It’s D-Day in Broncos Country and George Paton needs to step up

Today is the day. Or at least that’s what everyone says.

Ever since it became apparent that Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t play for the Packers in 2021 or beyond, June 1 has been the date put forth as when the quarterback could be traded. Due to salary cap reasons, the theory went, Green Bay wanted to wait before moving the league’s reigning MVP.

So, here we are. Today is the day. The spot on the calendar that everyone has had circled in red.

For the past six weeks, the Broncos have been rumored as one of the lead suitors in the Rodgers sweepstakes. In fact, Vegas has Denver as the favorite to land the QB.

There are good reasons. The team is in need of a quarterback, they have a rich history with Hall of Fame signal callers and the Mile High City is one of the best pro football markets in the country.

It all makes sense. The pieces are all in place.

So it’s time for George Paton to pull the trigger. It’s time for the Broncos general manager to get it done.

Some have suggested that this bold of a move would be too much in year one of the GM’s tenure. They’re proponents of more slow-and-steady approach.

Balderdash.

How many times does a quarterback destined for Canton become available? Rarely. When one does, a team has to pounce, whether it’s day one or year 20 on the job.

Paton could jumpstart his legacy. By landing Rodgers, he’d all but ensure that the first four or five years of his time with the Broncos would be spent competing for a championship.

What other strategy is going to make Denver a Super Bowl team? Building a strong defense for Vic Fangio and hoping Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater can be a competent QB?

Good luck with that plan. Sounds like a good way to end up stuck in mediocrity, at best.

Fortune favors the bold. Very few great things were built without leaders taking risks.

That doesn’t mean being reckless. It means building a solid foundation and then rolling the dice when the opportunity arises.

That’s where the Broncos sit. Thanks to John Elway, as well as Paton, the franchise is in a position to be bold.

They have a good roster, save for the quarterback position. Their offense is loaded with young playmakers and a solid offensive line. Their defense is stocked with high-priced veterans. And their special teams boasts a Pro Bowl-caliber kicker.

Pro Football Focus ranks the Broncos roster as the sixth-best in the league. And that’s with Lock and Bridgewater at QB.

Throw in Rodgers and they might be No. 1. They’d certainly be a playoff team, perhaps even a contender to knock the Chiefs off their perch in the AFC West and atop the conference.

That’s why Paton has to pick up the phone today. His offer to Brian Gutekunst should be very simple.

Every year that Rodgers plays in Denver, the Packers get the Broncos first-round pick. Four years equals four picks. Five seasons nets five. Etc.

Figure out how long that’s going to be, sign Rodgers to a new contract for that period and package that many first-round picks to Green Bay. Simple. Clean. Done.

With Rodgers at the helm, the Broncos would be picking somewhere between 25 and 32. Their first-round choice would be in the bottom quarter every year.

That’s where teams land Sylvester Williams. That’s Bradley Roby territory.

The Broncos will be fine without those picks for the next few years. They don’t have any gaping holes to fill, so retaining their current talent, adding a free agent here and there, and hitting on day two picks would do the trick. Denver can survive the loss of future No. 1s while Rodgers is at the helm.

They can’t, however, afford to give up young talent. Part of the reason Rodgers makes sense for the Broncos is the roster that would be around him.

Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams are weapons that the QB could take to the next level. Sending them to Green Bay creates holes to fill.

Denver is good enough to win it all with Rodgers. Even with a shaky coaching staff, the Broncos are a contender with the QB. Heck, he helped Mike McCarthy win a Super Bowl; he could do the same for Vic Fangio.

It’s D-Day in Denver. Is George Paton ready to pounce?

Here’s hoping so.

Follow @jamesmerilatt