MINNEAPOLIS — Two years ago the Broncos were the guests of honor. A year ago they were reigning champions. And now? Now the Broncos are pregame entertainment, part of the rotating crew that keeps the crowd amused and preoccupied before the real show begins.
was sprinting through the Mall of America to search for camouflage leggings for a fan. has made the rounds . And to talk about his Super Bowl memories, which seem like soooooooooo long ago.
Much has changed since Super Bowl 50, when the Broncos boasted the league’s top defense and when their future Hall of Fame quarterback rode off into the sunset with a second ring. They’ve fallen from the highest rung of the NFL to one of the lowest, in need of a massive remake.
For the Broncos, Super Bowl LII week has been a long-winded reminder of what was and what isn’t: They were once champions. They aren’t anymore. They won’t be again if they don’t find a starting quarterback, among other things.
All the while, , bound to be the most coveted free agent in March and likely a top target of the Broncos, bounced from network to network Friday to talk about his uncertain future. (It’s “not as bad as you think,” he assured, lest anyone believed choosing your employer and your massive pay was a worry.)
Also making the rounds on Radio Row was Baker Mayfield, a future NFL quarterback the Broncos coached at the Senior Bowl, and Sam Darnold, the Southern California star who has yet to turn 21 but could be the top draft pick. , the journeyman who most recently played for the Jets, made a brief appearance, too.
The what-ifs were plentiful for the Broncos last week, though the plan for their future remains as cloudy as ever.
Sure, a few lean years were expected in the wake of ‘s retirement. But the Broncos’ most recent season was “leaner” than perhaps it should have been. A 5-11 finish with a stacked defense, two 1,000-yard receivers, a deep running backs room and decent — or at least better than the year before — offensive line should have been more than enough for a winning season.
“In this league, the winning thing comes and goes,” Cousins said. “I mean, you look at what Jacksonville was able to do this year. Nobody expected that back in July, but they built a great team and they did a great job and went all the way to the AFC championship game. So a lot can change year to year.”
May the Broncos and Super Bowl LII serve as proof.
