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Denver Broncos: 5 quarterbacks the team could stash for emergency

By Matthew Nagashima

Dec 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) drops back to pass in the first quarter against the New York Jets at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) drops back to pass in the first quarter against the New York Jets at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos 2021 roster – Trevor Siemian. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

The initial 53-man rosters are being set, and while Brett Rypien has been waived/signed to the practice squad as QB3, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the Denver Broncos made another move at QB this week. The past two seasons, Ryp has been promoted to the active roster at some point in the year, so there could well be space and cause for a QB4 in Denver.

I would imagine one of the front office’s biggest auxiliary priorities for the 2021 season is avoiding the humiliation of Week 12 last year. After being forced to play without a quarterback, finding insurance policies under center this year is worth an extra roster or practice squad spot.

Considering COVID may still be an issue this season and the fact that we’re already seeing a lot of movement to the Reserve/COVID list around the league, I’m wondering if Denver will ride into ’21 with just three passers on the roster.

Last year, teams went to interesting lengths to have contingency plans at QB. Most notably was the move to put WR Kendall Hinton under center, and our attempts to call on Royce Freeman, or even offensive QC coaches and former QB’s Rob Calabrese & Justin Rascati showed true desperation.

Obviously, week 12 was a freak occurrence, but it cannot happen again and George Paton could look to teams like the Eagles or Bills for a blueprint moving forward.

Last year, Philly signed 41-year-old Josh McCown to their practice squad as a 4th option, and essentially paid him to quarantine. The Bills made a similar move with Jake Fromm as their 4th as he worked out on a side field away from the team and would have been available if their other QB’s went down. Would’ve been nice to have an option like that in Denver.

So who could fill a role like this for the Broncos? With roster cuts happening this week, there are more than a few options who could fill out the QB room as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency player.

Denver Broncos Options at Quarterback

1. Trevor Siemian

Siemian ended up getting cut in a crowded QB room in New Orleans, but apparently, the team plans on bringing him back after they assign players to IR and PUP, per Tom Pelissero. The idea here is that he could back up Jameis Winston while Taysom Hill continues his roles as a utility player around the roster, and Ian Book develops.

However, should the Saints not choose to bring him back, or if Siemian is looking to return to Denver he would be an excellent option to round out this QB group. He’s the Denver Broncos’ winningest quarterback since Peyton Manning and would be more than capable of stepping in and carrying the team in case of emergency.

He was even offered a Pro Bowl Alternate spot in 2016, and his 3,401 Yard, 18 TD season was the last time the Broncos broke .500. I’ve always felt that Siemian is an ideal backup in the NFL, and a reunion in Denver would be a great outcome for both sides.

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