Linebacker K.J. Wright. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

K.J. Wright predicts Broncos will finish last in AFC West

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/23/22

It's been a few years since the Denver Broncos were playoff contenders. A lot of people think the addition of Russell Wilson is the key to turning things around in 2022, much like adding Peyton Manning was the key in the mid-2010s.

There's one person who isn't buying that, though: Wilson's former teammate, K.J. Wright.

The linebacker was quite loquacious in an interview with Mackenzie Salmon of USA Today, saying he doesn't think Denver isn't equipped to compete with other teams in the AFC West and won't even crack the playoffs.

"You got to look at it from a holistic standpoint," explained Wright, who believes the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs will represent the AFC in the playoffs. "You've got to look outside of the quarterbacks, what’s on the other side of the ball, what’s on defense. I believe the Broncos have some pieces, but I don’t know if it’s going to be enough to slow down these weapons in this division. It’s going to be tight, but only three are going to make it."

Wright isn't exactly dissing Wilson here, he just doesn't believe the Broncos have the right recipe in place yet. Wright, who is an unsigned free agent after playing one season for the Raiders, believes Vegas has made enough of the right additions in the offseason to take first in the division, followed by LA and then Kansas City. He also told Salmon he thinks the Chiefs will struggle now that Tyreek Hill has joined the Miami Dolphins.

What makes Wright's prediction even more interesting is how different it is from what sportsbooks are currently projecting. According to CBS Sports, Caesars Sportsbook has the Chiefs favored in the division at a +160 payout. They have the Broncos listed at +250 and the Raiders coming in fourth at +675.

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