The Denver Broncos and free-agent wide receivers have been linked together for the past two weeks. Sean Payton brought in a familiar face as he looks to revamp the Denver offense.
Denver Broncos add Marquez Callaway
The Denver Broncos wide receiver room contains Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler, Kendall Hinton, Jalen Virgil and others. After Hamler suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle during training, Denver is adding another name to the position room.
Marquez Callaway is an option at the receiver position that has plenty of familiarity with Sean Payton who is entering his first season as the team’s head coach. Callaway played for Payton in New Orleans in 2020 and 2021 and played under Dennis Allen last season.
Callaway’s addition to the position room that will be coached by Keary Colbert is a positive one.
During his rookie season in 2020, Callaway appeared in 11 games and started in three of them for Payton — hauling in 21 of 27 targets for 213 yards. 10 of his 21 receptions moved the chains for a first down.
In his last season with Payton as his play-caller and coach, Callaway appeared in 17 games and started 11 of them in 2021. He saw an increase in targets (84) and catches (46) while amassing 698 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Of his 46 receptions, 32 of them moved the chains for a first down.
How does this impact the Broncos? Only positively. He is an outlet option inside of Payton’s offensive scheme that will present him with the opportunity to be a consistent chain mover and potential red zone option.
The 6’2 205-pound receiver possesses the ability to make big-time catches, emerging as a downfield threat. It’s worth noting that last season the Saints offense took a massive step backward without Payton calling the plays and orchestrating the offensive gameplan — impacting the overall production of receivers like Callaway.
With Patrick coming off of an ACL injury, the addition of Callaway adds insurance to the position. Hamler is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but Denver’s newest addition is a strong indicator that there will be competition at wide receiver presumably featuring Callaway, Hamler, Hinton, Virgil, and others at the position.
After numerous trade rumors tied to Sutton and Jeudy, it appears the Denver Broncos won’t make a move considering Patrick’s return from injury, Hamler’s recent injury, and the importance of Russell Wilson having his best weapons to throw to.