George Paton claims even if the Broncos were 5-3 he would’ve traded Chubb
Nov 1, 2022, 4:33 PM
Count this as a little curious.
Just hours after trading edge-rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins, and landing a first-round pick (among other assets) in the process, Broncos GM George Paton said Denver’s 3-5 record didn’t have an affect on his willingness to do the deal. Asked specifically if he would’ve done the trade if Denver were 5-3 and a serious playoff contender, Paton claimed he would have.
“We would’ve made this trade regardless. We just felt the value was too good, we believe in our young depth, we believe in our defense. Moving forward, we have other holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball. We would’ve made this trade regardless,” Paton said.
It’s a very eye-opening answer from one of Denver’s top bosses. It’s no secret the offense has been pitiful through eight games, so clearly he felt a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft was critical. Denver didn’t have one before today, trading their 2023 first-rounder to the Seahawks in the Russell Wilson deal.
Paton not only landed the pick from Miami, which originally belonged to the 49ers, but scored running back Chase Edmonds as well. He’ll join a room that includes Latavius Murray and Melvin Gordon. The Broncos are currently 31st in the NFL in point per game.
But with Paton’s perplexing admission, does this mean fans had too high of expectations for the 2022 season? 104.3 The Fan’s DMac asked just that, including mentioning fans have left two home games early this season. What is Paton’s message to Broncos Country?
“I would tell them our goals haven’t changed,” Paton said. “We feel we can still win moving forward. We feel we have depth out the outside linebacker position. We have a top-5 defense. We feel like the offense is trending in the right direction. We believe in our coaching staff, we believe in our players and we feel like we can make a push in the second half.”
A postseason push will still be the goal, mostly because the chaotic AFC is wide open near the bottom of the playoff standings, but now the Broncos will have to do it without one of their best defenders in Chubb.
Believe him or not, Paton says that was always going to be the case. Regardless of the team’s painful and underachieving start to the year.
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