How do the Broncos manage expectations in year one of Hackett / Wilson?

I expect the Denver Broncos to win a lot of games this season. When their 17-game regular season schedule came out earlier this month, I had them pegged for 13 wins – at least 12 of them – with a couple of games that could go either way. Things have changed with Russell Wilson at quarterback, and the standard of excellence we’ve commonly known with the Broncos has returned.

The Broncos have undergone a lot of changes to the roster and the coaching staff but make no doubt about it the expectations for this team are high. On Tuesday, defensive lineman D.J. Jones and wide receiver Courtland Sutton talked to the media at UC Health Training Center. Both players talked about what they expect from this team in 2022.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett knows how important it is to get Wilson on the same page of the players around him so they can perform as many expect them to this season.

“It’s all about the command of the system. We want to build this thing completely around him and make sure that he’s comfortable and watch him come alive. We just have to keep developing that—the integration of the system, his feel with the rest of the team and how he is with the other guys—the wide receivers, tight ends — and getting those guys all on the same page,” Hackett said.

How do the Broncos manage expectations? Let’s take a look.

***

Winning Not Whining

Jones was quick to comment about the new energy around the building. He comes from the San Francisco 49ers where he became a star player for them up front. Jones knows what it takes to make a deep postseason run, and now he’s bringing that experience to the Mile High City. It starts with the energy at the top of the franchise, and the coaching staff has these players excited about what’s to come.

The Broncos seem like a tight-knit group – and it’s May. Imagine how this team will play for each other after going through the rigors of the offseason, training camp and the preseason. Building a sense of energy, family and accountability seem to be what Hackett and his staff are implementing.

“Winning comes with not worrying about winning and just worrying about your group and your team. We won (in San Francisco) because we were a family and because we were in that locker room and on the field — we were tight. Everybody had trust in one another. That’s something that we’re building here. That’s something that’s already been here, but you can always get better at that,” Jones said.

"Everyone wants to get back to winning." DJ Jones #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) May 24, 2022

***

Bleeding Football

As I wrote earlier this week for DenverFan.com, I feel Sutton is becoming the favorite for Wilson among all the receivers. Sutton has a nice size/speed combination which makes him a great downfield target. Wilson is one of the best deep throwers in the NFL, and his passes arc over the top of the defense like a rainbow into the waiting hands of his receivers. Sutton’s skill set just matches what Wilson wants the most – and on the practice field they’re already forging a great connection.

The faster chemistry is built between Wilson and his targets the better it is for the team. Sutton talked about the preparation that he’s doing for the season, and that matches what Wilson has done – and demanded from others. Proper preparation means the team will be ready when it’s crunch time. They’re working now to build good habits so they can perform at a high level when the pressure is turned up to 11.

“I would say one of the things for him is that winning football is his—he bleeds football. Saying that, he watches the film, and he prepares himself to be able to be in the right place at the right time and at all times to give himself an A, B, C in whatever the situation may be. (It’s) all off of his preparation. I think that’s the thing that allows us to be able to gain that connection with him. He’s prepping, but he’s also bringing us along with the prep. He knows where we’re going to be, and we know where the ball is going to be,” Sutton said.

"RW is prepping, but he's bringing us along with the prep. I can see what he sees, I can explain what I see and BOOM we're on the same page…it's about the daily deposits." Courtland Sutton #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) May 24, 2022

***

Honesty is the Best Policy

I thought it was interesting to note how Sutton mentioned how what the Broncos did in the past wasn’t working. You can tell he believes in work ethic and the power of positive thinking, so Sutton wants to put the work in every day – stacking bricks to improve and get better. He’s always been a hard worker, and I appreciate how Sutton was honest about where this team was compared to where they are with Wilson.

What you think about you bring about, and Sutton is solely focused on improving every day. Not only that, but the rest of the team knows their best is expected from here on out. Things are different with Wilson, and this is the type of attitude adjustment the franchise needed after getting mired in less-than-mediocrity after winning Super Bowl 50. Sutton is ready to be a part of that change.

“It’s the standard. Understanding that whatever we had been doing isn’t enough. You have to bring more to the table and also be able to maximize the opportunities. I’m huge on whenever you’re in the building and you’re in wherever you are, maximizing those opportunities. Being where your feet are is a huge thing. I know I’m huge on it and I know that ‘Russ’ is huge on it. I think with him being in the building, he encourages that being brought from everybody—from the coaches, players and everyone. Everyone’s best is required every single day,” Sutton said.

"it's the standard…understanding that whatever we had been doing is not enough…you've got to bring more to the table." Courtland Sutton #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) May 24, 2022

***

Follow @CecilLammey