Broncos fans are hoping Sean Payton’s optimism will prove true

The Denver Broncos had a very tough season, going just 5-12 and missing the playoffs despite acquiring future Hall of Famer quarterback Russell Wilson.

But there’s at least a little optimism for them as they just hired new head coach Sean Payton and Payton says he’s looking forward to coaching Wilson.

Is Russell Wilson back now that Sean Payton is in town? pic.twitter.com/T8Yl3dRFgB

— PFF (@PFF) February 2, 2023

In 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson was considered one of the game’s best signalers, and he led them to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and a world championship during the 2013 season while earning nine Pro Bowl picks.

But Wilson’s 2022 version didn’t even remotely resemble his Seattle version.

He completed just 60.5 percent of his passes, threw just 16 touchdown passes, and had an 84.4 passing rating, all career lows.

Just two seasons ago, Wilson had a 68.8 percent completion rate while throwing for 4,212 yards and 40 touchdowns and leading the Seahawks to a 12-4 record.

If he even comes close to that kind of production in 2023, the Broncos should have at least a puncher chance of making the AFC Championship Game.

They haven’t made the playoffs since 2015, the year Peyton Manning guided them to a Super Bowl win in his last game ever.

Peyton was the longtime coach of the New Orleans Saints, and along with Drew Brees, another quarterback headed to Canton, Ohio, he guided them to a Super Bowl XLIV win over Manning’s Indianapolis Colts.

The Saints have often had one of the NFL’s top-rated offenses, and that’s an improvement Denver would like to see given it’s saddled with one of the league’s worst offenses that anyone can remember.