Bo Nix or Sam Darnold? QB Guru Identifies the Broncos Scenario That Is More Likely
Once upon a time, Denver Broncos general manager John Elway fell in love with USC quarterback Sam Darnold before even Drew Lock existed in the Mile High City. Before the 2018 NFL Draft, rumors of Elway’s infatuation with Darnold circulated, along with talk of the Broncos potentially trading up to acquire the quarterback.
Elway reportedly wanted to trade for running back Saquon Barkley with the New York Giants at the second overall pick, but that didn’t work out. The New York Jets selected Darnold with the third overall pick.
With the fifth overall pick, the Broncos chose edge rusher Bradley Chubb. In the first round of that year’s draft, five quarterbacks would ultimately hear their names called, and the Broncos had the chance to select Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson rather than Chubb—a move that many fans have since lamented.
In 2024, with a significant quarterback position to fill in the event that Russell Wilson is cut, the Broncos will have a chance to finally add Darnold to the team, even though Elway has long since left the front office. Darnold will be a free agent at the end of the season, but he is currently San Francisco’s backup to Brock Purdy.
Does Sean Payton, the head coach of the Broncos, have anything to be excited about in Darnold? With the No. 12 overall pick in this year’s draft, the Broncos will have the chance to select a quarterback, though maybe not one of the top three signal-callers in the class.
There will be heated discussions about whether the Broncos should select a backup starter for another season or select a Michael Penix, Jr., Bo Nix, or J.J. McCarthy at number twelve. Anticipate that Darnold will be among the more attractive options the Broncos are considering, particularly in light of his 2018 draft classmate Baker Mayfield’s successful return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past season.
The Darnold debate will continue for the foreseeable future on Denver radio and all the local podcasts. Thought leaders in quarterbacking, such as Joel Klatt of FOX Sports, will likely be consulted in regards to a Darnold-to-Denver scenario, ultimately, Payton’s preferences will determine the kind of quarterback he wants.
In light of what Payton believes to be the perfect quarterback, Klatt recently acknowledged that he would prefer to err on the side of the draft if given the option between signing Darnold and selecting a quarterback like Nix at No. 12 overall.
“I would probably take Nix, but that’s a really tough one,” Klatt said in a recent interview with Denver’s 104.3 The FAN. “Sean [Payton] looks great in Nix… Nix’s ability to use his cerebral nature to judge where to throw the football is one of his many strengths. Sean is more at ease, in my opinion, in that role. He wants to play more as a point guard and is accurate in the short and intermediate zones. He also releases the ball quickly. That seems like a guy who could be very successful. He fulfills many requirements: he is highly experienced, very mature, and has a great head on his shoulders. The worst part is
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The majority of Broncos supporters are unwilling to even consider the prospect of another quarterback reclamation project. Ever since Paxton Lynch and the previously mentioned Lock failed to launch, that has been this team’s game plan.
Wilson would join the ranks of Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater, and other transplanted veterans who were brought to Denver with great expectations only to depart with their tails between their legs if they are cut. The Broncos would be smart to start over at quarterback, whether the timing is right or not, and select a future franchise player through the draft, the traditional route.
There are undoubtedly a lot of offensive-minded coaches in the NFL who were once enamored with Darnold and may still be hoping to integrate him into their scheme. Although it’s hard to argue that Darnold would be much of an improvement over Jarrett Stidham, Payton could be one of those coaches.
