The Denver Broncos enter the 2024 season on an eight-year playoff drought. They last made the postseason in 2015, when they defeated the Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl.
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Since then, it’s been pretty dry in the Rocky Mountains, with the Broncos only winning more than eight games one time, back in 2016. Still, the team is feeling hopeful entering its second season under head coach Sean Payton.
Denver went 8-9 last year but will be looking to use running back Javonte Williams more this season. Payton-led teams typically rely on the run game, so having Williams will be crucial to the success of the team.
The former second-round draft pick will have to prove that he can be the long-term answer for Denver this season and it seems that he has slimmed down after his time at OTAs. Payton praised Williams for the work he has put in this summer as he enters a critical time in his career.
“He’s lost weight. He looks trim. I thought he looked sharp today,” Payton said. “He looked much different. His weight’s down and I’m proud of him.”
Last season, Williams appeared in 16 games, rushing for 774 yards and three touchdowns. He lost some of his explosive bursts that put him on the map with the Broncos, but he was coming back from an ACL injury.
Now, more than a season removed from the injury, Williams is looking to get back to where he was following his impressive rookie campaign.
“We were watching him, all the runs, and I was asking him questions, and I said, ‘This is the back I want’.” Payton said.
As a rookie, Williams posted 903 yards and four scores, showing that he belonged in the NFL.
With a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix coming in, the value of Williams goes up immensely. The Broncos will try to rely on the running game to help Nix ease into the NFL and Williams is expected to get first-team reps early on.
If he can show out, he will likely stay as the starter. But the Broncos have some other pieces behind him that are ready to take the job, namely veteran Samaje Perine. Denver believes in Williams, but now it’s time for him to show he can be the guy for the Broncos this season.
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