Denver Broncos: Looking at veteran quarterback options for 2021
Denver Broncos 2021 veteran QB options: Deshaun Watson (Texans)
This would be a pipedream. Deshaun Watson has played four years in the NFL and is on a Hall of Fame trajectory already. Watson already possesses the second highest passer rating in NFL history and is only getting better.
Even during his rookie year, Watson proved why he belonged in the NFL and why he would be elite for years to come. Not only is he a great passer, he creates opportunities with his feet, partly because of his abysmal offensive line, but partly because he is a true dual-threat quarterback.
Watson won’t turn 26 until this September and recently signed a four-year extension. If the Broncos were to trade for Watson, he would be the future of the franchise for years to come.
Watson has a good, not great arm, exceptional accuracy, can create plays with his legs, and has often made chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what in Houston, especially this year.
2020 was clearly his best year; he passed for 33 TDs, 7 INTs, completing 70.2 percent of his passes for a rating of 112.4.
Arguably a top-three QB in the NFL, Watson has shown unbelievable consistency and production on a team that had very limited weapons this year and a putrid offensive line.
With Watson being so young, it’s hard to say if he is in his prime, or if he can get even better. His career stats indicate relatively incremental production, so maybe he can pass for 35 or 40 TDs next year?
If Deshaun Watson found his way onto the Broncos, the team would immediately be a Super Bowl contender. With an above average offensive line and elite weapons, the offense would instantly morph into a top-tier unit.
Not only that, Watson on the Broncos would put the AFC West into some exceptional quarterback matchups for the future.
Simply put, this would be the best possible scenario for the team. While I think it is unlikely that trade happens, it isn’t impossible.
All of Ryan, Stafford, and Watson share a few important qualities that I’d like to address.
All three would be coming into a new offense with young players around them. The Broncos, in fact, did have the youngest offense in the league last year.
I would expect all three quarterbacks to pick up the playbook rather quickly, and instantly form chemistry with the team. Being that Pat Shumur is expected to return in 2021, the current offensive personnel can also help these QBs get acclimated to the offense.
While it would usually be the other way around, it’s not far-fetched to think that Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler would be giving pointers to a 36-year-old Matt Ryan.
In each instance, the pros outweigh the cons. I firmly believe that all three of these quarterbacks will end up in the Hall of Fame one day, and each would provide that glimmer of hope and optimism that Broncos Country is in desperate need of.
So, Broncos Country, what do you think? How would you feel of any of these players suited up for the Denver Broncos in 2021?