Denver Broncos

Plenty of former NFL players surely believe they would put up even better numbers if they played in today's offensive-oriented game.

Not Terrell Davis.

"I like when I played. I don't envy playing in today's game," the former Denver Broncos running back told Bleacher Report. "It pays a lot nicer, but other than that, it would've been tough to get 2,000 yards in today's game."

That may be the case, but few players in NFL history were as effective as Davis in his prime.

The Hall of Famer was a two-time Super Bowl champion, the Super Bowl XXXII MVP, the 1998 league MVP, a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, a three-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro selection.

He ran for a league-best 2,008 yards and 21 touchdowns during that MVP season and helped lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons with 102 yards on the ground. It is still the sixth-most rushing yards in a season in NFL history and came the year after he was the Super Bowl MVP with 157 rushing yards and three touchdowns in an all-time performance against the Green Bay Packers.

From sixth-round pick to SB XXXII MVP. 🏆

No one did it like @Terrell_Davis. pic.twitter.com/gD2oUSfcIl

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 20, 2022

Yet Davis acknowledged the style of play in the late '90s helped foster an environment where it was more feasible to put up those numbers.

"The reason I say that is because there's games that I played in that I'd have 11 carries for 30 yards," he said when discussing why he might not necessarily perform at that level in today's game. "Do you think there's an offensive coordinator in today's game that looks at that and says, 'Let's keep running the football.' No, they'll say, 'You had your 11 carries, TD. We're going to go somewhere else.'

"That's the difference between today's game and when I played. We had coaches who were patient. We knew that 30 carries was going to be what we needed in this game. We may not have success early in this game, but that's OK because that's setting something up and allowing us to wear down a defense. If you're not patient as a coordinator and everything you do is throwing the football, I'm just not getting my opportunities."

Broncos fans may need to demonstrate that type of patience if they are ever going to see the current iteration of the franchise return to the level it was at when Davis was lifting the Lombardi Trophy.

While expectations were sky-high in the offseason after Denver traded for future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson to help address the quarterback concerns that were partially to blame for two straight last-place finishes in the AFC West, things have gone anything but as planned.

Even with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in the most recent game, the Broncos are still just 3-5 and looking up at Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Herbert's Los Angeles Chargers in the division standings.

The offense has largely been a mess and is yet to score more than 23 points in a game. Wilson has completed a career-worst 58.8 percent of his passes for six touchdowns to four interceptions, running back Javonte Williams was lost for the rest of the season to a knee injury, and a number of early prime-time games only amplified the struggles.

"What was happening in those first couple of games, I did not see a team that looked in sync," Davis said. "They looked completely out of sync. And it starts to snowball. There's no rhythm to their offense, initially. Now last week I saw signs of a lot more rhythm with Russ using his legs more often. I think that's key for this offense. Don't force the plays to happen, just take what the defense gives you."

Davis would like the Broncos to build on some of those signs they showed while marching 80 yards on seven plays—five of which were runs and one of which was a Wilson scramble—for a game-winning touchdown against the Jaguars.

Second trip to London. ✅

Second TD in London. ✅@LataviusM | 📺: ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/R5cR1cGfX5

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 30, 2022

"The key for them in the second half of the season is coming out and allowing Russ to do what he's done," he said. "Russ, if it's not there on 3rd-and-5, don't force it. Run. Let's get three more downs, that way we can start to wear down teams."

If that doesn't work, frustrated Broncos fans can at least tap into nostalgia as a way to relive some of the team's glory days.

With that nostalgia in mind, Davis partnered with Arcade1Up for the company's release of NFL Blitz Legends to celebrate NFL Blitz's 25th anniversary. The at-home arcade machine will let gamers experience the iconic '90s game through the NFL Blitz, NFL Blitz '99 and NFL Blitz 2000: Gold Edition titles and compete in online leaderboards.

It is also officially licensed by the NFL and includes legendary players such as Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders, Dan Marino and, yes, Davis himself.

"When I found out there was an opportunity to partner with NFL Blitz, it was a no-brainer," he said. "I grew up in the arcade era. We'd go down to the arcade and play those types of games. This was one of my favorite games, playing with my buddies. Because it's a different kind of football. It wasn't the traditional Madden version; it was more fun. It was more like basketball because of the tempo of the game."

He said he prefers to play as the Broncos so he can boost his own individual stats and is excited his children now have the chance to see their father as a player in a video game. He also has a go-to play call when he is controlling the Denver offense, and, no, it's not Da Bomb.

"Blizzard is the one I just started using a whole lot," Davis said. "I like that delay for Rod Smith. Someone told me that and gave me that cool play, so I'm using that one."

Giving a younger generation the chance to see Davis on the virtual field is also all the more notable because the Hall of Famer doesn't see anyone in the current game who necessarily reminds him of himself.

"I'm always looking for somebody who I think looks like me," he said. "I don't ever see a back like that. They're all different now; it's like a fingerprint. Derrick Henry's style is different than Alvin Kamara's or Christian McCaffrey's. I like Dalvin Cook, Saquon Barkley—when healthy—is fantastic.

"There are a lot of really good backs who I enjoy watching because they're all different. But I have yet, in my retirement, to see a back who I can say, 'That guy fits me spot on.'"

Those running backs aren't the only football the Broncos legend is watching in retirement.

He also enjoys watching his alma mater, Georgia, attempt to defend its national championship. Yet Davis, who played three seasons for the Bulldogs from 1992 through 1994, knows repeating won't be easy in the SEC with a looming showdown with No. 1 Tennessee and a potential conference title game against the sport's ultimate powerhouse, Alabama.

"Repeating is always tough," he said. "The odds aren't good for repeating because it's never the same team. I think we had 15 players drafted last year, so that's a lot to try to overcome. ... But the last couple of games we've looked really good. The test is this week, obviously. We've got to play Tennessee. It's going to be a tough game.

"But I feel like if we can get past Tennessee, then I think we set ourselves up to be in that game. We've still got the SEC Championship Game, probably playing Bama. There's just no gimmes, it's a hard road to repeat as champs. Then you throw in maybe a Michigan or Ohio State or maybe a Clemson, you just don't know."

#Broncos legend, Terrell Davis, is 1 of 3 #DawgsInTheNFL to be named #SuperBowl MVP (also: Jake Scott & Hines Ward) pic.twitter.com/HdAadye3Em

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) February 7, 2016

Don't mistake recognizing the path is difficult for a lack of belief, though. Georgia has quarterback Stetson Bennett back leading an offense with tight end Brock Bowers headlining the weapons, and the team already destroyed now-No. 8 Oregon 49-3 in the season opener.

"Of course behind the scenes I'm pretty confident," he added.

That confidence is a good sign for Bulldogs fans because few people know what it takes to win back-to-back championships better than Davis.

The Miami Dolphins were one of the major players at the 2022 NFL trade deadline, swinging a splashy deal to acquire Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos. With the pickup, the Phins have loudly announced their intent to contend both this season and for the foreseeable future.

Chubb provides Miami with the high-end edge-rusher the club has sorely lacked. He had been one of the few bright spots for the disappointing Denver Broncos this year, notching 26 tackles—four for loss—16 pressures, eight QB hits, seven hurries, 5.5 sacks and three knockdowns across 409 defensive snaps.

The 26-year-old is having a resurgent campaign after missing more than half of the 2021 season with injury. While Chubb failed to record a single sack in the seven games he was healthy for last year and earned an abysmal 45.0 PFF grade, the site is giving him a much more respectable 74.9 grade for his efforts in 2022.

Chubb will reinforce a Miami defense that has recorded a mere 15 sacks across eight games. The Dolphins are the only squad among the 12 above.-500 teams with 15 or fewer sacks, showing how important getting after the quarterback is to success in the modern NFL.

Jaelan Phillips has tallied the most sacks for the Phins this year, but his three are tied for the 49th-most in the league. Chubb is tied for No. 13 in that category, while no other Miami player is in the top 80.

Miami’s poor edge-rushing capabilities are a major reason the team has struggled against the pass this year. The Dolphins have given up 262.1 yards per game through the air, with only six clubs conceding more aerial yardage on average.

Since Miami isn’t scoring—the team averages a middling 22.3 points per game—at the same rate as the Baltimore Ravens (26.0 PPG), Buffalo Bills (29.0) or Kansas City Chiefs (31.9 PPG), the squad had to improve its ability to keep its opponent off the board. Having Chubb bearing down on opposing signal-callers should go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.

Assuming this move pushes the 5-3 Dolphins over the top and eventually into the postseason after they came tantalizing close for two straight years, Chubb will be the ideal weapon to deploy against the slew of elite quarterbacks blocking Miami's path to a Super Bowl.

Kansas City has made it to at least the conference championship game in each of the last four years, and it could very well get there again in 2022. The Chiefs are off to a hot 5-2 start despite trading Tyreek Hill to these Dolphins and appear poised for another deep run. Patrick Mahomes has found a way to thrive without his top playmaker and is leading the league in touchdown throws.

The few opponents who have found success against Kansas City’s offense have generally brought waves of pressure against its quarterback. The most notable example was in Super Bowl LV when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pressured Mahomes on 37.5 percent of his dropbacks, hurried him 11 times, hit him seven times and sacked him thrice on the way to a 31-9 blowout victory.

The Phins might also meet up with a familiar foe in the Bills (6-1) come playoff time. Josh Allen’s evolution into a leading NFL MVP candidate has turned Miami’s AFC East rival into one of the most explosive offenses around.

Miami proved it can beat Buffalo this year, however, having accomplished the impressive feat in Week 3 with a 21-19 victory. Allen threw for 400 yards and two scores but needed a whopping 63 passing attempts to reach that mark and was sacked four times.

Considering Allen is 6-0 when he’s been sacked two times or fewer this year and he’s averaged three sacks taken in his three career playoff losses, it’s readily apparent that putting him on his back is one of the bigger keys to toppling the Bills.

Sending an athletic 6’4”, 275-pound pass-rusher who ran a 4.65 40-yard dash—putting him in the 90th percentile for his size—after the likes of Mahomes and Allen may not always result in lots of sacks, but his presence will allow the team to generate pressures without having to blitz, something it largely has been unable to accomplish in 2022.

The dynamic pairing of Chubb and Phillips will open things up schematically for defensive coordinator Josh Boyer. The Dolphins have been relying heavily on the blitz—using it on 28.4 percent of defensive plays—to try to get some pressure in passing situations. Their rushers haven't been getting the job done, evidenced by a concerning No. 29 ranking in pressure rate. With Chubb on the field, the team can finally afford to drop more players into coverage.

If Chubb is as good of a fit as he seems on paper, it would be a no-brainer move for the Dolphins to extend his contract this offseason. The fifth-year veteran is playing out the final year of his rookie deal.

While he’ll likely command a large contract—Spotrac estimates Chubb’s value at slightly north of $13 million per season—the pass-rusher will be worth every penny if he can elevate Miami to a serious level of title contention.

And the Phins should want to extend him after effectively going all-in to acquire him. The MMQB’s Albert Breer noted that the team had already traded away two of the three first-rounders it received from the San Francisco 49ers last year—effectively getting Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill in exchange for them—and just utilized the final one to bring in Chubb.

With only a handful of selections in the 2023 draft, none of which are in the first round, it’s clear that the Dolphins' rebuild is officially over. If Chubb ends up being the missing defensive piece this organization has been waiting for, the rest of the league should be on notice for as long as the star pass-rusher remains in Miami.

The Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans could be late entrants in the Bradley Chubb sweepstakes, according to Benjamin Allbright of the KOA radio station in Denver.

NBC Sports' Peter King reported Monday the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins had shown interest in the Denver Broncos pass-rusher as well and might be willing to send a first-round pick to the Broncos.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Saturday the Rams tabled a "substantial offer" for Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns.

The reigning Super Bowl champions have gotten off to a disappointing 3-4 start, and pressuring the quarterback is one area in which they're falling short. Los Angeles is 16th in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders, with Von Miller's departure leaving a clear void in the front seven.

The Titans have been even worse, sitting 20th in adjusted sack rate, yet it's fair to wonder whether trading for Chubb is worth it given the cost.

Tennessee is first in the AFC South at 5-2. It has an elite interior defender in Jeffery Simmons, and Denico Autry has accounted for five sacks off the edge. Sure, Chubb would help, but a first-rounder would be a steep price when there are other areas of the field where that pick could better used.

For any team that might acquire Chubb, there's also the general risk that comes with extending a player who suffered a torn ACL in 2019 and was limited to seven games in 2021 because of ankle injury.

The 26-year-old is performing well (26 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four tackles for loss) in 2022, but there still should be some hesitation about paying him like an upper-tier pass-rusher. Shaquil Barrett, Chandler Jones and Arik Armstead are tied as the 10th-highest-paid edge-defenders at a pricey $17 million a year.

The Rams' operating philosophy is clear when it comes to draft picks, but adding Chubb means making an already top-heavy roster even more reliant on veterans. The Titans, meanwhile, would benefit more from targeting a wide receiver or offensive lineman if they're going to get aggressive at the deadline.

Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline may come and go without the 3-5 Denver Broncos making a move, but teams have been asking if they are willing to sell. Specifically, teams have inquired about standout pass-rusher Bradley Chubb.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Denver even has a first-round offer on the table.

"The Broncos have heard from multiple teams interested in trading for star outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, sources told ESPN," he wrote. "One team even has been willing to trade its first-round draft pick, along with other compensation, in exchange for Chubb, according to sources."

This season, Chubb has logged 26 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 16 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Reference. He's a valuable member of the defense when healthy and only 26 years old. A large contingent of the Broncos fanbase would probably prefer to keep the NC State product in the fold.

Certain members of the Broncos organization may prefer to keep Chubb as well, particularly rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

Denver expected to be a contender this season after trading for quarterback Russell Wilson in the offseason. It has stumbled to a losing record, however, and Hackett may be on the hot seat.

"We're not where we need to be," new Broncos CEO Greg Penner said, per Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post.

Both Denver and Hackett may approach the deadline with a win-now mentality.

Then, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk pointed out, the Broncos must also weigh the prospect of trading Chubb now versus tagging and trading him in the offseason:

"Another source shed some light on the manner in which the Broncos are assessing the situation. With Chubb in the option year of his rookie deal, the Broncos could always tag and trade Chubb in the offseason. Thus, to trade him now, they'd need to believe they're getting more on November 1 than they’d get early next year."

Under no circumstances, though, should Chubb be off-limits ahead of the deadline and for multiple reasons. Firstly, he will be a free agent in the spring, and there's no guarantee Denver can keep him without using the franchise tag.

According to Spotrac, Denver is projected to have $23 million in cap space next year. Based on this year's franchise-tag numbers, tagging Chubb would chew up $18.7 million of that. The Broncos would be instantly limited in free agency and perhaps in a position where they have to trade their star man to address other needs.

That scenario would not raise Chubb's trade value because teams may view the Broncos as desperate to make a deal.

Another factor to consider is Chubb's injury history. He landed on injured reserve in 2019 with a torn ACL and then again last year following ankle surgery. He missed a total of 23 games over his first four seasons in the NFL.

There's no guarantee that the 2020 Pro Bowler will stay healthy for the rest of the season, and if he does suffer another significant injury, his trade value will tank.

And maximizing Chubb's trade value could be vital for the Broncos. They are without first- and second-round picks in 2023 because of the Wilson trade. According to Schefter, Denver isn't willing to trade a receiver like K.J. Hamler or Jerry Jeudy, leaving Chubb as their biggest in-season trade chip.

If the Broncos truly do have an offer of a first-round pick and more in their hands, they should take it.

According to Florio, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams have been linked to the Broncos in the trade-rumor mill. These are teams looking to make a win-now move and perhaps willing to overpay to land a pass-rusher for the playoff push.

Teams may not be as eager to acquire a good-not-great pass-rusher with a notable injury history in the offseason and after they've begun to heavily evaluate the 2023 draft class.

Lastly, there's no guarantee that keeping Chubb would get Denver into the postseason or save Hackett's job. He's one of the team's better defenders, but most of its deficiencies have been on offense.

The Broncos rank second in yards and points allowed. They rank just 23rd in total offense and 31st in scoring.

The reality is that Chubb's value is probably as high as it's going to be right now. Denver may turn things around this season, and with little high-end draft capital left to address an obviously flawed roster, it has to at least consider taking advantage of this trade opportunity.

The Denver Broncos are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in trade talks for linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Peter King of NBC Sports reported the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are among the teams interested and could wind up being willing to part with a first before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Chubb is in the final year of his rookie contract and could become an unrestricted free agent at season's end if he doesn't sign an extension, and that'll be a factor in trade talks.

King noted the only way a team is likely to meet the Broncos' first-round asking price would be if they also have a "deal done with Chubb beyond this year."

The 26-year-old NC State product has been hampered by injuries during his five-year run with Denver since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft. He missed 24 games over the past three years, including 10 last year with an ankle injury.

That said, he's been an effective pass-rusher when healthy, tallying 26 sacks across 49 career regular-season appearances. He's recorded 5.5 sacks in eight games so far in 2022.

Chubb said Friday it was "cool to be in a position where the interest comes in" but explained his focus remained on helping the Broncos.

"I'm not even thinking about that, bro," Chubb told reporters. "I'm just focused on these guys right here, orange, white and blue. Be the best leader, got the 'C' on my chest for a reason. Captains don't let stuff get to them. They don't sweat under pressure."

While both the Jets and Dolphins, who are AFC East rivals, could use an edge-rushing upgrade, it's probably a bigger need for Miami.

The Dolphins have recorded a modest 15 sacks in eight games so far this season, including just one takedown of the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff on Sunday. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips leads the team with three sacks.

Miami has looked like an emerging contender when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy, but making it out of a conference with top-tier QBs like the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes will require the ability to create pressure.

General manager Chris Grier, who's already shown his willingness to make a splash with a high-profile deal for wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the offseason, has until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to decide whether to bolster his defense with Chubb or another edge-rusher.

The Denver Broncos will leave London as victors but not without detractors.

Lavavius Murray scored a touchdown from two yards out with 1:43 remaining to give the Broncos a 21-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, yet the focus remains intently on the struggles of quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Nathaniel Hackett.

In a rare display of public displeasure at a neutral-site game, the Broncos offense was loudly booed by the London crowd in the first half for punting on a 4th-and-1 while being roundly mocked on social media.

Nathaniel Hackett’s game plan every single week pic.twitter.com/dbwC9bYVWz

— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) October 30, 2022

NOTHING IF THAT JABRONI RUSSELL WILSON COOKING IT https://t.co/WGe0ae3YA8

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) October 30, 2022

maybe the "Broncos Country" referenced by Russell Wilson is, in fact, the United Kingdom

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 30, 2022

The rest of the AFC West is smiling because Nathaniel Hackett saved his job for at least another week.

— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) October 30, 2022

Broncos coach Nathanial Hackett was hit by cars six times in London this week. His game plan said look to the left and he refused to make adjustments.

— Clue Heywood (@ClueHeywood) October 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/dirtbagqueer/status/1586717697873674240

Russell Wilson spent 4 hours doing high knees and stretches on the plane to London just to throw interceptions

— Football (@BostonConnr) October 30, 2022

To be fair, we all must note the Broncos won this game and did so in thrilling come-from-behind fashion. Denver's offense appeared to find a more consistent rhythm as the second half went along, and Wilson drilled KJ Hamler for a 47-yard gain on the Broncos' game-winning drive.

RUSS WITH A DIME TO HAMLER 🎯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/89juiCWP2Y

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 30, 2022

Good for Russ, man. Some rough moments but made a couple vintage plays on the game winning drive.

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 30, 2022

Even in victory, it's clear this team is a seismic disappointment. Considered a Super Bowl contender coming into the preseason, Denver's greatest cause for celebration of late was a four-point win over a 2-6 Jaguars team. That's not exactly what Hackett and Wilson had in mind when they came together.

A Week 9 bye should give all parties a chance to rest and regroup before hopefully coming back and beginning to live up to their potential.

Two days away from the NFL trade deadline, a number of difference-making defensive players could find themselves on new teams soon.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, multiple teams have called the Denver Broncos about linebacker Bradley Chubb, including one that is willing to trade its first-round pick and additional compensation.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo added that opposing teams believe Chubb is the "most likely" Broncos player to be dealt before the deadline, but Denver won't do it unless it gets "the perfect offer."

Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns was another marquee name Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo cited. Schefter reported last week the Panthers had already turned down an offer of two first-round picks for the 24-year-old.

According to the NFL Network report, the Panthers intend to keep Burns with the goal of extending him "in part to make sure the next head coach has plenty of talent to work with." They did note that general manager Scott Fitterer will always take calls, but a team would have to increase the offer from two first-round draft picks to entice him to make the move.

After Robert Quinn's trade to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, linebacker Roquan Smith's future with the Chicago Bears became a hot topic of discussion. The 25-year-old requested a trade during the offseason because of his unhappiness with how the Bears were handling extension talks.

According to Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo, there are a select group of teams with a need at inside linebacker that could pursue Smith. But the Bears could be inclined to franchise-tag him for at least one more season as they try to negotiate a long-term deal.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen has also been discussed, but it doesn't sound like a deal will happen before the deadline.

"Allen remains a key and valued piece of their future," Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo wrote. "He's a player Jacksonville wants to keep rather than trade and then attempt to replace. He would be due just $10.892 million in 2023 on his fifth-year option and in line for a big extension sooner than later."

Based on their positional value and production, Burns, Chubb and Allen would likely be the most impactful players moved if any of them were to get dealt.

Burns has one year remaining on his rookie deal that will pay him $16 million in 2023. He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks for the Panthers.

Chubb has eight quarterback hits and 5.5 sacks in seven starts this season.

Allen has 11 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and three sacks in seven games. He would likely bring back more in a trade than Chubb by virtue of having one year remaining on his rookie contract.

Often, the NFL trade deadline ends up being a lot more smoke than fire. But with Christian McCaffrey and Quinn having already been dealt, teams vying for a playoff spot could be more aggressive in a season with so much parity around the league.

The trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Bradley Chubb is among the pass-rushers who have heard their names come up in trade rumors in the past week or so, but the Denver Broncos veteran isn't sweating it.

"I'm not even thinking about that, bro," he told reporters Friday. "I'm just focused on these guys right here, orange, white and blue. Be the best leader, got the C on my chest for a reason. Captains don't let stuff get to them. They don't sweat under pressure."

"It's good to have that come up. ... It's just cool to be in a position where the interest comes in," Chubb added. "At the end of the day, I just let all that stuff be handled by the people who handle it. I just go out here and do what I can."

The 26-year-old is having an excellent season, registering 24 tackles (four for loss), 5.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed in seven games.

While the 2-5 Broncos have been a disappointment, especially on offense under new quarterback Russell Wilson, Chubb has helped lead a defense that is giving up just 286 yards per game (second in the NFL) and 16.4 points per contest (third).

"Nobody has withered from it," Chubb told reporters regarding the team's poor start. "Nobody is like woe is us because we're 2-5. ... Making sure we're coming out here and prepare to win games."

But it's no surprise that teams would at least inquire about Chubb, given that he can hit free agency after the season and the Broncos find themselves staring at a major mountain to climb if they want to reach the postseason, already sitting last in the tough AFC West.

“A lot of teams” pursuing #Broncos’ Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb, according to one GM I spoke with. “Premium player.” pic.twitter.com/vTuSucsazx

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 27, 2022

#Broncos Bradley Chubb is another name drawing interest. But Browning, Gregory, Patrick are hurt. I would franchise tag Chubb. But if a team offers a 2 and 3 or a 2 and a 4, they’d have to listen. #Denver7 https://t.co/xS5BQCm2o9

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 24, 2022

Still, the Broncos don't sound interested in letting him go.

"You know how much we like Bradley," general manager George Paton told reporters. "We want to keep all of our core players, and Bradley is one of our core players."

Justin Simmons on Bradley Chubb:

“I’d love for him to be my teammate forever. He makes my job so much easier.”

— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) October 26, 2022

The feeling is mutual, with Chubb telling reporters he "hundred percent, hundred percent," wanted to remain with the team.

Russell Wilson's airplane workout regiment worked.

Head coach Nathaniel Hackett announced Friday that Wilson will start for the Denver Broncos on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

The 33-year-old missed the Week 7 loss against the New York Jets with a hamstring injury and was in danger of missing the Week 8 tilt as well.

However, Wilson took some interesting steps to ensure he might be able to play:

Russell Wilson's full quote to media after Wednesday's practice talking about his plane ride from Denver to London pic.twitter.com/CUtW3agQVA

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 26, 2022

It's been a rocky year for Wilson in his first season with the Broncos.

The team is just 2-5 and the quarterback has been mediocre, throwing for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions while completing just 58.6 percent of his passes.

It has dampened what was an exciting offseason for the Broncos after bringing Wilson aboard via trade.

However, the nine-time Pro Bowler has remained positive, at least publicly.

"As hard as it (has) been, and it hasn't been exactly what we wanted it to be, storms don't always last," he told reporters in late October. "And this one's not going to last, because we're going to work our tails off and work through it. And we're going to try to be the best we can possibly be."

The Broncos will hope that positive energy pays off Sunday. They are currently in last place in the AFC West and are tied with the Jaguars in the overall conference standings.

The Denver Broncos are looking at the big picture despite a slow start to the season with new quarterback Russell Wilson.

"We are in it for the long haul with Russ, not seven games," general manager George Paton told reporters Thursday. "I believe in Russ. We just need to play better on offense."

The Broncos acquired Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks that cost three players and five draft picks, including two firsts, before agreeing to a five-year, $245 million extension with the quarterback.

It means Denver is committed to Wilson despite the disappointing 2-5 start to the season, with an offense that ranks dead last in the NFL with just 14.3 points per game.

Wilson missed Week 7 with a hamstring injury, although he has struggled when on the field with just five passing touchdowns and three interceptions in six games. His 83.4 passer rating would be the worst of his career, far below his 101.8 mark over 10 years with the Seahawks.

The quarterback's 35.2 Total QBR ranks 29th of 32 qualified players in the NFL this season.

Despite the issues, the Broncos don't really have much choice besides sticking with Wilson. The organization would be left with $107 million in dead cap if the quarterback was released in the offseason, per Spotrac.

It would take until at least 2025 for there to be a reasonable cap figure, and even that leaves $49.6 million after a trade or release.

Paton still stands by the contract extension, as he explained Thursday:

We wanted to get ahead of the contract cycle. We had seen how Russ was in the offseason and training camp and we felt really good about Russ. We feel really good about Russ. We wanted to get ahead of it. We didn’t want a lot of distraction during the season. We feel really good about it. I feel good about that deal. I feel like it will hold up. I feel good about Russ.

Wilson and the Broncos will try to turn things around Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.