Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the offseason. Submit questions to Ryan here.
Is it weird there has been no press conference with Russell Wilson? Did I miss it? I would think this is something the Broncos would want to discuss with the public in their own building.
— Bill Cubin, Casper, Wyo.
RO: Patience, Bill, patience. But seriously, no trades or free-agent signings can be officially announced by teams until the start of the league year (2 p.m. Denver time on Wednesday). The press conference introducing Wilson and hearing from general manager George Paton and coach Nathaniel Hackett can be conducted then.
I have always been a huge Bronco fan. The past few years I have lived in Bellingham, Wash., and watched a lot of the Seahawks. Russell Wilson is worth everything the Broncos paid for him. He is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and has that special ability to always give 110%, and plays with enormous grit and enthusiasm. He will take the Broncos to the Super Bowl!
— Jerry Petersen, Denver
RO: The Broncos are banking that Jerry is correct that the price (three players and five draft picks) is worth it.
Even in his only losing season since entering the league (6-8 as the starter in 2021), Wilson had 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions and a 103.1 passer rating. Those kinds of numbers will put the Broncos in the playoffs.
Who do we go after for backup quarterback?
— Nick Grall, Colorado Springs
RO: A veteran backup quarterback should be a moderate priority even though Brett Rypien (one career start) was tendered a one-year contract on Sunday and new starter Russell Wilson has missed only two games because of injury.
As of Monday around 4 p.m., the available backup quarterbacks included Jacoby Brissett, A.J. McCarron, Joshua Dobbs, Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert.
Brian Hoyer (New England) and Colt McCoy (Arizona) are staying with their teams.
You think Nathaniel Hackett was juiced on caffeine before last Tuesday? Pretty sure we all can imagine his reaction to Russell Wilson trade.
— Pat Melgares, Manhattan, Kan.
RO: I’m imaging Hackett figuratively bouncing around the walls of his new office at the Broncos’ facility once the Wilson trade was agreed upon on March 8.
The task for Hackett is now collaborating with Wilson to craft an offense that both suits Wilson and the Broncos’ skill-position talent and offensive line.
This will be the first time Wilson’s play-caller will be his head coach.
Will the Russell Wilson buzz extend to free agency? Do you think we could land someone like Chandler Jones or get Von Miller to return? Or how about Evan Engram or O.J. Howard to fill Noah Fantap spot?
— Ron, Parker
RO: As of Tuesday morning, the only signing was reserve offensive lineman Ben Braden, who had been released by Green Bay, but they did agree to terms with San Francisco defensive lineman D.J. Jones.
But once Wilson was acquired and the Broncos’ cap space shrunk to $20 million-plus, I didn’t figure them to be big spenders during the opening hours of the negotiating period … and they weren’t until late Monday night.
Engram agreed to a one-year contract with Jacksonville and Jones and Miller remained on the market.
At tight end, the Broncos need to add depth behind Albert Okwuegbunam (if they view him as the starter) and if they re-sign Eric Saubert.
Do you think the Broncos will draft Trey McBride? With Noah Fant gone, we could use someone outside of Albert Okwuegbunam and Eric Saubert. McBride put up the numbers last year with CSU and itap always great to see a local kid in a Broncos uniform.
— Mike, Denver
RO: The Broncos’ first pick isn’t until No. 64 (last selection of the second round), so it would be shocking if McBride is on the board; he may go late in the first round.
By trading Nos. 9 and 40 to Seattle, the Broncos won’t have much trade-up flexibility in the first two rounds.
