The Denver Broncos allowed Aaron Rodgers to have the offseason spotlight for all of two hours.
That was how much time passed between Rodgers’ reported contract extension with the Green Bay Packers and the breaking news that Denver, in search of a franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning’s retirement, had landed Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks via trade.
It’s a big swing from second-year general manager George Paton, but a necessary one. The Broncos haven’t been back to the postseason since winning Super Bowl 50 in Manning’s finale. Denver was stuck in a five to seven-win loop the past five seasons, leaving it locked out of the playoffs but not quite bad enough to draft a can’t-miss quarterback. With a mediocre crop of QB prospects looming in 2022, Paton shot his shot and sent the Seahawks into rebuilding mode.
