distant.
They rapidly turned issues round. After a strained relationship with Wilson, Payton discovered his quarterback in Oregon’s Bo Nix. Following a sluggish begin, Nix had one of many league’s finest rookie seasons and threw for almost 30 touchdowns as Denver completed with a top-10 scoring assault. The Broncos acquired sizzling on the finish of the season and received 5 of their final seven to make the postseason for the primary time since 2015, their Tremendous Bowl 12 months led by Peyton Manning.
Getting over that hump is a giant franchise milestone offering reduction in all the locker room. Payton’s remark doubtless displays a number of elements of the workforce, together with an improved protection and a few personal job safety to keep away from hot-seat questions had Payton missed the playoffs in consecutive years. However he hasn’t hidden his emotions towards Wilson and the organized marriage that rapidly resulted in divorce. In separate feedback, Denver GM George Paton credited Payton for being prepared to eat Wilson’s remaining wage and transfer on from the nine-time Professional Bowler.
For a time, Wilson felt like Pittsburgh’s treasure. However with a five-game dropping streak and playoff drought that continues to be intact, the Steelers may be feeling just like the Broncos a 12 months in the past. Particularly following a report that Wilson and OC Arthur Smith didn’t get alongside. Like Denver, Pittsburgh might be trying to find a brand new quarterback within the hopes of discovering a long-term reply. In a weaker quarterback class, they may have a tougher time.
