Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is looking to make the most of his opportunities this Sunday in the team’s home finale as they wrap up the 2022 NFL season. How did the third-year tight end feel after getting back into the mix within the offense?
Albert Okwuegbunam looking to make the most of his second chance with the Denver Broncos
Trailing 17-16 in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 1 opener, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson orchestrated a drive downfield that could have given them a chance to win the game. Facing a 3rd and 5, Wilson connected with Albert Okwuegbunam on a short dump off, wrapped up by two defenders, the Broncos’ third-year tight end fought for extra yards to pick up the first down.
Wilson connected him on the next play once again for a gain of six yards. Everybody knows the end result of the 64-yard field goal attempt and debacle, but it was promising that Denver’s athletic tight end was making plays early on. Okwuegbunam finished the game with five catches for 33 yards with many looking forward to seeing what else he would do in the 2022 season.
In Week 2, the Broncos’ third-year tight end only saw two total targets and had zero catches. After that, Okwuegbunam was suddenly phased out of the offensive game plan by former head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Denver’s offensive approach involved using Andrew Beck as a hybrid fullback and tight end, Eric Tomlinson as an extra man in protection and run support, and Eric Saubert as a multi-versatile blocker and receiving threat. Once rookie tight end Greg Dulcich was healthy in Week 6, he became the receiving threat option at the position.
Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten noted that roster numbering regarding special teams personnel and the roles the aforementioned players above played factored into why Okwuegbunam wasn’t playing.
“It really comes down to the special teams unit and the numbering system,” Outten outlined. “Also, you look at the body types. You’ve got [Andew] Beck who is the fullback type body, you’ve got [Eric] Tomlinson who is the Y-body, and then you typically have that dual-threat type body. When it comes down to it, when [Greg] Dulcich was healthy, he was a better performance on the field itself and in the meetings so that’s why he ended up getting the job.”
However, the Broncos placed flashy rookie tight end Greg Dulcich on injured reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury against the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day, leading to Okwuegbunam getting a second chance to showcase what he can offer on offense.
On Wednesday, Okwuegubnam told Mile High Sports that it felt great getting back into the swing of things.
“I was amped up in the first half because it had been a while since I had been able to go out there and have a chance to make some plays,” Okwuegbunam said. “After that first catch, I felt like I was back and it was easy to be locked in.”
His first catch was a touchdown grab over the middle of the field that gave Denver a 17-13 lead over Kansas City. As the Broncos prepare to conclude their season on Sunday, Okwuegbunam will receive even more opportunities against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Albert [Okwuegbunam] did a really good job of stretching the field for us,” Outten said on Thursday. “He had the big touchdown for us. He’s a bigger type receiver with a very similar body type and position as [Greg] Dulcich. He’s a guy that you can put out there in a position where he’s a receiver and they have to account for him, and if they don’t just like they did in the red zone, he can create explosive plays and touchdowns. I’m excited to see his role expand this week and work along with the other tight ends and he fit in pretty well last game.”
Okwuegbunam is still under contract for the Broncos in 2023. Sunday’s game is another opportunity for him to compile as much film together as possible as the franchise looks to hire its next head coach to see if he can remain involved in the future plans of the organization.