I get it...we’re absolutely nuts about quarterbacks around these parts. Lock, Bridgewater, Rypien

Who should start if Teddy can’t go?

Sorry, Denver media. You are asking the wrong question. See, the quarterback angle is the low-hanging fruit in Broncos Country that always is going to stir the crowd, but there’s something deeper to look at that isn’t getting enough time in the spotlight.

This team went 4-12 under these coaches last season. Sure, we’re 3-1, but didn’t most of us kinda expect this? Didn’t we think that the season really didn’t start until week 4?

The story for the 2021 Denver Broncos started last week...not what is Vic Fangio and his staff going to do to get another win on the board?

Don’t get me wrong here...I’m not making a statement about Vic being this or that. I am even reserving my take on Pat Shurmur, though I definitely have more questions than answers about his ability to be a capable offensive coordinator the more I see of his playcalling week after week.

What I want to point out is that last season was a throw-away and was in the tank before we even got to the halfway point. It wasn’t going to end any other way with a limited quarterback who wasn’t growing.

So now here we are and supposedly we have patched up a useable defense for Fangio and have a young, talented core of offensive players for Shurmur to use led by a quarterback who (when healthy) is a vast improvement over anything quarterbacking the team in the past few years.

We don’t even know if that key piece of the Denver offense will be able to suit up on Sunday.

But Pittsburgh looks beatable even on the road. Are you going to be able to find a way to win? Can you figure out how to generate offense and adjust in-game to find ways to produce points? Can you get your mastermind-led defense to generate turnovers or points if the offense needs help?

The onus here is on this coaching staff to put the players in a position to win. The biggest thing I don’t see in Fangio is fire. He’s just not a rah-rah coach and that’s fine, but the team could use some fire right now...maybe it isn’t in a big speech or post-game conference, but you should be getting the message to your team that you need to roll into Pittsburgh and kick that team in the teeth.

I’m fascinated by the opportunity for this coaching staff, this team, and this fanbase over the next three games. What is the story of the 2021 season? Are the coaches turning this team into a solid franchise or are we just peeing in the wind?

Let’s get ready and beat the Steelers by double digits on the road. Shake the doubt caused by one loss and get back on the path to tempering the metal of this team.

Broncos News:

Adam Schefter on Teddy Bridgewater: '[He is] a steadying, stabilizing force for this team'
ESPN's Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter discusses his thoughts on Teddy Bridgewater's performance so far this season, how this Broncos team can compete within the AFC West and more.

Broncos sign ILB Avery Williamson and WR Josh Malone to practice squad
Denver also released a pair of players from its practice squad in corresponding moves.

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Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan -- Urban Meyer 'must regain our trust and respect' after 'inexcusable' conduct
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Kansas City Chiefs DE Frank Clark pleads not guilty to California weapons charges
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Josh Gordon added to active roster for Kansas City Chiefs
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NFL power rankings: Rams hold off Cardinals despite loss - Sports Illustrated
Arizona is the NFL's lone undefeated team after beating the Rams. But the Cardinals couldn't displace Los Angeles from the top spot in our rankings.