How Jacoby Brissett Could Help Broncos Bridge the Future Post-Russ
The Denver Broncos are navigating a labyrinth of financial intricacies in the wake of the chickens of Russell Wilson's staggering five-year, $245 million contract extension coming home to roost. With its eye-watering $165 million guaranteed and a hefty $124 million initial payout, the Wilson deal has constricted the Broncos' salary cap like a vice, especially without him projected to remain in the picture, and it demands fiscal austerity from the team.
If the Broncos release Wilson, as expected, and designate him a post-June 1 cut, it'll come with $34.5 million in dead-money charges to the salary cap in 2024 alone. Thus, whatever solutions the Broncos explore at quarterback post-Wilson, they'll have to be relatively inexpensive and within the team's budget.
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett stands out as a potential uncut gem in the constrained economic landscape Denver faces. His journey through the NFL, which has included stops with the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots, has honed his resilience and adaptability.
Brissett's career statistics portray steady reliability, including a solid completion percentage of 61.3%, a career passing mark north of 10,000 yards, and a healthy touchdown-to-interception ratio of 51-to-23. His 2023 showing, though limited to three games as a backup, was particularly noteworthy, boasting a 78.3% completion rate and an impressive 9.7 yards per attempt, though he didn't start any games.
For the Broncos, Brissett resembles that dependable family sedan, not a dazzling sports car, per se. He's an unassuming yet consistent and practical veteran QB.
As it currently stands, the Broncos' quarterback situation is murky. If/when Wilson is released, the onus shifts uncomfortably to Jarrett Stidham, who was thrust into the limelight for the final two games of the 2023 season. Stidham's performance, based on such a limited opportunity, didn't provide enough of a sample size for Denver to hang its hat on from an evaluation standpoint.
Faced with the fiscal realities imposed by Wilson's monumental contract, every decision the Broncos make in free agency must be both strategic and economical. The Broncos could pursue Brissett as another stopgap option, but in a Sean Payton scheme, a greater potential could be uncovered.
Brissett could either serve as a cohesive force for the Broncos or act as a stopgap in turbulent times while Payton and company find a bonafide QB of the future the old-fashioned way. The hope would be that Brissett would be more of a hidden treasure than a mere temporary fix.
While signing Brissett might fail to thrill Broncos Country out of the gates, ideally, he could provide a stable bridge to the future, buying the team time to discover its next starting quarterback without further straining its already tight financial resources.
At 31 years old, Brissett enters his ninth NFL season. The Commanders signed him to a one-year deal worth $8M with $7.5M guaranteed. Brissett served as the team's failsafe to young upstart Sam Howell. The Broncos wouldn't have to break the bank to sign Brissett.
As a pro, Brissett has started 48 games after being drafted out of N.C. State by the Patriots in the third round back in 2016.
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