2022 Denver Broncos season
The 2022 season will be the Denver Broncos' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 63rd overall, their second under the leadership of general manager George Paton and their first under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos will attempt to improve on their 7–10 record from 2021 and attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season, as they made a blockbuster trade to land former Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson.
| 2022 Denver Broncos season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | The Pat Bowlen Trust[1] |
| Head coach | Nathaniel Hackett |
| General manager | George Paton |
| Home field | Empower Field at Mile High |
| Uniform | |
 | |
Coaching changes
On January 9, one day after the Broncos' 2021 regular season finale, head coach Vic Fangio was fired after compiling a 19–30 record in three seasons and two consecutive last-place finishes.[2] On January 27, the Broncos finalized a deal for Nathaniel Hackett to become the 18th head coach in the franchise's history, replacing Vic Fangio. This will be Hackett's first head coaching gig, after previously serving as the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator from 2013–2014, the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator from 2015–2018 and the Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator from 2019–2021. Hackett becomes the Broncos' sixth different head coach since 2008.[3]
Since Hackett's hiring, the Broncos have undergone the following coaching changes:
| Position | Previous coach | 2022 replacement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offensive coordinator | Pat Shurmur, 2020–2021 | Justin Outten | [4] |
| Offensive line coach | Mike Munchak, 2019–2021 | Butch Barry | |
| Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach | Mike Shula, 2019–2021 | Klint Kubiak | |
| Assistant offensive line coach | Chris Kuper, 2019–2021 | Ben Steele | [5] |
| Assistant special teams coach | Chris Gould, 2017–2021 | Mike Mallory | |
| Linebackers coach | Reggie Herring, 2015–2021 | Peter Hansen | |
| Outside linebackers coach | John Pagano, 2020–2021 | Bert Watts | |
| Offensive quality control coach | Chris Cook, 2021 Justin Rascati, 2019–2021 | Ramon Chinyoung | |
| Senior defensive assistant | None | Dom Capers | |
| Tight ends coach | Wade Harman, 2019–2021 | Jake Moreland | |
| Assistant defensive backs coach | None | Ola Adams | [6] |
| Running backs coach | Curtis Modkins, 2018–2021 | Tyrone Wheatley | [7] |
| Defensive coordinator | Ed Donatell, 2019–2021 | Ejiro Evero | [8] |
| Defensive line coach | Bill Kollar, 2015–2021 | Marcus Dixon | |
| Special teams coach | Tom McMahon, 2018–2021 | Dwayne Stukes | |
| Defensive quality control coach | Nathaniel Willingham, 2019–2021 | Andrew Carter | [9] |
- Note: Bill Kollar will remain on the Broncos' coaching staff as a defensive consultant.[10]
Front office changes
On February 3, Darren Mougey, who served as the Broncos' Director of Player Personnel in 2021, was promoted to assistant general manager. Mougey previously served as a Broncos' scouting assistant from 2012–2020.[11]
Roster changes
Future contracts
All players listed below were signed to reserve/future contracts from January 10–12, unless noted otherwise. Each player was officially added to the active roster on March 16—the first day of the 2022 league year.[12]
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TE | Shaun Beyer | |
| RB | Damarea Crockett | |
| WR | Travis Fulgham | |
| OT | Drew Himmelman | |
| G | Zack Johnson | |
| DE | Jonathan Kongbo | |
| DE | Marquiss Spencer | |
| OT | Casey Tucker | signed January 20[13] |
| LB | Barrington Wade |
Unrestricted
| Position | Player | 2022 team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Teddy Bridgewater | Miami Dolphins | signed with the Dolphins on March 14[14] |
| CB | Bryce Callahan | TBD | |
| OT | Cameron Fleming | TBD | |
| CB | Mike Ford | Atlanta Falcons | signed with the Falcons on April 8[15] |
| CB | Kyle Fuller | TBD | |
| RB | Melvin Gordon | Denver Broncos | re-signed April 27[16] |
| CB | Nate Hairston | Minnesota Vikings | signed with the Vikings on March 28[17] |
| NT | Justin Hamilton | TBD | originally an RFA |
| S | Kareem Jackson | Denver Broncos | re-signed April 11[18] |
| LB | Josey Jewell | Denver Broncos | re-signed March 15[19] |
| LB | A. J. Johnson | TBD | |
| C | Brett Jones | TBD | |
| LB | Micah Kiser | Las Vegas Raiders | signed with the Raiders on March 21[20] |
| OT | Bobby Massie | TBD | |
| LB | Natrez Patrick | TBD | originally an RFA |
| TE | Eric Saubert | Denver Broncos | re-signed May 4 |
| G | Austin Schlottmann | Minnesota Vikings | originally an RFA, signed with the Vikings on March 16[21] |
| WR | Diontae Spencer | TBD | originally an RFA |
| DE | Shamar Stephen | TBD | |
| LB | Stephen Weatherly | Cleveland Browns | signed with the Browns on April 18[22] |
| NT | DeShawn Williams | Denver Broncos | originally an RFA, re-signed March 18[23] |
| LB | Kenny Young | TBD |
Note: Unrestricted free agents who were originally Restricted free agents (RFA) had three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season, and did not receive a qualifying offer before the start of the 2022 league year on March 16.
Restricted and exclusive-rights
| Position | Player | Tag | 2022 team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OT | Calvin Anderson | RFA | Denver Broncos | re-signed March 13[24] |
| TE | Andrew Beck | RFA | Denver Broncos | re-signed March 13[24] |
| LB | Jonas Griffith | ERFA | Denver Broncos | assigned tender on March 13[24] |
| RB | Adrian Killins | ERFA | TBD | |
| S | P. J. Locke | ERFA | Denver Broncos | assigned tender on March 13,[24] re-signed April 11[25] |
| LB | Malik Reed | RFA | Denver Broncos | assigned tender on March 17,[26] re-signed April 11[25] |
| QB | Brett Rypien | ERFA | Denver Broncos | assigned tender on March 13,[24] re-signed April 11[25] |
| Restricted Free Agent (RFA): Players with three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season Exclusive-Rights Free Agent (ERFA): Players with two or fewer accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season | ||||
Signings
| Position | Player | 2021 team(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CB | Bless Austin | Denver Broncos Seattle Seahawks | signed April 27[27] |
| CB | Essang Bassey | Denver Broncos Los Angeles Chargers | claimed off waivers from the Chargers on February 14[28] |
| G | Ben Braden | Green Bay Packers | signed March 14[29] |
| OT | Tom Compton | San Francisco 49ers | signed March 17[30] |
| DE | Randy Gregory | Dallas Cowboys | signed March 18[31] |
| QB | Josh Johnson | New York Jets Baltimore Ravens | signed March 18[32] |
| DT | D. J. Jones | San Francisco 49ers | signed March 14[33] |
| CB | Donnie Lewis | None | signed April 27[27] |
| WR | Trey Quinn | None | signed April 27[27] |
| S | J. R. Reed | Los Angeles Rams New York Giants | signed March 21[34] |
| LB | Alex Singleton | Philadelphia Eagles | signed March 18[35] |
| TE | Eric Tomlinson | Baltimore Ravens | signed March 15[36] |
| OT | Billy Turner | Green Bay Packers | signed March 24[37] |
| CB | K'Waun Williams | San Francisco 49ers | signed March 23[38] |
Draft
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 64 | Nik Bonitto | LB | Oklahoma |
| 3 | 80 | Greg Dulcich | TE | UCLA |
| 4 | 115 | Damarri Mathis | CB | Pittsburgh |
| 116 | Eyioma Uwazurike | DE | Iowa State | |
| 5 | 152 | Delarrin Turner-Yell | S | Oklahoma |
| 162 | Montrell Washington | WR | Samford | |
| 171 | Luke Wattenberg | C | Washington | |
| 6 | 206 | Matt Henningsen | DE | Wisconsin |
| 7 | 232 | Faion Hicks | CB | Wisconsin |
Trades
| Trade partner | Broncos give | Broncos receive | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | WR Trinity Benson 2023 sixth-round selection | 2022 fifth-round selection (No. 145 overall—later traded to SEA) 2022 seventh-round selection (No. 234 overall—later traded to GB) | [39][40] |
| Green Bay Packers | 2022 fifth-round selection (No. 179 overall—from IND) 2022 seventh-round selection (No. 234 overall—from DET) | 2022 fifth-round selection (No. 171 overall) | [41] |
| Houston Texans | original 2022 second-round selection (No. 75 overall) | 2022 second- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 80 and 162 overall) | [42] |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2022 second-round selection (No. 96 overall—from LAR) | 2022 fifth-round selection (No. 179 overall—later traded to GB) 2023 third-round selection | [43] |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2024 sixth-round selection | LB Kenny Young 2024 seventh-round selection | [44] |
| LB Von Miller | 2022 second-round selection (No. 64 overall) 2022 third-round selection (No. 96 overall—later traded to IND) | [45] | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2022 seventh-round selection (No. 250 overall—from SF) | LB Stephen Weatherly 2023 seventh-round selection | [46] |
| Philadelphia Eagles | CB Kary Vincent Jr. | 2022 sixth-round selection (No. 206 overall) | [47] |
| San Francisco 49ers | original 2022 sixth-round selection (No. 187 overall) 2023 seventh-round selection | LB Jonas Griffith 2022 seventh-round selection (No. 250 overall—later traded to MIN) | [48] |
| Seattle Seahawks | See next section below | ||
Trade for Russell Wilson
On March 8, the Broncos made an agreement to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round selection (No. 116 overall) from the Seattle Seahawks, in one of the largest trades in NFL history. The Broncos sent quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive end Shelby Harris, their 2022 first-, second- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 9, 40 and 145 overall) and their 2023 first- and second-round selections to the Seahawks in exchange. The trade became official on March 16—the first day of the 2022 league year. In his ten seasons in Seattle (2012–2021), Wilson reached nine Pro Bowls, led the Seahawks to eight playoff appearances and two Super Bowl berths, including a 43–8 victory over the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson will become the Broncos' 12th different starting quarterback since Peyton Manning's retirement after their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season—tied with the Washington Commanders for the most in the NFL during that span.[49][50]
Staff
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| |||||
Current roster
Preseason
The Broncos' preseason opponents and schedule will be announced in the spring.
Regular season
2022 opponents
On May 4, the NFL announced that the Broncos will play the Jacksonville Jaguars during Week 8 on October 30 at Wembley Stadium in London, as part of the league's International Series. The game will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. GMT/7:30 a.m. MDT, and will be televised by ESPN+, with the Jaguars serving as the home team. It will be the Broncos' second game in London, following a 24–16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2010.[51]
The remainder of the Broncos' 2022 schedule, with exact dates and times, will be announced on May 12. Listed below are the Broncos' opponents for 2022:[52]
| Category | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Division opponents (AFC West) | Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers | |
| Conference opponents (AFC South) | Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars (in London) Tennessee Titans |
| Conference opponents (based on 2021 division placement) | New York Jets | Baltimore Ravens |
| Interconference opponents (NFC West) | Arizona Cardinals San Francisco 49ers | Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks |
| Interconference opponent (based on 2021 division placement) | N/A | Carolina Panthers |
References
- Broncos potential owner tracker: Who will buy the team?
- O'Halloran, Ryan (January 9, 2022). "Vic Fangio fired as Broncos head coach after three losing seasons". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (January 27, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with Nathaniel Hackett as head coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 2, 2022). "Broncos name Justin Outten as offensive coordinator, announce additional coaching hires". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 14, 2022). "Broncos announce seven additions to coaching staff". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 15, 2022). "Broncos announce three more additions to coaching staff". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 16, 2022). "Broncos name Tyrone Wheatley as running backs coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 17, 2022). "Broncos announce hires of DC Ejiro Evero, STC Dwayne Stukes and DL Coach Marcus Dixon". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 22, 2022). "Broncos name Andrew Carter as defensive quality control coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- Klis, Mike (February 7, 2022). "Azzanni returns, but Modkins likely headed to Vikings and Kollar moving to consultant as Broncos coaching shakeup continues". 9 News Denver. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- Swanson, Ben (February 3, 2022). "Broncos promote Darren Mougey to assistant general manager". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- Swanson, Ben (January 12, 2022). "Broncos sign DE Jonathan Kongbo to future contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (January 20, 2022). "Broncos sign T Casey Tucker to future contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- Shook, Nick (March 14, 2022). "QB Teddy Bridgewater signing one-year deal worth up to $10M with Dolphins". NFL. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- Alper, Josh (April 8, 2022). "Falcons sign Mike Ford". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (April 27, 2022). "Broncos sign RB Melvin Gordon III to one-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- Alper, Josh (March 28, 2022). "Vikings sign Nate Hairston, Tye Smith". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- Swanson, Ben (April 11, 2022). "Broncos sign safety Kareem Jackson to new one-year contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 15, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with ILB Josey Jewell on two-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- Simmons, Myles (March 21, 2022). "Raiders signing Micah Kiser". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- Williams, Charean (March 16, 2022). "Vikings sign Austin Schlottmann". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
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- DiLalla, Aric (April 11, 2022). "OLB Malik Reed signs restricted free agent tender". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 17, 2022). "Broncos extend right of first refusal tender to OLB Malik Reed". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- Swanson, Ben (April 27, 2022). "Broncos sign CBs Bless Austin and Donnie Lewis Jr., WR Trey Quinn". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (February 14, 2022). "Broncos assigned CB Essang Bassey, P Corliss Waitman off waivers". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 14, 2022). "Broncos sign G Ben Braden". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 17, 2022). "Broncos sign T Tom Compton to one-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 18, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with OLB Randy Gregory". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 18, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with QB Josh Johnson on one-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 14, 2022). "Media report: Broncos agree to terms with DT D.J. Jones on three-year contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 21, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with S J.R. Reed on one-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 18, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with LB Alex Singleton on one-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
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- O'Halloran, Ryan (March 24, 2022). "Broncos add veteran Billy Turner to right tackle mix". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 23, 2022). "Broncos sign CB K'Waun Williams to two-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (August 31, 2021). "Broncos agree to trade WR Trinity Benson to Lions for 2022 fifth- and seventh-round picks". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- Heath, Jon (April 14, 2022). "Team actually has 9 draft picks, not 8 as expected". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (April 30, 2022). "Broncos trade up, select C Luke Wattenberg with 171st-overall pick". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (April 29, 2022). "Broncos select TE Greg Dulcich with 80th-overall pick". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (April 29, 2022). "Broncos pick up 2023 third-round pick in trade with Colts". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (October 25, 2021). "Broncos agree to trade with Rams for ILB Kenny Young". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- DiLalla, Aric (November 3, 2021). "Broncos agree to trade with Rams to acquire 2022 second- and third-round picks for OLB Von Miller". Denver Broncos. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- DiLalla, Aric (October 23, 2021). "Broncos acquire OLB Stephen Weatherly in trade with Vikings, place ILB Micah Kiser on IR". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- DiLalla, Aric (November 2, 2021). "Broncos trading CB Kary Vincent Jr. to Eagles for 2022 sixth-round pick". Denver Broncos. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- DiLalla, Aric (August 31, 2021). "Broncos agree to terms on trade with 49ers to acquire LB Jonas Griffith". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- Schefter, Adam (March 8, 2022). "Sources: Seattle Seahawks agree to trade QB Russell Wilson to Denver Broncos, get three players, picks". ESPN. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- DiLalla, Aric (March 16, 2022). "Broncos trade for nine-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- "NFL ANNOUNCES OPPONENTS AND DATES FOR FIVE INTERNATIONAL GAMES IN 2022". NFL Communications. May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
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External links
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