What we learned -- beyond quarterback -- from George Paton and Nathaniel Hackett at the Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — The quarterback question looms over everything regarding the Denver Broncos’ football operation.

But that doesn’t mean other tasks are not on the to-do list, and plenty of those came up in question-and-answer sessions with general manager George Paton and new head coach Nathaniel Hackett as the NFL Scouting Combine got under way on Tuesday.

COULD MELVIN GORDON RETURN?

Paton said that he believed Javonte Williams is ready to “do whatever — full workload [or] shared carries.” But Gordon has expressed a desire to return to the Broncos, and Paton did not close the door on Gordon returning for a third season after the expiration of his two-year contract.

“I’ve had really good discussions with Melvin. We’d like to have him back,” Paton said.

Gordon had the fifth 10-touchdown season of his career in 2021. Since 2015, Gordon leads the NFL in 10-touchdown seasons, with his tally of five only matched by Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams.

“I think Melvin and Javonte really complemented each other well,” Paton said. “ They helped each other. Melvin was a total pro with Javonte, and I know Javonte appreciated that relationship … I think you need two or three runners in this league. They’re going to get nicked.”

WILL THE BRONCOS RETAIN BRYCE CALLAHAN?

The three-year contract he signed in 2019 has expired, and he is set to hit free agency. Paton said he will speak with Callahan’s agent in Indianapolis.

Callahan has been one of the NFL’s most effective nickel cornerbacks when he’s been healthy. Availability has been the issue with Callahan; he has missed at least three games to injury in each of his seven NFL seasons, and after missing all of 2019

“Obviously, keeping it open with Bryce,” Paton said. “We like Bryce. He’s a very good nickel.”

INSIDE LINEBACKERS HITTING THE MARKET?

Injuries also come into play when discussing Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson and Kenny Young, all of whom have expiring contracts.

All of them will fully recover, Paton said.

“Those are kind of freak injuries, the pecs (referring to the injuries suffered by Jewell and Johnson) and so, it wasn’t a lower body,” Paton said. “They’re ready to go right now, so they’ll be in the offseason program.”

The question is this: Which team’s offseason program? Paton acknowledged that the Broncos cannot bring all three of those players back, and given that Baron Browning could be pegged to start at one inside-linebacker spot, re-signing Jewell, Johnson and Young would be illogical.

“We’re going to discuss with their agents this week [about] where they stand,” Paton said. “We’d like to have them all back, but it’s going to be tough.”

CADEN STERNS, STARTER?

Safety Kareem Jackson’s one-year contract is also expiring, and given how efficiently Caden Sterns worked last year as a dime back and as a starter for two games, it seems logical that the 2021 fifth-round choice would get the first shot to start if Jackson is not re-signed.

“[Sterns is] really talented — he has range, he has ball skills, he can tackle,” Paton said. “He has everything a starting safety can have, but Kareem Jackson’s a hard guy to replace. But I’m really happy with his progress, and he can be a starter.”

Last year, Sterns was the only Broncos defender to post at least two interceptions, two sacks and two tackles for loss, despite playing just 32 percent of the defensive snaps.

“He just needs to keep developing and become a pro,” Paton said. “He needs to be available; [he] had some nicks that kept him out of games. If you’re going to be a starter, you need to be available.”

THE VALUE OF DISCOMFORT AND “SHOCKING PEOPLE”

Hackett bursts with energy and optimism, but there is also an “edge” to the Broncos’ new head coach, as Paton noted. Hackett will push, and as he said, he wants to have the tough conversations and situations with his staff and coaches.

“Being uncomfortable is where you get growth,” Hackett said. “If everybody is comfortable, then you’re not going to push yourself; you don’t know what’s going to happen You might get caught in your ways.

“So, I think it’s about kind of shocking people as much as you possibly can. I think it’s also those hard things that a lot of people don’t want to talk about — I love talking about ‘em, and, hey, get ‘em out in the open, let’s move forward and get better.”

But not everyone has been put on the edge of discomfort by Hackett.

“I’m still waiting for him to make me uncomfortable,” Paton said.

NOTES:

• Paton said that he remains confident in edge rusher Bradley Chubb, who will play this season on the fifth-year option. “I think he’s going to get back to that Pro Bowl level,” Paton said.
• Speaking of fifth-year options, Paton said that he has not decided whether to pick up Noah Fant’s fifth-year option for the 2023 season. The Broncos have several weeks to decide. “Noah is a really talented player, and we want him here a long time,” Paton said.