Broncos fans send message to ownership as attendance plummets

Keeler writes, "it's the third game of at least 12,000 no-shows since December 2018." 

The Broncos' new ownership, the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, might argue the poor showing ties to quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson sitting out due to injury. Recent trends demonstrate that it's a chilly attitude toward the organization instead. 

In 2021, a 7-10 Broncos team averaged around 86,000 fans per home game, the league's second-most. In seven home games this year, that number dropped to approximately 76,000, according to Pro Football Reference. 

Excluding the 2020 NFL season, which saw attendance plummet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's the Broncos' worst home attendance rate since 2010, when they went 4-12. 

The 4-12 record in 2010 was the worst in modern franchise history. If the Broncos lose their next three games, they will surpass it. 

Accomplishing this milestone would be a new low point. A low point Denver's continued to drive toward since winning Super Bowl 50. 

The Broncos have missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, the league's second-longest active drought, and haven't had a winning season since 2016. 

The constant ineptitude led to Denver fans' message to the entire organization: fix it.