Kiz: When an NFL team with championship expectations misses the playoffs three consecutive seasons, major change is needed beyond replacing the coaching staff. It wasn’t all Vance Joseph‘s fault. So let’s start here: Is the Denver defense still championship material? And should Derek Wolfe, whose salary-cap number for 2019 is a whopping $10.9 million, be part of the defensive core? Or should the Broncos part ways with Wolfe?

O’Halloran: The Broncos defense is no longer championship material, the product of moving on from some players and poor drafting/developing of their replacements. But John Elway is not the tear-it-down-and-rebuild type. That means he can’t cut everybody. Wolfe has earned a 2019 roster spot with the Broncos, but that cap number certainly jumps off the chart — fourth-highest on the team behind Von Miller, Case Keenum and Emmanuel Sanders.

Kiz: Know what is most concerning to me about this team? The Broncos have gotten used to losing. Too many veterans seem resigned to mediocrity. When cornerback Chris Harris Jr. suggested a tidal wave is coming, it’s the complacency that needs to be washed clean. And that brings me to Wolfe. What I love about him is the passion. He plays angry, he practices angry, he talks angry. Can the Broncos afford to lose that?

O’Halloran: To begin the climb back to contention, the Broncos need guys like Harris to lead the secondary and guys like Wolfe to lead by example up front. He played 710 snaps this past season, most among the Broncos’ defensive linemen by 188 snaps, had 11 1/2 pass-rush disruptions (sacks/hits/pressures) and led the team with 22 1/2 run “stuffs” (gain of three or fewer yards). Wolfe came back from his neck injury to play all 16 games and he should be even better in 2019 after a regular offseason of training instead of rehabilitation.

Kiz: My theory is the Broncos need to draft well, continue to develop their young core, muddle through next season and go get a hotshot young quarterback in 2020. I’m not at all certain Elway or Broncos Country has the patience for rebuilding. But, if this team is rebuilding, then it’s time to move on from expensive veteran talent, no matter how much I love Wolfe. Does he have trade value?

O’Halloran: Wolfe may have some trade value because he is entering the final year of his contract. But here is what the Broncos should do: Give him an extension that lowers his 2019 salary cap number in exchange for another wave of reasonable guaranteed money in 2020-21. Wolfe would likely be open to that. The Broncos have players like Harris, Wolfe, Miller, Bradley Chubb, Justin Simmons, etc., and can complement them with some free-agent and draft talent to attempt a fast defensive rebuild.