Sean Payton Shares Requisite Quality of Next Broncos QB
As the dust settles on the last few eventful days, it's clear that Russell Wilson will soon be moving on from the Denver Broncos. For proof, look no further than how Broncos head coach Sean Payton openly broke down the fundamental deficiencies with which Wilson saddled him in 2023.
"At some point, teams are going to make you win from the pocket," Payton told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday. "We can rush a certain way to keep a quarterback from escaping. We're going to have to be - wherever you're at - proficient enough on third down to take a snap, find a throw and protect that spot that you're referencing, regardless of height. I think oftentimes, these guys are seeing through lanes, not necessarily over them. Certainly for some quarterbacks, that can be a little bit more challenging."
Divorcing from Wilson is largely due to Payton growing tired of continually trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Nevertheless, the dramatic changing of gears to acquire a different type of quarterback will require plenty of groundwork and due diligence to be put in before the 2024 NFL draft on April 25.
On that note, alongside general manager George Paton, Denver's veteran boss promptly jumped down from the podium to meet with a rapidly ascending QB prospect, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, whom Payton is reportedly "enamored" by.
It'd be naive to suggest that, because the Broncos are meeting with McCarthy straight off the bat, they are sold on his talents exclusively. Many other signal-callers will be brought into the mix — such as Oregon's Bo Nix and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. — but undoubtedly the team's brass holds a genuine interest in McCarthy.
Undeniable, however, was when Payton critiqued the intangibles and basic skill set he requires from a quarterback — it sure seemed like he referenced McCarthy's talents.
"To your point with quarterbacks, I think one thing that's hard to measure is their ability to multitask, process and make decisions," Payton began his breakdown. "You can visit with someone and they can be intelligent, but how quickly can they deliver the information? How quickly can they get through the progression? Are they accurate? There are some fundamental things that we have to see that are present. Sometimes it's not as difficult as we make it out to be and then sometimes it's very difficult. I think we'll be really good at this, and I think to some degree, we're glad that a lot of people aren't."
Payton is plenty confident, not to mention savvy enough, to realize the huge risks that are inherently attached to drafting rookie passers. But the indisputable fact remains, while Payton's blueprint was laid out with plenty of purpose, it once again pointed toward the Wolverine.
"I think there's risk, obviously," Payton offered. "There's no certainty or else we'd be fantastic with the draft. There are certain risks. I think how quickly they can process the information. For some when you get them in rookie minicamp, you realize, 'Ah, I've been with a rookie before and just feel like this is not how I wanted it to go.' He's having trouble spitting out the plays and maybe it takes a while. Maybe that's something that you realize is going to be a hindrance or set him back. I think we shouldn't miss on stature because we get to feel it and look at it and measure it. We shouldn't miss on athleticism. All of those traits should be easier to be correct on, but the more difficult ones - leadership we shouldn't miss on because we should feel that and be able to research that. It's that other element and it's really the difference of just that. For some, it's two thumb thick and for others it's one. You just hope it's one."
When it comes to the Broncos' quest for Wilson's successor, one thing is certain: it won't be as easy as counting by numbers.
Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
