The Denver Broncos decided the price to acquire veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford was too rich, and they (along with every other possible Stafford suitor) are moving on.
The Denver Broncos made exploratory calls with the Lions regarding Stafford, and the Lions wanted draft picks, quarterback Drew Lock, and more of the Broncos’ young offensive core to get him. That was a price new general manager George Paton was not going to be willing to pay.
If the price were merely draft assets, Paton may have been able to justify it. The fact that Lock and other young offensive players were involved was a deal-breaker and rightfully so.
Trading one of the weapons to Detroit would have made any hypothetical Stafford trade make far less sense for Denver, who probably also would have balked at the idea of giving up both the 9th overall pick in this year’s draft and a future first-round pick.
First-round picks are seemingly inconsequential to the Los Angeles Rams, who haven’t had one since they took Jared Goff in 2016.
So what is on the table for the Denver Broncos now that Stafford is not?
Denver Broncos QB options after Matthew Stafford trade
Sticking it out with Drew Lock
The Denver Broncos were unwilling to put together a trade package including Drew Lock, other players, and draft selections to acquire Matthew Stafford.
Does this mean the team was unwilling to part with Lock? Not necessarily. The Broncos may have wanted to keep Lock but it’s more likely they were willing to move on from him if it meant acquiring Stafford for the right price.
The price was not right, which means that, at least to some degree, the Broncos are also comfortable sticking it out with Lock as one of their 2021 offseason plans.
If Lock isn’t moved for the remainder of the offseason, there is no doubt the Broncos will bring in competition. If they are going to give Lock another year and full offseason to prove he can improve in Pat Shurmur’s offense, they will almost assuredly go with a veteran who could start and play well in the event that Lock struggles or gets hurt.
John Elway has voiced his support of Lock but has also turned over his fate to new GM George Paton.