Just five games and four losses into the 2023 season, the Denver Broncos are looking at a compressed week before they confront a rival who has defeated them in the last 15 consecutive matches.
As the NFL’s Halloween trade deadline approaches, it is widely believed that the Broncos will be sellers.
According to head coach Sean Payton, that’s not the case. He stated that both he and general manager George Paton are listeners.
“Payton stated on Tuesday, when questioned about discussions with Paton as the trade deadline nears, that they are not intending to conduct business with any of their players,” according to the team transcript. “He pointed out that this doesn’t stop other teams from occasionally contacting them. He said they simply answer the phone, implying that nothing more comes of it.”
Payton’s comments come just four days removed from the Broncos shipping pass rusher Randy Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers, and three days after NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Frank Clark could also be dealt. As noted by Rapoport, Denver wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton drew plenty of offseason chatter as potential players to be traded, as well.
The trade deadline’s set for 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. Before that, the Broncos have the unenviable task of playing the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, twice in three weeks — sandwiched around a home game against the Green Bay Packers. That gauntlet begins this Thursday night on Prime Video when Denver (1-4) visits Kansas City (4-1), where it hasn’t won since 2015.
It would make sense for the Broncos to go into rebuilding mode, unless there is a massive turnaround.
Despite Payton stating that he’s not interested in trade business, he did suggest that his focus is on 2024.
“He stated, “We have a clear understanding of our present team and our plans for the team a year later. That’s the aspect of progress and improvement. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have realized it’s only three weeks away. Right now, three weeks feels like forever.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if there are significant changes to the Broncos’ roster three weeks from now, regardless of Payton’s comments on Tuesday.
