When given a chance to be blunt, Broncos coach Vic Fangio usually takes it and Wednesday morning was no different.
Fangio was asked about his 1-4 record against the Las Vegas Raiders and how a win Sunday would show his team is headed in the right direction.
“We’ve got to get wins (in general),” he said. “Would I want them to be against the AFC West? Yes, but we need to get some wins.”
The Broncos (7-7) need a win to keep their slim AFC wild-card hopes alive while also all-but eliminating the Raiders (7-7).
After last week’s disheartening loss to Cincinnati, three games remain.
Big for Fangio? To be blunt, absolutely — he can’t have his team limp to the finish line.
Big for quarterback Drew Lock, who starts for the injured Teddy Bridgewater? To be blunt, undoubtedly — Lock should take the approach that he is auditioning for other teams.
But this is also a big stretch for many players on the roster, some who are impending free agents, some who covet bigger roles in 2022 and some who have an eye on their second contract.
These seven players have three chances to make a final impression on general manager George Paton:
Noah Fant
Position: Tight end.
Age: 24.
Contract status: Signed through 2022 ($4,006,140 cap number next year).
So far this year: Fant leads the Broncos in catches (58) and is third in receiving yards (532). He has three touchdowns and five explosive catches (all of at least 25 yards) in 700 snaps. Fantap seven penalties lead the offense, but he hasn’t committed one since Week 8.
Analysis: How about a long touchdown catch to end his season? Concerning is how Fantap per-catch average has dropped from 14.1 yards as a rookie to 10.9 last year to 9.2 this year. Is that him or how he’s being used? We would still like Fantap routes to be down the seam when he is already in high gear. By May 2, the Broncos must make a decision on Fantap 2023 contract option, which Over The Cap projects to be $6.657 million and is guaranteed. Is Paton comfortable with that price tag and commitment? In May 2020, the Broncos declined left tackle Garett Bolles’ option and he responded with his best season and a new contract.
Melvin Gordon
Position: Running back.
Age: 28.
Contract status: Free agent after the season. He signed a two-year, $16 million contract in March 2020.
So far this year: Gordon has started all 13 of his games in a work-share with rookie Javonte Williams. Gordon has played 435 of 925 snaps, rushed 174 times for 769 yards (seven touchdowns) and caught 23 passes for 174 yards (two touchdowns). He has 13 explosive rushes (gain of at least 12 yards), two 100-yard games (101 at the Giants and 111 vs. Detroit) and two lost fumbles.
Analysis: Gordon’s focus should be to keep on keeping on. Williams is the fan favorite among the Broncos’ running backs, but Gordon’s nine total touchdowns are three more than any teammate. He said earlier this month he wants to re-sign with the Broncos, but don’t read too much into that. If another club offers him anywhere close to starter-level money and a role as the featured back, Gordon should take it. Among the free-agent tailbacks are Tampa Bay’s Leonard Fournette, Arizona’s James Conner, Kansas City’s Darrel Williams and the Los Angeles Rams’ Sony Michel. If Gordon takes the long view, staying with the Broncos’ split-carry system will prolong his career.
Bobby Massie
Position: Right tackle.
Age: 32.
Contract status: Free agent after the season. He signed a one-year, $2.275 million contract in June.
So far this year: Signed after the Broncos released Ja’Wuan James (torn Achilles), Massie has started all 12 of his games (754 snaps), missing two weeks because of an ankle injury. Massie has not been assessed a penalty this season and has only four “bad” run blocks (gain of one or fewer yards not counting goal-line/short-yardage), but The Post has booked him for 23 1/2 pass-rush disruptions, including 3 1/2 sacks.
Analysis: Massie lives in Colorado full-time so the guess is he prefers to re-sign with the Broncos. But might the team look to get younger at this position to see if the annual turnover at right tackle is solved? In the first or second rounds, options could include Ohio State’s Nicholas Petit-Frere, Kentucky’s Darian Kinnard and Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning. In-house, Calvin Anderson could be an option.
Lloyd Cushenberry
Position: Center.
Age: 24.
Contract status: Signed through 2023 ($1,269,816 cap number in ’22).
So far this year: Cushenberry tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and may miss his first game and his first snaps since entering the NFL last year, a streak of 30 games and 2,000 snaps. He has been called for five enforced penalties and been booked for 11 pass-rush disruptions (5 1/2 sacks) and six “bad” run blocks.
Analysis: A tough go of it this year for Cushenberry, whose key numbers aren’t as consistent as 2020. Before he was shelved with the virus, we were looking at Cushenberry needing to finish strong. One scenario — the Broncos should keep Quinn Meinerz at right guard because he’s played well there, and move Graham Glasgow (who has a $6 million dead cap hit if they cut him) to center.
Bradley Chubb
Position: Outside linebacker.
Age: 25.
Contract status: Signed through 2022 and his $12.716 million salary next year is fully guaranteed.
So far this year: Not much, although itap not all his fault. He aggravated an ankle injury in the Seattle preseason game and returned to play 19 snaps at Jacksonville in Week 2 before undergoing surgery. He returned in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Chubb has played 171 snaps in his five games, making 11 tackles (missing three) and three pass-rush disruptions (two knockdowns and one pressure).
Analysis: The impact of Chubb’s return was over-estimated by the organization, except for Fangio, who accurately pointed out how Chubb went two months without practicing much less not playing. If Chubb can get to the quarterback a few times in the last three games, he can at least create momentum for 2022 when he should have a full offseason to train instead of rehab. When Paton was in Minnesota’s front office, the Vikings several times extended their first-round picks as they entered their fifth year. Paton should hold off on that with Chubb to see how he starts the ’22 and then explore an in-season deal.
Bryce Callahan
Position: Cornerback
Age: 30.
Contract status: Free agent after the season. He signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Broncos in March 2019.
So far this year: The additions of Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller and Pat Surtain II meant Callahan has been the Broncos’ exclusive nickel back, covering slot receivers. In nine games (four starts) and 384 snaps, he has 23 tackles (two missed tackles), four pass break-ups and no penalties. Callahan sustained a knee injury against Washington in Week 8 and missed five games.
Analysis: Callahan finishing the final three games healthy would be a positive after he missed all of ’19 and the last five games of ’20 with foot injuries. When at peak form, he remains a more-than-serviceable nickel back who can play man coverage in tight quarters and quickly change directions to defend a variety of routes. It would make sense for the Broncos to re-sign Callahan on their terms (per-game incentive is the best course) because they are set with Darby and Surtain as the outside cover players, but would need to find a quality nickel if Callahan was allowed to walk.
Baron Browning
Position: Inside linebacker.
Age: 22.
Contract status: Signed through 2024 ($1,087,693 salary cap number in ‘22).
So far this year: Browning played only four defensive snaps in his first six games and then missed one week (concussion). But injuries and under-performance throughout his position group created an opportunity and Browning has taken advantage. He has started the last seven games (381 snaps) and has 43 tackles (only one missed tackle), earning a spot as the Broncos’ every-down inside linebacker.
Analysis: If Browning finishes the season strong, the Broncos have found one of their 2022 Week 1 starting inside linebackers, a relief for the club because usual starters Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson are both free agents in March. If they trust Browning, and he’s given no reason they shouldn’t, it will allow the Broncos to choose between Jewell and Johnson based on what they feel comfortable paying and pair him with Browning.
