The Broncos whiffed by not keeping two players now excelling elsewhere

A pass rusher and an offensive lineman who were in Denver last season are now thriving with new teams, making it hard to not wonder about what might've been

BY JAMES MERILATT

Sep 24, 2019, 11:31 AM Updated: Sep 25, 2019, 2:03 pm

Follow on Google News

Watch: The good, the bad and the UGLY from Broncos Preseason Game No. 2 | 11 mins

Players come and go; that’s the nature of sports. But when someone leaves on franchise, heads to another and reaches a higher level of performance, it’s painful to watch.

It’s impossible not to wonder what might’ve been, no matter the situation. But when the former players are excelling at a position of need for the ex-team, it’s even more excruciating.

Such is the case for the Broncos right now, as two players who were once in Denver are now thriving in new locales. And given how things are currently going in the Mile High City, their services are much needed here.

Everyone is painfully aware of the fact that Denver has yet to record a single sack during the first three games of the season, an amazing stat given that their defense boasts Von Miller on one side and Bradley Chubb on the other. So to watch a former Bronco constantly harass opposing quarterbacks is a punch to the gut.

In the season opener, Shaq Barrett recorded one sack. In Week 2, he added three more. And on Sunday, the Buccaneers pass rusher posted another four.

Update: Shaq Barrett adds another sack and forced fumble. Up to 4 sacks today and 8 more than the Denver Broncos on the season.

— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) September 22, 2019

That hurts. A player who was here, who the Broncos knew could get after the quarterback, was allowed to leave via free agency. Now, he’s the NFL’s sack leader through three games.

On the other side the ball, the Broncos are also struggling in the trenches. On Sunday, they surrendered six sacks against the Packers. So seeing a former offensive lineman playing and thriving elsewhere is tough to stomach.

Former Miami Dolphin and current Green Bay Packer Billy Turner has been the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL so far this season, per ESPN Analytics pic.twitter.com/XbS8esS3TH

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 24, 2019

Sandwiched in between those stints with Miami and Green Bay were two-plus seasons in Denver. With the Broncos, Turner appeared in 20 games and started 11, so they got a good look at his abilities.

Nonetheless, they let him walk. Despite another offseason of retooling the offensive line, Turner wasn’t seen as part of the solution. Given the injury history of Ron Leary, as well as the veteran’s uninspired play when he is healthy, it’s hard to believe that Turner wouldn’t have been a better option at right guard.

Right now, the Broncos can’t protect their own quarterback and they can’t get to the opposing team’s signal caller. Two players who could help solve those problems were in Denver in 2018, but have found new homes this season. And the more they thrive in 2019, it’s another reminder of bad personnel decisions in the Mile High City.