Russell Okung has become the leader the Broncos' offense needed so desperately

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The 2015 Denver Broncos were mostly about their defense. Yes, the aging Peyton Manning got plenty of attention, but even the all-time passing leader knew Super Bowl 50 was won due to the Von Miller and the “No Fly Zone.” The return of a large part of that defense mixed with the enormous amount of room for improvement on the other side of the ball was cause for optimism heading into this season.

One area where the team felt they improved was on the offensive line, and an unlikely signing has brought not only a skilled player on the field but a needed leader in the locker room.

Russell Okung came to Denver March 17 after negotiating what many thought was a terrible player contract. Okung bet on himself, getting much of his $33 million contract in stages, while allowing the Broncos to cut bait for a relatively small amount if they were so inclined.

Thus far, Okung has shown why he’s so confident.

“He’s really important,” head coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday. “Russell has been around winning, and he’s been a really good player, so that is what you want on your team.”

The only gamble for the Broncos was on Okung’s health. He suffered a dislocated left shoulder in his final game with the Seattle Seahawks and surgery was required to fix it. The recovery was lengthy, causing him to miss most of the organized team activities in the offseason and even parts of training camp. But now, after two regular season games, there is little doubt as to whether he is back to his 2012 Pro-Bowl-self.

“He’s looking like vintage Russell Okung to me,” practice opponent Von Miller told BSN Denver. “He’s looking back like that Russell Okung coming out of Oklahoma State, in my opinion.”

The former All-American Cowboy is playing in his seventh season in the NFL and during that span has started all 74 regular season and 12 postseason games, allowing the second-fewest sacks (20) among NFL linemen with at least 70 starts at left tackle since his rookie season of 2010. He has yet to give up a sack in a Broncos uniform and is rated as the second-best run-blocking tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. According to Kubiak, he will only get better.

“I think Russell is coming. I think he is going to play even better as we go,” the coach said. “He has not missed a snap so I think you will see Russell improve in what we do, condition and all those things.”

In the offseason, the Broncos released or wilfully watched as Louis Vasquez, Evan Mathis, Ryan Harris and Tyler Polumbus all said their goodbyes. The team also could not renegotiate left tackle Ryan Clady’s contract, leading to the eventual pursuit of Okung. His leadership, as well as his play, are now in high demand, and he hasn’t disappointed.

“Russell has been a great leader,” fellow lineman Michael Schofield declared Wednesday. “If something is going wrong, he is the guy that rights the ship. He’s been in every situation so he’s the vocal leader and he is a physical leader; he is dominating.”

The Broncos are entering Week 3 with some serious question marks along the offensive front due to injuries, making Okung’s stability and leadership are certainly vital at this early juncture. Miller, who is now a team leader has appreciated what he has brought to both the locker room and the offensive side of the ball.

“He’s the same leader from the Seahawks, it’s just a different team,” the Super Bowl MVP said emphatically. “He’s the leader of the offensive line, not just that; he’s our tough guy. Your best offensive lineman is supposed to be one of your toughest guys, and he is definitely that. He is wise beyond his years. We damn near the same age, he’s like a year older than me but when we sit and talk he’s got so much more vision and wisdom, and that’s Russ. He’s opened up my eyes to a lot of stuff.”

The Broncos, again, have a dominating defense composed of dominating personalities, but the team gained a tough and intelligent player on and off the field where they needed it most.