National Football League

Broncos committed to Russell Wilson. How can they build around him?

Updated Sep. 2, 2022 5:23 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

By Bucky Brooks
FOX Sports NFL Writer

"Let's ride!!!" 

When Russell Wilson uttered the catchphrase at his introductory press conference with the Broncos, the football world assumed that the partnership between the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the three-time Super Bowl-winning franchise would eventually become a "forever" relationship. 

With the Broncos agreeing to a five-year, $245 million contract extension that ties Wilson to the franchise through the 2028 season, the marriage provides the team with stability at the game's most important position. Remember, this franchise has operated a revolving door at the position since Peyton Manning led the team to a victory in Super Bowl 50. 

The team has started 11 different quarterbacks during the span, including Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Joe Flacco, Case Keenum, Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Given their individual and collective struggles, it is easy to see why the Broncos were willing to hand Wilson the bag before he takes an official snap with the team. 

Russell Wilson ranked 61st on NFL's Top 100 List

Russell Wilson was ranked 61st on the NFL's Top 100 list. The players interestingly ranked the Denver Broncos QB on the list's bottom half, but is this the correct spot?

Wilson has the most wins (113) of any player in NFL history through the first ten seasons in the league, and his 292 passing touchdowns are the second-most in league history behind Manning (306) during that span. With Tom Brady (324) and Aaron Rodgers (317) ranking as the only players with more touchdowns over the past 10 years, the Broncos have locked up a great quarterback with an elite résumé. The veteran will attempt to follow the blueprint established by Brady and Drew Brees as star quarterbacks who delivered MVP-caliber production while aging gracefully at the position. 

That said, there is some risk in investing heavily in a quarterback who is transitioning from an athletic playmaker to a traditional drop-back passer. The 11th-year pro is no longer the dual-threat weapon in the backfield who challenged defenders with his improvisational skills and running ability. Although he is occasionally able to dazzle with a scramble toss or an impromptu quarterback run, Wilson's rushing numbers have dipped below 400 yards in three of his last four seasons, including a career-worst 183 rushing yards in 2021. 

While it is expected for a 30-something quarterback to reduce his rushing attempts at this stage of his career, Wilson's reluctance to run has taken away one of his superpowers as a playmaker. When he's not threatening the defense with his legs, the veteran must be a more efficient passer from the pocket to punish the defense for playing umbrella zones with the safeties parked in the parking lot. 

The two-high look that has befuddled Wilson over the past two seasons calls for more of a playmaker than a rhythm passer from the pocket. In basketball terms, Wilson is a scorer who has a knack for getting buckets despite lacking a consistent mid-range jump shot. Wilson is a three-point bomber who is at his best throwing the deep ball over the top of the defense instead of picking apart coverage on an assortment of quick passes (slants, hitches, and sticks) that are thrown on time and on target from the pocket. 

In addition, Wilson can expect opponents to continue to blitz at an alarming rate when he is under center. Since he entered the league in 2012, the veteran was blitzed on 33.6% of his dropbacks — the second-most blitzes faced by any quarterback in the league during that span. The risk-reward strategy has not paid off for opponents based on Wilson's touchdown-to-interception ratio (3.36, third-best in the league during that span), but opponents could be encouraged to keep bringing the house with the veteran's athleticism and mobility in decline. 

Russell Wilson was one of the NFL's best quarterbacks for a decade in Seattle.

In Denver, the game plans utilized to keep Wilson in check will certainly circulate around a defense featuring some of the brightest defensive minds in football. 

To combat the pressure and two-high tactics that Wilson is expected to face, the Broncos' supporting cast will need to step up in 2022. The much-hyped receiving corps which features one Pro Bowler (Courtland Sutton) and a collection of potential difference makers (Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, and Albert Okwuegbunam) will need to mature quickly under Wilson's tutelage. The veteran will need to coax standout performance from his young supporting cast to alleviate some of the pressure on him to make big plays utilizing the deep ball. 

If the Broncos' playmakers can deliver chunk plays on a series of catch-and-run concepts that combat Wilson's kryptonite (two-deep zones and blitz coverage), the veteran could evolve into a mid-range dart thrower (much like Drew Brees did) in the twilight of his career. 

The Broncos will also lean on an unproven offensive line and talented backfield to balance out the offensive attack rather than overburdening Wilson. Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett must commit to running Javonte Williams (and Melvin Gordon) early and often to keep opponents from teeing off on Wilson in obvious passing situations. While Wilson will bristle at the notion of the team needing to utilize a "three yards and a cloud of dust" approach to win games, the veteran will certainly benefit from playing in an offense that displays 50-50 run-pass balance. 

As Wilson gets older, it is more important for the Broncos to selectively lean on him as the primary playmaker. Although he remains a capable threat, he cannot be expected to put this team on his back each week. That burden overwhelmed him in Seattle, and it could make life miserable for Wilson in Denver if the supporting cast does not come through. 

To that point, the Broncos could hope the defense enables Wilson to steal a page from Manning's winning playbook, particularly in his later years. The star-studded group, which features difference-makers like Bradley Chubb, Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons, could enable the veteran to play as more of a game manager.

If the defense continues to emerge as the strength of this team, Wilson would simply need to make a handful of plays each week to help the team chalk up wins with a conservative approach. This might lack the sizzle that Wilson wants as he attempts to build a case for an elusive MVP award, but a defensive-centric team helped him secure his first ring, and it could lead to others down the road. 

With a seven-year commitment to fulfill his promise as the Broncos' franchise quarterback, Wilson must find a way to elevate a supporting cast that could eventually carry him to the promised land in a few years. 

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He regularly appears on "Speak For Yourself" and also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League

Denver Broncos

Russell Wilson

Bucky Brooks