Denver Broncos 2020 FA Grades: Jeff Driskel, QB
Contract: 2 years, $5 million ($2.5 million guaranteed)
With the idea of upgrading the backup quarterback position, the Denver Broncos brought in Jeff Driskel from the Detroit Lions.
Driskel had some starting experience in his years prior to joining the Broncos, both with the Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
The logic behind signing Driskel in 2020 was fairly sound, if we’re following correctly. The former sixth-round pick (2016) has obvious athletic upside and a strong arm, and in the event that Drew Lock was injured, it was expected that Driskel could come in and provide a spark with his arm and legs.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first relief appearance, Driskel nearly led the Broncos to a come-from-behind win on the road. Unfortunately, the Broncos fell short.
Driskel got the start against the Buccaneers the following week and was bad enough that he was benched for Brett Rypien, who assumed no. 2 quarterback duties from that point on.
Given the fact that Driskel did not have any prior knowledge of Pat Shurmur’s offense and was not a reliable enough fall-back option, the decision to sign him was highly questionable after a year to assess it.
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The potential upside of Driskel was not nearly as high as his physical traits may have led anyone to believe, and his ultimate demotion should lead to his first year in Denver likely being his only year in Denver.
Grade: D