Analyzing Broncos' QB Contingency Plan Post-Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson had a horrendous 2022 season, throwing a career-low sixteen touchdowns and eleven interceptions with Nathaniel Hackett as his head coach. Russell needed a head coach to reign him in and keep him grounded, but Hackett was a doormat and an incompetent play-caller, allowing Wilson to run the offense he wanted rather than cater to his true strengths.
Sean Payton was brought in the following season to evaluate Russell, and after coaching him hard like he asked, Payton determined that Wilson wasn’t in Denver’s future. All signs point to the Denver Broncos cutting starting quarterback Russell Wilson just two years after acquiring him in a blockbuster trade. Sean Payton will be searching for a solution to his soon-to-be vacant QB spot through free agency and the draft, but what would be the best way to do so?
Sign a Free-Agent QB
Bringing in yet another veteran quarterback will surely make Broncos Country sick to their stomach, but it is a necessary move. Sean Payton needs a steady veteran to run his offense, and one name on the open market sticks out: Jacoby Brissett. Brissett has been a solid starter in his career, and while his numbers aren’t extraordinary, he could come in and be a dependable placeholder.
The flashier free agents like Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins aren’t realistic options due to Russell Wilson’s gargantuan cap hit. Fans must keep in mind that any quarterback brought in through free agency isn’t coming in to be “the guy,” and while that may be upsetting, Sean Payton’s system isn’t the easiest to pick up. It would be ideal to have any rookie signal caller brought in to sit behind a veteran like Brissett and learn the system instead of going blind, which leads to my next point.
Draft a Rookie QB
The Broncos absolutely must draft a quarterback in the upcoming draft, and there are some intriguing options that Sean Payton could fall in love with. Payton favors quarterbacks who are quick processors and efficient passers. The top prospects under that umbrella are Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, and Bo Nix. Denver may look at other talented quarterbacks in the draft, but the four I listed are more of Payton’s flavor.
Caleb Williams and Drake Maye will likely get drafted with the first two picks, so unless Denver somehow moves mountains to get to either slot, those two guys will be unattainable. McCarthy and Nix, however, are within striking distance.
Things could change with the scouting combine this week, but for now, McCarthy projects to be selected in the top ten, while Nix is a fringe first-round talent. Whether they decide to trade up for McCarthy, take Nix at twelve, or even trade down and snag him later, either young signal-caller could be groomed to be the long-term answer at QB Denver has longed for since Peyton Manning rode into the sunset.
Double dipping in free agency and the draft is Denver’s best shot at solving their post-Russell Wilson quarterback vacancy. Wilson didn’t live up to expectations under Sean Payton, but Sean won’t sit on his hands in finding his replacement.
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