Denver Broncos quarterback options: five
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado: The Denver Broncos’ offseason revolves around the quarterback position.
With two games left in the 2023 season, Russell Wilson was benched by coach Sean Payton. If Wilson is released, as many in the league anticipate, the Broncos’ five-year, $242.6 million contract extension from 2022 will now have a big impact on what the team can and will do going forward.
“The financial part of it is a significant component, in terms of how this works out in the future, but that’s not what will drive the decision,” owner and CEO Greg Penner stated shortly after the season concluded. The best interest of this football team—winning games—will guide the decision.”
Another year? The Broncos salary cap would be hit with a $85 million dead money charge over the next two seasons if Wilson was released before the start of free agency.
The Broncos were “prepared for any scenario” with the salary cap, but general manager George Paton called that move “extreme” shortly after the season.
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Payton stated that he and Wilson had a “great relationship” and that no decision had been made during Super Bowl week. However, Wilson’s Denver house is for sale, and several people close to him have stated that he anticipates being somewhere else.
Many personnel executives in the league believe that Wilson’s chances of giving the team a break on his contract are slim, especially in light of the highly publicised benching and his claim that the Broncos threatened to bench him halfway through the season if he didn’t modify his contract. It was called “infinitesimal” by one.
Level of viability: Very little to none.
In the draft, trade up
To acquire one of the top quarterback prospects available, a trade up into the top two or three picks would need a substantial amount of capital. The Carolina Panthers moved from No. 9 to No. 1 in the previous season by sending the Chicago Bears two first-round picks (’23 and ’24), two second-round picks (’23 and ’25), and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Because of that trade, the Bears have the top pick in this year’s draft; therefore, it would be unrealistic to believe they would settle for anything less than what they acquired in April of last year. They are aware of its value.
The Broncos have only had three selections among the top 45 in the last four drafts combined, and they haven’t had a first-round pick since they chose Pat Surtain II in 2021.
Denver would need to bolster any possible trade offer to get closer to the top because it has the No. 12 pick. The talent on a team that hasn’t finished above.500 since 2016 would also be diminished by adding Surtain or other well-known players in a trade. In the April draft, the Broncos have six picks and
They would essentially be trying to manoeuvre a rookie quarterback prospect towards a depth chart that was specifically designed to accommodate him.
Level of viability: It is feasible, but the cost is prohibitive.
In addition to Jarrett Stidham’s projected $35.4 million cap hit in 2024 should Wilson be released, the Broncos have him on the books for a $7.3 million cap hit. They anticipate going over the cap by $13 million overall.
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Wilson’s release would also restrict the quarterback market aisle in which the Broncos could operate. According to Paton, the team didn’t
It’s likely that Baker Mayfield played his way out of a Broncos post-Wilson budget. If the price is right, Gardner Minshew and Sam Darnold might fit in Payton’s offence, but for the duration of the season, the Broncos’ biggest concern will be whether any veteran they could sign on a shoestring will be able to outperform Wilson, who has 26 touchdowns in 15 games.
Level of viability: Still the most likely, but with fewer resources available.
Follow Stidham’s lead.
With two games left in the season, Payton started Stidham in the starting lineup for a “spark.” Stidham completed 40 of 66 passes for 496 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the Broncos lost 1–1.
In those games, the Broncos scored 14 and 16 points, respectively, which was one of their lowest totals.
From an economic standpoint, rewarding Stidham—who signed a two-year contract prior to the previous season—would be the simplest way to absorb the cap implications of Wilson’s release. At the end of the season, Stidham expressed his confidence in his ability to lead the team.
It might also be a strong hint that the Broncos intend to focus on 2025 as the year they truly find a quarterback.
Viability level: A probable result in the event that free agency is unsuccessful.
Wait and see after drafting a prospect.
The Broncos could just wait and watch the quarterback frenzy play out in front of them in the first round, selecting No. 12 overall. Choose the quarterback they like and get him ready to play if that happens to them.
