LOOK: Broncos HC Sean Payton Attends Nuggets Game With Two Key Players
On Tuesday night, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Russell Wilson, and wide receiver Tim Patrick could be seen together courtside for Game 5 of the Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns playoff series.
Easy photo opportunities are one thing, but when you consider that all three Broncos will have a big role to play moving forward, spending time together away from football could be telling.
Had Wilson been able to count on Patrick's sticky hands and physical knack for getting open, things may have been a whole lot easier for him last season. As things stand, Patrick's recovery from an ACL tear last summer is thankfully well on track, so some bonding with his quarterback and new head coach is a positive sign for Broncos Country.
Broncos fans might view Patrick as the missing ingredient required to make Wilson and the entire offense start ticking again. Jason McCourty of the NFL Network is a believer in Patrick's dynamic skill set, so much so that he's pegged the Denver pass catcher as being one of the NFL’s 32 players fans should root for this coming season.
After back-to-back seasons with at least 50 receptions and 700 receiving yards, Patrick was poised for a breakout 2022 campaign before he tore his ACL in training camp. In early April, Patrick was "cleared to do everything," giving him plenty of time to get in some offseason work in Sean Payton's offense.
McCourty is correct; Patrick is definitely the type of player who is easy to root for, largely on account of being a well-respected leader and underdog who sets an inspirational tone with his hard work.
Those in Broncos Country who are old enough to remember the halcyon days of Rod Smith working in tandem with Ed McCaffrey will certainly recall what a more blue-collar approach can do for the overall chemistry and identity of a team. Ultimately, it's no surprise that Patrick would feel comfortable spending time with Wilson and Payton because both men put in a similarly hard grind like him.
Getting on the same page is largely going to be done in-house under Payton’s more rigid command, so gone are the majority of outside distractions — like private throwing coaches with unfettered access to Broncos HQ. Setting a new tone of accountability is no longer just a soundbite in Denver, as it was under the loosey-goosey leadership of Nathaniel Hackett.
In the final analysis, when Patrick starts moving the chains on a consistent basis this coming season, continuing to root for the Broncos' over-achieving wide receiver will be easy.
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