The sky isn’t falling, Broncos Country

Good morning, Broncos Country.

Today is the third of August and some fans think the sky is falling.

Folks, you will save yourself a lot of headaches if you just go along for the ride and not get too worried about some of the training camp happen stances to date. Here is a prime example of what I’m talking about—and I’m sure you can already guess where this discussion is headed.

Russell Wilson has thrown five interceptions in camp to date, causing an uproar across social media. Some even going to the lengths to say he is firmly cooked. Hyperbole can be fun to engage in, but are we really going to say the upcoming season is a lost cause due to this?

Head Coach Sean Payton thinks otherwise and said as much after Wednesday’s practice.

“Yeah, no big whoop. He’s doing fine.”

Nobody likes seeing their quarterback throw interceptions, but are we really going to lose our minds over them happening in the early days of training camp?

Let’s have some perspective. Significant changes have occurred. There’s a new coaching staff, a new offensive system, and a ton of other unique variables at play. In fact, a lot of what is going on in camp lacks context. Quite hard to provide that in-depth due to limitations set on reporters on the ground participating in the festivities. Specifics and nuance are hard to come by on social media platforms giving you news in 180 characters or less.

That being said, it’s important to understand the Broncos’ 2023 script has yet to be written. What Wilson is doing now isn’t an absolute foreshadow of things that have not yet come to pass. It’s rather short-sighted to throw out doom and gloom narratives before the important games that actually matter happen.

It’s perfectly fine to have some reservations about Wilson’s fit with Sean Payton. It’s perfectly fine to ponder and wonder if the two will be able to mesh. But that’s what training camp is for. It’s about learning a new system, it’s about getting all the kinks out, it’s about finding what it takes to succeed when the bright lights turn on.

All these things take time. If Wilson doesn’t look good in the first couple of games and is mailing the ball to the other team—then there might be some legitimate legs to the doom and gloom narrative. But for now? Let’s just relax and enjoy the fact that Broncos’ football is back.

As always, thank you for reading. Here are a handful of stories for today’s edition of Horse Tracks.

Broncos News and Tidbits

Sean Payton, Aaron Rodgers: Why Broncos-Jets won’t be on Sunday night
The league’s hottest feud will definitely NOT get a Sunday night game.

Caden Sterns is emerging as Justin Simmons’ new sidekick in Denver’s stacked secondary
Will this finally be the season Sterns stays healthy and breaks out for the Broncos?

Suspended Broncos player accused of betting on NFL, college games
Eyioma Uwazurike now faces a criminal investigation for betting on games.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin sends message to the NFL about Broncos vs. Jets beef
After all the back and forth drama, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says the Broncos-Jets Week 5 game needs to be on national TV.

Tony Dungy responds to Sean Payton’s violation of coaches ‘code’
Dungy believes that there are certain things coaches just aren’t supposed to say publicly.

NFL News and Tidbits

Falcons named dark horse for NFL's top offense in 2023
Can Bijan Robinson help propel Atlanta's young offense to new heights?

NFL notebook: Howell trying to nail down starting QB job for Commanders
Sam Howell played only one game last season as a rookie, but the 2022 fifth-round pick has the inside track to be Washington's starter this year.

NFL RBs who could have played other positions, avoided market crash: Christian McCaffrey, Tony Pollard, more
Garrett Podell discusses several running backs who could have played other positions to avoid being devalued. What do you think?

Browns tackle Joe Thomas was an iron man, Cleveland’s own on his NFL journey to the Hall of Fame
Remember that time Joe Thomas almost became a member of the Denver Broncos?

NFL considers alternatives to the kickoff, including the XFL model
Player safety is cited as the primary reason for potential changes.

NFL training camp fights tracker for 2023 preseason – NBC New York
As battles get heated at NFL training camps, things can get chippy. Here's a tracker of all the fights and skirmishes from 2023 preseason practices.