DT, Marshall trade rumors signal period of transition for Broncos

Amid reports the Denver Broncos have fielded trade offers for Demaryius Thomas and Brandon Marshall, “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard said Monday the club is “in transition.”

“You’ve got guys who are older. You’ve got guys with more wear and tear. Guys who are banged up. Guys who are champions who cannot get back to that level,” Pritchard said. “And that’s holding the Broncos back.”

Pritchard said you couple that with the success of the 2018 draft class — Courtland Sutton, Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, Josey Jewell, among others — Denver being in transition is readily apparent.

“You cannot hold on to the past in this league,” Pritchard said. “… The league is a younger, stronger, faster league. The Broncos are getting older. At this point, Broncos Country has to realize this.”

But being “in transition” doesn’t have to come with negative connotations, said “Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley on Monday.

“You’re not tanking. You’re not saying that we’re not going to be competitive anymore and we’re looking to rebuild. You’re not in rebuild mode if you make a trade or two,” Stokley said. “That’s not what it means to me.”

Instead, what it means is that the Broncos can focus their efforts into other important areas.

“What it means to me is what we talked about, getting rid of that money. Maybe using that money to sign Matt Paradis to an extension,” Stokley said. “Maybe you’re also trying to get your young receivers playing time.”

And Pritchard implored Broncos Country to stick with their squad through this “transition,” to be a key contributor to the next championship-contending roster.

“Can you still cheer? Yeah. Do the Broncos need you to cheer? Yeah. In transition reality in the National Football League, you, Broncos Country, can set the tone for the next Super Bowl championship team,” Pritchard said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.