The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks were the two most popular teams in their respective leagues this season. The game was going to be a rematch of the Super Bowl with an MVP-caliber player on each sideline. But then, just before kickoff, it happened: Keyshawn Johnson told Russell Wilson that he would have more yards by halftime than he did last year

Russell Wilson is a quarterback for the Denver Broncos. This week, he and his team were given a harsh reality check from former NFL player Keyshawn Johnson. Read more in detail here: who is russell wilson.

For the 2022 NFL season, the Denver Broncos had great hopes. Russell Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback, is their new quarterback, and he’s surrounded by some terrific weapons.

Should their expectations, however, be so high? Former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson disagrees, and he just issued a severe reality check to Wilson and the rest of the team.

Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos get a tough reality check from Keyshawn Johnson.

Wide receiver Tim Patrick recently said that the Broncos are “Super Bowl or bust this year” after the team’s trade for superstar quarterback Russell Wilson.

That is not the case, according to Keyshawn Johnson.

On the June 2 broadcast of NFL Live, he declared, “I don’t believe they’re Super Bowl contenders.” “… This division, let alone the conference, is exceedingly difficult. When you look at Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick as a receiving duo, you can see that they haven’t made the next step. It’s possible that it’s due to their quarterback’s poor performance. I’m not sure. Maybe I’m not paying attention to what I’m viewing. But I don’t think this squad has a chance to win the Super Bowl. With Russell Wilson, I believe they’re an eight- or nine-win club.”

Although eight victories would make the Broncos a losing club, Johnson is accurate in his assessment: Denver is not a Super Bowl candidate.

The Denver Broncos aren’t in contention for the Super Bowl.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson during practice in 2022.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson during practice in 2022. On April 25, 2022, Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos participated in minicamp. | AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The Broncos’ division will be the largest obstacle in their path of making the playoffs, much alone the Super Bowl, this season. The Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers are all members of the AFC West.

Last year, the Chiefs advanced to their fourth consecutive AFC Championship Game, while the Raiders have added Davante Adams to a club that qualified for the playoffs in 2021. The Chargers, on the other side, were 9-8 last season and added Khalil Mack over the summer.

Denver finished 7-10 in 2021, the fifth year in a row with a losing record. Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock didn’t play very well at quarterback, and the Broncos’ receivers didn’t exactly dazzle either. Jerry Jeudy had 467 yards in ten games, while Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick each had over 700 yards. Tight end Noah Fant, who led the Denver Broncos in catches, has also joined the Seattle Seahawks.

Will Russell Wilson be able to help the Broncos in 2022? Absolutely. But they can’t compete with teams like the Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC.

Denver will be difficult to defeat, but supporters should temper their expectations.

Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.

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