Nearly three months after acquiring Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the retooling Seattle Seahawks, the Denver Broncos officially began their OTA program on Monday. And moments after the superstar quarterback completed drills at the facility, he explained to reporters that the competitive practice had a "championship-type week" atmosphere. For fans, that's music to their ears.
The Broncos were in desperate need of a franchise signal-caller. Last season, their offense ranked 23rd in the NFL in average points, 19th in yards, and 19th in passing yards. The unit also hasn't averaged more than 23 points per game since 2014, when Peyton Manning was under center. By acquiring Wilson this offseason, Denver has emerged as a legitimate AFC playoff contender. But is the preseason hype excessive? And does Wilson need to pump the brakes?
"I thought people like us, and on the outside, were just going to put so many unfair expectations on the Broncos. But the media and fans didn't have to do a damn thing," Maggie Gray said during Maggie and Perloff on Tuesday. "Russ and the Broncos are talking so confidently, and I just can't get there, right out the gate... I don't see this as this crazy, more-sure thing. And there's so many questions with this Broncos team. And to be talking Super Bowl in year one?"
"It's Russell Wilson speak, which is always incredibly positive and optimistic. But I think it's intentional, to try to get that team to adapt to a championship mentality," Andrew Perloff said. "I understand what you're saying. When you look at the AFC West, it's loaded. But, don't you think it's a Super Bowl goal there? And I feel like anything short of a championship game is going to be disappointing for Wilson. I feel like he's Brady -- it's championship or bust."
Wilson spent 10 seasons with the Seahawks, and during his tenure, the team made the NFC playoffs eight times, reached two conference championships, and won a Super Bowl. Despite the success, his last campaign in Seattle was a disappointment. Wilson played a career-low 14 games, due to a finger injury suffered in early October, and struggled to find a rhythm upon returning. But, he managed to finish with 3,113 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only six picks.
Naturally, the Broncos will begin their 2022 campaign in Wilson's old stadium, opposing the Seahawks in a marquee Monday night matchup at Lumen Field. Denver has the second-best odds to win its first AFC West crown since 2015, according to the William Hill Sportsbook, and the seventh-best odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl 57 in Arizona. The last time the franchise clinched a playoff berth, Manning helped lead them to a Super Bowl 50 win.
Maggie and Perloff's complete thoughts on the Broncos' postseason hopes can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Maggie and Perloff Show on Twitter @MaggieandPerl and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.