Colorado Rockies have a brighter future than the Denver Broncos

Just over 10 months ago, we proposed the theory that the Colorado Rockies had the brightest future of any professional team in Denver. You can see the article by clicking here. After watching the Denver Broncos get pounded again on Sunday afternoon, it’s time to revisit the thought, certainly in terms of the future of the Rockies versus the Broncos.

Let’s look at the facts. In losing its eighth consecutive game on Sunday in a 35-9 rout by the Miami Dolphins in south Florida, the Broncos slipped to 3-9 on the season and have little to play for the rest of the season. The face the prospect of choosing between meaningless wins or making sure they get a high draft pick so they can take a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft.

That is part of the reason why Denver’s future looks bleaker than the Rockies. There is no “face of the franchise” on the offensive side of the ball … and there is no one waiting in the wings to take over at quarterback. Paxton Lynch has shown he is not the answer just like Denver’s other two quarterbacks have as well. They will seemingly have to start from scratch with a new signal-caller coming in for the 2018 season. Could it be a veteran free agent? Could it be one of the bevy of choices coming out of college this season? It remains to be seen.

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The Broncos also have to wonder if Vance Joseph was the right hire for their head coaching position. Bud Black took the Rockies to the National League playoffs in his first season at the helm. Joseph has done little to show Broncos fans any optimism for the future, with the quarterback carousel being one of the biggest blunders.

And by the way, it is hard for any quarterback to do well with the kind of offensive line the Broncos currently have. There is a lot that needs to be fixed with the Broncos and one year isn’t going to do it.

On the other side of the ball, Denver’s tough defense has bent and broken this season. It will be surprising if it stays together for the 2018 season. Even if it does, it will be another year older and slower.

You can talk past Super Bowls all you want. That was then. This is now. And the now isn’t pretty.

The Rockies, meanwhile, bring back two MVP candidates in Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon and are expected to once again contend for not only a postseason spot but also the National League West crown. With a young and talented pitching staff, Colorado is primed for one of its best runs in the mound in franchise history.

Certainly what the Rockies do in free agency will determine much of their opportunities for equaling or bypassing last year’s successful season in 2018. However, the building blocks are there for Colorado to make Rocktober reappear next season.

Next: If we were the Rockies, here are the trades and moves we would make for 2018

Denver may be a “Broncos town,” but in the short term for certain, it looks like the Rockies who are primed to grab the most success. That may not sit well with those who wear orange and refuse to dawn purple, but is hard to argue with right now.