With Russell Wilson, a new coach, and new ownership, the 2022 Denver Broncos were poised to make considerable noise in 2022. So, what the heck happened?

In retrospect, the press conference debuting Russell Wilson gave us a glimpse at just who was going to lead the Broncos in 2022. Remember Nathaniel Hackett so giddy with excitement, barely unable to contain himself at the joy that he’d been gifted a future hall of famer?

Needless to say, the Nathaniel Hackett hire will hang over the Broncos as the biggest coaching failure since Josh McDaniels. Sure, with Hackett there was no cheating, but the guy also handed away all of his coaching duties and still found a way to lose with historically low point totals. At least McDaniels had a brief taste of winning before crashing the Broncos headlong into the ravine of suckitude.

Then there were the injuries. If the Denver Broncos are going to be successful, the ACL and hamstring injuries need to return to acceptable levels. Contending for the league lead in players on injured reserve can no longer be tolerated. All hyperbole and hand-wringing aside from training staff apologists, it clear that changes need to be made to ensure the long-term health of the Broncos going forward.

So what about Russell Wilson?

Sunday’s game against the Chargers and last week’s game against the Chiefs showed that there is potential for success. Maybe it’s not time to spin that quarterback carousel again just yet. Wilson needs an advocate at head coach. He needs someone who will put him in position to succeed. We have seen the pocket passer he isn’t. The Wilson trade may yet pay dividends, but it’s imperative that whoever coaches the Broncos in 2023 understands his strengths and weaknesses going forward.

Throw dirt on the 2022 season. Turn the page. Move on. This is the seventh time since the Super Bowl season of 2015 that I have sat here early on a Monday morning trying to memorialize another season of wasted potential.

How the Broncos approach these next few months will dictate the story of the 2023 season. For years, the Denver Broncos lacked leadership. For the first time in a long time, there is an ownership group with a vested interest in creating a winning culture in Denver. We can only hope that translates into near-term success.

Let’s ride.

Headlines

‘That’s how you play winning football’: Broncos show signs of future potential in 31-28 win over Chargers
In the eyes of Interim Head Coach Jerry Rosburg, who earned a world championship during his tenure with the Ravens, the Broncos showed flashes of several key traits that successful football teams must possess.

‘[He] was special this game and all year’: Jerry Jeudy sends Broncos into offseason with 193-yard performance
“I feel like the coaches did a great job using me and putting me in the right spots to make plays, and I feel like I took advantage of the opportunities they gave me," Jeudy said after the game.

Denver Broncos defensive line coach Bill Kollar to retire | 9news.com
An NFL defensive line coach for 32 consecutive seasons until scaling back to a defensive consultant this year, Bill Kollar is retiring from coaching.

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers NFL game story | 9news.com
Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes to help lead the Denver Broncos past the Los Angeles Chargers 31-28 in the final game of their season.

Chargers' Brandon Staley defends playing starters with 5-seed locked
Chargers coach Brandon Staley offered no apology after playing his starters throughout most of Sunday's regular-season finale, a game in which Mike Williams suffered a back injury.

Chargers' Mike Williams suffers back spasms in loss to Broncos, X-rays negative, per reports - CBSSports.com
Joey Bosa also exited the meaningless Week 18 game

2023 NFL head coach tracker: Texans fire Lovie Smith after one season, could be eyeing DeMeco Ryans - CBSSports.com
Another one-and-done down south

2023 NFL Draft order, team needs: Texans cost themselves No. 1 pick with late TD, conversion; Bears pick 1st - CBSSports.com
Five NFL teams are without a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

Robert Saleh "sorry to everybody" for how Jets season concluded - ProFootballTalk

Baker Mayfield: I know I'm a starting quarterback - ProFootballTalk

Quay Walker ejected for shoving a member of the Lions' medical staff as Detroit takes lead - ProFootballTalk

Wild card playoff schedule: Cowboys-Bucs will play on Monday Night Football - ProFootballTalk

Jerry Jones: Cowboys must find motivation in 'nightmare' finale loss
"That was as thorough a butt-kicking as we've had this year," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Sunday following his team's 26-6 defeat to end the regular season.

Detroit puts to rest 'Same Old Lions' narrative with win over Packers
Following a win over the Packers to clinch their first winning season since 2017, the Detroit Lions were anxious to put the "Same Old Lions" narrative to rest.

Jalen Hurts pushes through injury to deliver Eagles top seed in NFC
Jalen Hurts' return to the lineup wasn't dazzling but proved an overall success, as the Eagles clinched the division and top seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over the Giants on Sunday.

Aaron Rodgers to contemplate future after 'emotion' of season has passed
Following an abrupt end to the Packers' season Sunday night, Aaron Rodgers said he needed to step away from the emotions of the moment before contemplating his future.

Bills honor Damar Hamlin in emotional win to cap 'hard week'
Buffalo held on to beat the Patriots on Sunday, but the game was all about honoring safety Damar Hamlin, who was watching from a hospital after suffering cardiac arrest on the field on Monday night.

Bills RB Nyheim Hines returns opening kickoff 96 yards for stunning TD in win over Patriots
Nyheim Hines, whom the Bills acquired at November's trade deadline, took the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to give Buffalo a 7-0 lead on Sunday against the Patriots. Hines wasn't done, as he returned a second kickoff for a score in the second h

NFL stats and records, Week 18: Bucs' Tom Brady sets single-season mark for attempts, completions
NFL Research offers the best nuggets from each week of games in the NFL. Here are the most eye-popping statistical accomplishments from Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season.

2022 NFL season, Week 18: What We Learned from Sunday's games
Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday's Week 18 action.

Steelers end up with de facto first-round pick in 2023 NFL Draft from Chase Claypool trade with Bears - CBSSports.com
Pittsburgh may want to send a thank you card to the Texans

Eagles vs. Giants score, takeaways: Philadelphia clinches NFC's No. 1 seed in Jalen Hurts' return - CBSSports.com
Philadelphia, which also locked up the NFC East title, was in full control in its Week 18 meeting vs. New York