The Denver Broncos are at the cusp of an exciting new chapter. New head coach Sean Payton has instilled a culture of high expectations, meaning discussions of a Super Bowl run should be met with ease. Payton is looking ahead though. He’s taken a strategic approach to roster building that has placed a premium on character and compatibility in his player acquisitions. This season he has the difficult task of forming a young, but competitive squad that can contend for the title down the stretch.
Payton, who once drafted left tackle Jermon Bushrod in the same 2007 draft that produced starter Marques Colston, is no stranger to constructing successful rosters. He’s focused on building a core of players who represent his ideal for the team. He centers on two major tenets—developing from the inside out and finding “his guys” to spearhead efforts. By focusing his efforts this way, he hopes to stack the deck for success.
This philosophy has guided Payton on making huge financial investments in order to strengthen the offensive line. Four of the Broncos’ starting offensive linemen are now among the highest-paid players at their respective positions, highlighting Payton’s commitment to investing in the team’s core. And perhaps most importantly, he acknowledges the fact that success should be really hard. It’s hard to create the appropriate team and course of action when the team isn’t what it should be.
Payton’s philosophy extends beyond mere numbers. But morally he feels that player development must be considered in every decision made all the way up the organizational chart. One of his key points is that we need to design an ecosystem where young things can flourish. This is particularly important for young quarterback Bo Nix, whom he drafted second overall in his first draft with the team.
“Compatibility has been very important across the shop,” said Payton. He’s determined to get players who are talented, but fit with the team’s culture. His joint creation with Broncos czars Rich Penner and George Paton has been made possible by this duality. One AFC general manager pointed out that Payton has a much better and handpicked collaborative environment in Denver. This added flexibility gives him the opportunity to build a squad that suits his vision.
Payton is certainly dedicated to establishing a winning culture. To his credit, he is willing to do an about face on previous practices, such as adding broadly voidable years to contracts. This change is indicative of a bigger effort to bring stability and accountability on the team.
Not so fast, says Rich Penner, who has his doubts about prima donnas growing fat in this climate. He further reiterated Payton’s sentiment that if you have an outstanding culture, you’ll win. Payton stresses the importance of character and mentality for player acquisition. He thinks they are just as important as talent is. He added to the mix with extended contracts for his big four, including Courtland Sutton last year, and looks to extend Nik Bonitto next.
The emphasis on young people has been a shift from Payton’s approach during his last stint in New Orleans. He’s recruiting and hiring new blood who represent what he thinks the winning formula looks like. Consolidator Payton wanted to make sure he had the right team in place. That collective just infuses the entire building,” he said, emphasizing the importance of roster composition.
Even as training camp began, players such as Brandon Jones and J.K. Dobbins have already heard something transformative from inside the organization. Dobbins emphasized the unique environment created by the Broncos’ leadership: “Top to bottom here, they’re making something with resources to go win.”
Payton’s approach in meetings to discuss player extensions was refreshing. Whatever the technique, his personable style encourages a supportive environment where collaboration thrives. This synergy is paramount for luring free agents and forging a coaching assembly that operates along with the team’s vision.
Payton was clear that the Super Bowl cannot become a soft subject. So, naturally, he expects his players to produce nothing short of excellence. His confidence in their abilities is clear as he lays out some ambitious targets for the upcoming campaign.
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