Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos legend thinks Sean Payton can fix Russell Wilson

The Denver Broncos are taking an expensive gamble that Sean Payton can fix whatever troubled quarterback Russell Wilson during the 2022 season. There is at least one Broncos legend, Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis, who thinks he can. 

Davis told TMZ Sports that he is all-in on Payton and believes he has the ability to get Wilson back on track. 

"I've already seen what he can do with quarterbacks, which leads me to be very positive in what he can do with Russell Wilson," Davis said of Payton.

That was a very obvious shot at former head coach Nathaniel Hackett who did not even make it through his first season as the Broncos head coach. It was clear from the beginning that Hackett was in over his head and was not going to be able to do anything for Wilson or the Broncos offense.

"He's not washed. He's not broken," Davis said of Wilson. "But obviously, when you have a surrounding support system that doesn't support what you do well, it will expose your flaws."

Now the Broncos are hoping that Payton can do what Hackett couldn't.

On one hand, Payton's track record as an offensive coach is one of the best in the NFL. But the Broncos have spent so many draft picks and player assets to acquire Wilson and Payton that it has severely depleted their draft-pick stockpile, while Wilson's contract has eaten up a ton of salary-cap space. That is going to give Payton an incredibly difficult job when it comes to making the team competitive again.

Denver had one of the league's best defenses a year ago, but its offense was among the worst.

The Broncos have not made the playoffs since the 2015 season (seven consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance) and have not had a winning record since the 2016 season. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Report: Cowboys quietly 'all in' on Dak Prescott decision
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight temporarily postponed
Diamondbacks ace heading to injured list with hamstring strain
Golden Knights, key winger have mutual interest but face financial crunch
Caitlin Clark frustrated by physical WNBA play: 'I feel like I'm getting hammered'
Pelicans to defer Lakers' first-rounder to 2025
Former top-10 WR pick speaks on retirement regret, comeback try
Pistons make major front-office firing
Orioles lose two starting pitchers to season-ending surgeries
Cavaliers to interview Knicks, Heat assistants for HC opening
Cowboys RB trying out new position during OTAs
Lions sign second-round cornerback
Why Timberwolves players skipped TNT interview after Game 4
Yankees' Aaron Judge, Juan Soto make MLB history with impressive offensive numbers
Guardians designate once-vaunted outfielder for assignment
Inside source shares telling comment about Juan Soto's feelings on Mets
Bills give Olympic gold medalist chance in NFL
New kickoff rule has Chiefs considering radical, outside-the-box strategy
One rookie quarterback is showing 'elite downfield accuracy' during OTAs
Luka Doncic discusses what T-Wolves fan said to fire him up in Game 5 win

Want more Broncos news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.