After one season of getting acclimated to being on a new roster, the Denver Broncos are hopeful that Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers can find more consistency this upcoming season.
Denver Broncos hopeful Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers have a strong second season
Sean Payton’s first season as the team’s head coach saw him swing big in NFL free agency by going out and signing Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey to bolster the offensive line.
Powers struggled during the preseason but found more consistency during the regular season. He played 100% of the team’s snaps last season and should have more comfortability in the system going into his second year with the team.
“They’re coming into a new place, but a new offense that’s trying to find some identity,” Payton said of both Powers and McGlinchey. “Sometimes you can land on a Super Bowl contender your first year. A lot of it is just where you end up, but certainly both of those guys have filled in and provided not only leadership but quality play for us. I think in Year 2, you’re going to continue to see that curve, not just for the two of them but the group as general go up.”
McGlinchey, the only player in 2023’s NFL free agency period to sign a five-year deal, had an up-and-down year. He appeared in and started 16 games last season and missed the team’s season-finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. One area McGlinchey struggled with was presnap penalties, where he had a career-high seven false starts.
The silver lining was that he wasn’t called for a single holding penalty. According to Pro Football Focus, he was accountable for six sacks allowed last year.
McGlinchey acknowledged at the end of the season that he didn’t play to the standard he expects of himself and that he will look to bounce back this upcoming season.
With a new quarterback expected to be under center this upcoming season, the team will have even bigger expectations for the veteran tackle.
“So a lot to that question,” Payton said. “There were a number of things that he brought in a positive way. There are certain strengths he has, just like all these players, there are things we want to work on in the offseason. It’s very important to him. He comes from a winning program. I think that going into Year 2, you’re going to see his continued development. There’s a toughness to him in how he plays, but I’m glad we have him.”
Whether it’s Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, or Zach Wilson, the Denver Broncos have optimism that the offensive line will be significantly better this upcoming season.
