Losing to the team whose offensive coordinator you humiliated ahead of the 2023 season? Yeah, that's got to hurt.
The Denver Broncos have been hurting all throughout September and October, limping to a 1-4 start in the AFC West. The "Sean Payton will save us" narrative is dead. The "Russell Wilson can improve" narrative is also dead.
While those two probably won't part ways with the Broncos just yet, there are a host of other Denver players and members who may be walking out the door this year. (Not Pat Surtain, though. He's Colorado royalty).
Here are five Broncos who won't survive the rest of the season, whether by trade or release.
5. Jerry Jeudy
For what feels like the millionth time, Jerry Jeudy trade rumors are trendy again. In 2023, the Broncos wideout has struggled to carve out a consistent role for himself in an offense that's hot-and-cold to start with.
Heading into Week 5, Russell Wilson targeted Jeudy 17 times; Jeudy has 11 catches for 158 yards and no touchdowns.
Is it finally time for the Broncos to move on from Jeudy? The former first-round pick found himself at the center of trade speculation last season, but he never got moved. The Broncos were reportedly looking for a first-round pick in return for Jeudy, which no team was willing to give up. At this stage, Jeudy could be worth a high second-rounder and would serve as valuable depth to a range of wide receiver-needy teams.
If the Broncos finds themselves in a deeper hole heading into October 31, the NFL trade deadline, they should do their due diligence by at least seeing what a team would offer for Jeudy.
4. Vance Joseph
It's only been five games into Vance Joseph's defensive coordinator stint in Denver, but there's already enough reason to oust him.
Joseph's defense ranks dead last in the NFL in points and yards per game. His red zone defense ranks second to last, and he was the architect of the defense that allowed the Miami Dolphins to score 70 points.
Except for their season-opener against the Raiders, the Broncos have conceded 28 points or more, including that ugly first half against the Bears when they gave up 21 second-quarter points.
If Nickelodeon was making fun of Russell Wlison's cooking skills last year, the Broncos' orange slush of a defense is arguably its weakest link this year. And they have Russ under center, so that's saying something.
Joseph has an experienced resume of DC jobs dating from a 2016 stint in Miami to his most recent stint in Arizona. He may have enjoyed moderate success with past teams, yet it doesn't look like he can adapt to different schemes and help Denver's defense improve week after week. Sean Payton's decorated history back from his time in NOLA may buy him another year or two in Denver. Joseph has no such affordances.
3. Frank Clark
The rest of the players on this list will be defenders following rumors early this season that the Broncos are willing to trade almost any defensive player. We're assuming the only player off-limits is Pat Surtain.
Defensive end Frank Clark touts to be an intriguing trade chip if the Broncos go into selling mode this month. Despite loitering on the market as a free agent last summer, Clark remains a productive pass-rusher coming off of a five-sack campaign with the Chiefs in 2022. The three-time Pro Bowler could force his way out of Denver much like Randy Gregory did last week.
In terms of a trade, Clark wouldn't command much. But if the Broncos are really breaking everything down and rebuilding, the veteran Clark could be the first to go.
2. Alex Singleton
Linebacker Alex Singleton has flown under the radar as a less expensive trade chip, but he's played his way into the possibility of a mutually beneficial trade. The Broncos could get a late-round pick in return for him, and Singleton could look to join a team with playoff aspirations.
Denver signed Singleton this past summer on a cheap one-year deal. The ex-Eagles defender has made a name for himself as a solid all-around tackler; he led Philly in tackles in 2020 and 2021 and also became a special teams stud.
On the Broncos this year, he hasn't generated as many big plays but still has managed to be a strong presence in the middle of the field, keeping the unit tight and organized.
Given that the Broncos didn't spend very much on Singleton, they could still deal him for some value on the market before the season's end.
1. Justin Simmons
Arguably the most talented defensive player on this list, star safety Justin Simmons would get the Broncos quite the haul.
Denver is the only home Simmons has ever known, and since he was drafted in 2016, he's been the picture of consistency and excellence. He's played 16 or more games in four of the last five seasons and has 27 career interceptions, six of which came in 2022.
Should the Broncos seriously consider a rebuild, Simmons would be the name at the top of the list who could fetch Denver the most capital, perhaps similar to what Jerry Jeudy could command.
Seeing Simmons part ways with Denver will hurt for the Broncos fanbase. His time in orange may nonetheless be coming to a close, and for a loyal and hardworking contributor like him, he deserves better.