Mark Kiszla: Sean Payton's $164 million folly could be worse thing to happen to Broncos since Russell Wilson

As wretched as quarterback Russell Wilson was for the Broncos, this revolting development could be every bit as disastrous for the team’s future.

Or maybe worse, if you believe a strong NFL franchise is built from the ground up.

The offensive line Sean Payton has built is beginning to look like a money pit. Way too much money has been thrown in the trenches for Denver to be so thoroughly unremarkable at blocking the run or protecting the quarterback.

I call it Sean’s $164 Million Folly.

That’s how much guaranteed money, much of it allocated by Payton, that the Broncos have invested in an offensive line the head coach doesn’t seem to have a clue how to use.

While it might be rough, let’s call out Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz and Garett Bolles for what they are:

Average, at best.

And that’s not nearly good enough for a team decidedly lacking in offensive playmakers at the skill positions.

Yes, Courtland Sutton might not be a legit No. 1 wide receiver and Javonte Williams might never again resemble the rock-em, sock-em running back he was before a serious knee injury.

So when Payton suggested the Broncos needed to be better around rookie quarterback Bo Nix after a 26-20 loss to Seattle in the season opener, it’s understandable why all the consternation is focused on the lack of big-play pop from Denver’s skill positions.

But the far bigger shame? Payton isn’t reaping dividends from his heavy investment in overhauling a franchise that hasn’t appeared in the NFL postseason since the 2015 season.

From first down to the red zone, from opening lanes for a running back to keeping the QB’s uniform clean, this Denver offensive line simply isn’t as effective as any NFL playoff contender needs to be.

While overpaying Bolles for a single outstanding season the work of John Elway and the 32-year-old left tackle seems likely to be sent packing at the conclusion of this season, when his contract hits its expiration date, the vast majority of the $164 million in guaranteed money invested in Denver’s McGlinchey, Powers and Meinerz.

Two things about this offensive line are unsettling, if not downright disturbing.

No. 1: While McGlinchey, Powers and Meinerz are all touted as road graders, the Broncos ranked a mediocre 18th of 32 NFL teams a year ago with 106.5 rushing yards per game and ranked a ho-hum 21st at 4.0 yards per carry. During the season-opener loss against Seattle, when Denver averaged an inch under 4 yards on 25 carries, making it appear as if little was learned or improved by work in training camp.

No. 2: Despite a proclivity for throwing the ball short of the sticks against the Seahawks, the 44.9% pressure rate on the quarterback allowed by Denver was the worst of any offensive line in the league during Week 1, according to video breakdowns by The 33rd Team. That’s a poor way to build a rookie quarterback’s confidence, but maybe a good way to get him hurt.

Does Payton not know how to use this offensive line as a sledgehammer?

Is the coach too impatient and pass-happy to stick with the running game long enough to let synchronicity between a back and his blockers evolve? Or are McGlinchey, Bolles and company paid far beyond their worth as NFL players?

“We’ll have a good plan relative to our running game,” Payton said Wednesday, as the team installed a game plan for Week 2.

Maybe it’s too much to expect Denver to be explosive on offensive, but there’s no excuse for a failure to be physical.

While the Broncos swallow hard to digest the unsavory dead-cap dollars left behind after Wilson moved on to Pittsburgh, I wouldn’t get your hopes up to unleash cathartic booing at DangeRuss when the Steelers visit Colorado on Sunday. Early indications are the achy, creaky 35-year-old body of Mr. Unlimited will probably keep Wilson on the sideline and give Justin Fields at least another week to prove he deserves to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback.

But Wilson is Pittsburgh’s problem now.

Here’s what should make Payton anxious and keep him awake nights, burning the midnight incense in his office at Broncos headquarters:

If you believe a football team is built from the ground up, and this Denver offensive line really does stink, Nix will feel the earth quake beneath his feet, and his future as the long-term answer at quarterback is already on shaky ground.