Why the Denver Broncos need to win a Super Bowl now
By Stephen Igoe
The Denver Broncos have been one of the NFL‘s best teams since Peyton Manning arrived, but it needs to result in a Super Bowl trophy soon before time runs out.
Windows of opportunities are always opening and closing across the NFL, but perhaps no window is beginning to shut as quickly as the one of the Denver Broncos.
For the third consecutive season, Denver is in prime position for a championship. The Broncos, who were the No. 1 seed in the AFC the last two seasons, settled for the No. 2 spot in this year’s playoff behind the Patriots, but still got the advantage of a first-round bye once again.
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The last two years, despite Denver racking up the wins and setting numerous records along the way, ended in disappointment. The Broncos fell in improbable fashion 38-35 in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 divisional playoff. Last year, the Broncos reached the Super Bowl, but fell one step short in an embarrassing 43-8 blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Only two teams have ever lost the Super Bowl and then gone on to win it the next season, and Denver will try to join that list when it starts its run against the Indianapolis Colts at home this Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos, for all their good fortune and success over the past three seasons since signing Peyton Manning, may be close to running out of time.
Manning is 38 years of age and will be 39 before next season. His contract runs through 2016, when he will be 40, and he’s slated to make $19 million in base salary each season over the coming two years.
Although Manning is just a season removed from breaking the NFL’s all-time single season passing touchdown record, and is still playing at an elite level for the most part, some suggest there have been signs of regression. Manning’s leadership and brilliance on the field as a play-caller and in-game adjustor can’t be questioned, but his physical skills can as Father Time draws near.
The balls that Manning throws continue to get more wobbly, even if they wind up in Broncos receivers’ hands more times than not. Manning also looked out of it in a few games this season, throwing multiple picks in six games, including a four-interception debacle at Cincinnati in week 16.
Nonetheless, Manning should be the least of the concerns for the Broncos, at least for now.
A crucial free agency period is about to hit the Denver front office. Front-line targets Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas are unrestricted free agents this offseason and are going to get big pay-days. Wes Welker, a second-tier option of Manning, will also hit the market. Orlando Franklin, a steady and physical presence up front in the offensive line that protects Manning, will be a free agent, as will current center Will Montgomery.
Defensively, Terrance Knighton could be looking at a wealthy salary after a couple of breakout years in Denver, while other important contributors such as linebacker Brandon Marshall, linebacker Nate Irving and safety Rahim Moore will also be eligible for free agency.
Impact pass rusher Von Miller is scheduled to become a free agent in the 2016 offseason, so the Broncos would like to save some cap when the time comes to re-sign him as well.
Regardless of how it plays out, there’s virtually no way the Broncos will be able to afford to sign the majority of the names on the 2015 free agent list. Denver already has a ton of money invested in Manning and the three defensive free agents they signed this past offseason – Aqib Talib (six-year, $57M), T.J. Ward (four-year, $22.5M) and Demarcus Ware (three-year, $30M). Cornerback Chris Harris, previously slated to become a FA this coming offseason, inked a five-year, $42.5 million deal a few weeks ago.
Thankfully for Denver, the NFL’s overall salary cap is expected to increase this offseason, which could give the front office a little extra breathing room to persuade its homegrown talent to stick around. But there’s still very little chance the Broncos have as good a team as they have now for years to come.
The overall roster turnover, combined with Manning’s continued aging, could mean a major step back in the not-too-distant future.
There’s a reason the Broncos signed the trifecta of Talib, Ward and Ware this past offseason to sure up the defense. The front office realizes it needs a championship before Manning is done, or else his era in Denver should be considered a failure.
For the Broncos, the clock is ticking. It’s time to finish the goal it intended when it first signed Manning in March of 2012: Bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Mile High City.