Broncos Mailbag: Will Javonte Williams keep starting role when Melvin Gordon returns?

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.

Why do the Broncos continue to retain special teams coordinator Tom McMahon? He has a multi-year terrible track record.
— Matt Hicks, Denver

McMahon has been a figurative punching bag since he was hired by the Broncos before the 2018 season and, well, the unit has provided plenty of reasons for criticism.

Just think about Sunday night: Diontae Spencer caught a punt at his 5-yard line, a major no-no. Spencer then burned six seconds at the end of the first half running laterally when the Broncos had field position (near midfield) and one timeout. And there was a special teams turnover when Caden Sterns crashed into Spencer, who muffed the punt that led to three Kansas City points.

A suggestion for Vic Fangio: Sit Teddy Bridgewater down and let Drew Lock finish the year. If he performs well, the Broncos may be forced to give him some future consideration after all. If he fails miserably, the Broncos at 6-11 will be in a better spot to draft a quarterback than the 8-9 finish that Teddy will deliver.
— Dan Murphy, Kansas City, Mo.

Not happening, Dan, even after Bridgewater’s season-low 62.2 passer rating Sunday night against Kansas City.

If the coaching staff had any trust in Lock, they would have started him in the Thursday night game at Cleveland when Bridgewater was limited with a foot injury and kept him in the game against the Chargers after Bridgewater sustained a shin injury.

Would giving Lock a shot be good theatre? For sure, but it doesn’t appear Fangio is thinking about it.

So, Javonte Williams has to be the starting running back now, right? That was a strong performance from him Sunday night.
— Miles, Parker

Imagine the roar at Mile High on Sunday if Williams is introduced with the starting offense before the game against Detroit. It would give the stadium a jolt.

Even if Melvin Gordon is healthy, I would start Williams to see if he can help solve the Broncos’ opening-drive woes (10 points in 12 games), but also re-introduce Gordon to the rotation. I would also give Mike Boone some carries after he played well against the Chiefs.

Who’s the Broncos’ starting quarterback next year? I can’t see Teddy Bridgewater re-signing after this year. Drew Lock looks completely lost. Do we go with a first-rounder in the draft or trade for a proven quarterback? I like the kid from Pittsburgh (Kenny Pickett). What do you think?
— Mark, Arvada

I can say with relative confidence that it won’t be Bridgewater (he’s a free agent, anyway) and I can say with strong confidence it won’t be Lock.

Plan A would be pursuing a veteran quarterback via trade (Russell Wilson is my first choice). Plan B would be pairing a veteran quarterback with a first- or second-round draft pick. Plan C would be drafting a first-round quarterback and riding with him. I will be interested to see Pickett at the Senior Bowl in early February.

I was reading about Jalen Hurts’ problems in Philly. Do you think the Broncos should try to get him?
— Bill, Denver

By all accounts, Hurts is in good standing with the Eagles so I don’t expect him to be available.

It seems that nearly all of The Denver Post sportswriters and fans think the Broncos are going to acquire Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson in the offseason. It seems like wishful thinking or a complete and total fantasy. Why do people really think this is going to happen? After watching Wilson against Washington last week, I’m not sold on him anymore, and Rodgers is a jerk. And I’m not thinking that the ownership mess is cleaned up by free agent season as so many others seem to think.
— John Toolen, Grand Junction

There is a difference between “thinking” they will acquire Wilson/Rodgers and “believing” they will. What’s wrong with having some hope that a player of their caliber will embrace a trade to the Broncos and jump-start a new era of football?

I don’t worry about Wilson’s play this year. I think he would be rejuvenated by joining a new team.

As for Rodgers, he may be different, but he’s still really, really good on Sundays.

Why does head coach Vic Fangio challenge plays that are not necessary? Especially when it is obvious for him to save that timeout for a good cause.
— Sam Jones, Fairfield, Calif.

I disagree with you Sam in this case. Fangio’s challenge in Sunday night’s first half on a play involving Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller was a toss-up. As NBC exhibited well, at real speed, it looked like a Fuller pass break-up. Slowed down, it looked like Kelce made a “football move” and fumbled.

As Fangio correctly pointed out on Monday, on a play that close, the replay folks will generally stay with the on-field call, which was incomplete.

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