Are the Broncos on the hot seat?

You can't help but wonder if Russ simply just can't cook like he used to. PIC: USA Today Sports

Russell Wilson's mega-deal with the Broncos was something that turned heads this summer, but after some thought, many believed it was a move that might've been necessary.

Now, the doubters might have an "I told you so" moment.

The Broncos came into this year with all the momentum in the world. Russ getting the bag (nearly $50 mil per year over 5 years). A full wide receiver room with Cortland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler all fully healthy. A future star in running back Javonte Williams. Pat Surtain II emerging as a solid cornerback in year 2, and Bradley Chubb just a season removed from his status as #40 on the NFL Top 100 list. Lots to be optimistic about, right?

Fast forward to October 2022. The Broncos are 2-3. They're banged up - new head coach Nathaniel Hackett's decision-making is already being heavily scrutinized.

Russ is coming off - to be frank - an atrocious game in which the only real impactful passes he threw were to Colts players, resulting in 2 interceptions. This has to be the most difficult time in his whole career. He has to be feeling strongly about the situation - because obviously with throws like this, there's something wrong with his game this season.

This was the icing on the cake for what was an early contender for one of the worst games of the 2022-23 NFL season. Not a single touchdown all game - this was the first time ever that two 4x-or-more Pro Bowl quarterbacks faced off against each other and neither scored a touchdown. What an insane statistic considering neither defense is exactly hall-of-fame worthy.

When the Colts tied it up at 9-9 with just seconds to go in the 4th quarter, overtime was all but a surety. Instead of sticking it out and watching the end of the game, a mass of Broncos fans LEFT! Their team was heading to overtime and they physically left the building. If this isn't a "yikes" moment for Russ, Hackett, John Elway, and the rest of the Broncos and their brass, I'm not sure what is.

The Broncos essentially sent 5 draft picks, Noah Fant, and Drew Lock to the Seahawks for Russ. Was this all worth it? Could they have competed in a similar spot had they not made this move? Gotta think there are some questions in Denver tonight.