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Insider: Broncos Came Up Short in Effort to Trade for Young QB
The Denver Broncos have most definitely been involved in the veteran quarterback market, but the team has shown restraint.
The Denver Broncos' quarterback situation is rather stark entering the home stretch of the pre-draft process. But as we inch closer to the draft and further away from the NFL's new league year opening, we're learning more about how the Broncos have maneuvered (unsuccessfully) to upgrade the quarterback position well before April 25.
We've long known that Denver was interested in free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. But last week, 9NEWS' Mike Klis reported that the Broncos were also trying to get in on the Sam Howell trade, which saw the Washington Commanders ultimately deal him to the Seattle Seahawks.
"Sources tell 9NEWS the Broncos had interest in free agent Sam Darnold and were in on the trade for Washington quarterback Sam Howell. But the price got steep on both, and Darnold wound up signing with Minnesota for a $10 million, one-year deal and Howell was dealt to Seattle in a double swap of draft picks that resulted in late-third-round value," Klis wrote.
It was a failed attempt, ultimately, but it does open a window into the thought process of Broncos head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton. The brain trust at Dove Valley hasn't been sitting on its hands knowing that Jarrett Stidham is currently QB1 on the depth chart.
The Broncos have been involved in the veteran QB market, but they've also shown restraint, which should encourage fans. It's all too easy for NFL teams to panic at quarterback, and either overpay or make a decision that in the fullness of time proves to be misguided.
“We looked at all the quarterbacks,’’ Paton said last week at the NFL owners meetings, again via Klis. “Trades, free agents, and it just didn’t work out. We didn’t want to force it with someone who’s not an ideal fit or we have a clear vision for, so the worst thing you can do is force it. We didn’t. We’re not panicked. We don’t play a game until September. We’re still talking to some quarterbacks in free agency and obviously the draft, we’ll look at that.”
What did it ultimately cost Seattle to acquire Howell? The Commanders dealt Howell, a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder to Seattle in exchange for a third-rounder and a fifth.
Denver has a third-round pick. But no second-rounder. So that third is a lot more valuable to the Broncos this year, and gives them flexibility in the draft relative to the ammunition to trade. It's understandable that Payton and Paton opted to hold onto it instead of landing Howell.
Of all the veterans within reach for Denver this offseason, Howell was among the most intriguing. Payton was likely more than impressed with the young QB after he victoriously led the Commanders into Empower Field in Week 2.
Howell made some amazing plays and throws in that game. He finished with 299 passing yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions and a QB rating of 108.8. The Commanders emerged victorious 35-32.
The QBs Denver showed interest in this offseason were all of the young variety. Darnold is a top-5-drafted bust but there are many coaches who loved him as a prospect coming out and remain convinced that if they could get him in their system, the former USC star could be redeemed.
In the 23-year-old Howell's case, he was Washington's fifth-rounder out of North Carolina in 2022. He showed a lot of promise and upside, but the inconsistencies of youth made the Commanders less than confident in his potential to be the future at QB.
The Broncos kicked tires on certain veteran QBs, but ultimately stood pat. Now, it seems all the team's thoughts and resources are bent on the draft later this month.
Holding the No. 12 overall pick, the Broncos could trade up, trade back, or stay where they are. It's all dependent on how the board falls, with as many as four quarterbacks projected to be drafted in the top 10, and as many as six in the first round.
The 2024 NFL draft kicks off on April 25. If nothing else, this report shows that Payton is not content with Stidham as his QB1 and has actively sought upgrades, but only at the right price.
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