Broncos' continued self-implosion is comedy gold for Chargers fans
By Jason Reed
Despite making the playoffs last season, Chargers fans continuously pounded the table for the team to trade for (and hire) future Hall of Fame head coach Sean Payton. That ultimately did not happen as Brandon Staley kept his job and Payton ended up taking a job with the Denver Broncos.
Many of the same Chargers fans were frustrated that Payton would be coaching an AFC West rival but it was predictable at the time that Payton wouldn't solve all of this team's issues. The Broncos were extremely messy last season and Payton alone was not going to clean it all up in one year.
But even then, the Broncos have been much messier than expected. Denver became the first team in decades to allow 70 points, isn't much better record-wise than last season, and has seemingly already given up on the 2023 season.
Denver's latest decision with Frank Clark outlines just how bad the team has gotten this season. The former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher literally took a pay cut to get out of Denver, whether it be via trade or if he is released.
Keep an eye on this one: The #Broncos and DE Frank Clark agreed to a pay cut that takes his $3.5 million base salary down to the minimum the rest of the way $841k), sources say. Clark gave back $1.679 million in base pay as part of the restructure. pic.twitter.com/fTpOuoeV0l
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 12, 2023
Broncos' continued self-implosion is comedy gold for Chargers fans
Things definitely aren't going perfectly for the LA Chargers this season but they are not going as badly as things are in Denver. It is a good reminder for Chargers fans that things can always be worse. Over the last two years, the Broncos have been a firm reminder of that.
It will be interesting to see what moves the Broncos continue to make as the season goes along. Clark is not the first pass rusher that will be let go this season, as the team traded 2022 signing Dexter Lawrence for next to nothing. As the losses pile up, the Broncos are going to continue to make moves.
The Chargers could certainly benefit from this on two fronts. First of all, the Chargers play the Broncos twice late in the season and by then, Payton may have his eyes firmly set on Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Before then, the Chargers could maybe benefit by adding talent that is on Denver's roster. Inter-division trades are not the most common but Denver does have players on the roster that would make sense for LA. Clark may not be a fit but someone like Samaje Perine could be.
Regardless, it is always great as a fan to see a rival struggling and it is even better to see that rival giving up just five weeks into the 2023 season.