Denver Broncos: 2019 quarterback offseason primer
What now?
Given the fact the Broncos are on the hook for $21 million just for Case Keenum this offseason, any option that doesn’t involve Keenum in some capacity seems unlikely.
That could certainly change.
If the Broncos release Keenum, they will still have to pay him $10 million and would add whatever it would cost to get another veteran in the building on top of that. Guys like Nick Foles are expecting to make over $20 million per year. It doesn’t seem likely the team will have more than $30 million invested in the quarterback position this season with one guy not playing for the team at all.
The likely course of action for the Broncos will be the 2019 NFL Draft, where they could look in multiple rounds for quarterbacks.
Drew Lock of Missouri has been the subject of a variety of rumors, but more substantial than just rumors, the Broncos have actually shown significant interest in him. John Elway attended one of his games at Missouri, and the Broncos had scouts at four of his games in all this year.
There’s also time for the Broncos to become enamored by Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, or Daniel Jones, the three other quarterbacks expected to receive first-round consideration this year.
Beyond those first-round quarterbacks, the options are somewhat underwhelming but the Broncos may find a player with a skill set they like and feel they can develop. One player who has been the subject of some early offseason rumors is Jarrett Stidham of Auburn, but the Broncos were also paying close attention to Boise State’s Brett Rypien at the East-West Shrine practices.
If the Broncos don’t land a dynamic QB prospect in round one, they will likely shoot for a player who can play early on, execute the offense, and elevate the team. That’s sort of what Jimmy Garoppolo has been (when healthy) for the 49ers. He was not a spectacular specimen coming out of college but was a quick study of the Patriots’ and 49ers’ offense.
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The Broncos will undoubtedly grill quarterbacks on the whiteboard and find out which player is able to keep the offense moving along and humming all season.
After three years of underwhelming quarterback play, the time has come for the Broncos to bring in another young player with promise and potential to become a top flight player at the position looking down the road.