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5 best passing seasons for first-year Broncos quarterbacks

By Travis Wakeman

Nov 25, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) calls out in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) calls out in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 12, 2011, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 12, 2011, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Kyle Orton, 2009

Passing yards: 3,802

Touchdowns: 21

When Josh McDaniels came aboard as the Broncos’ new head coach, it didn’t take long before rumors started up that he wanted to move on from Jay Cutler in favor of Matt Cassel, his backup quarterback during his time with the New England Patriots.

Though Cassel was McDaniels’ hand-picked preference, he settled for Kyle Orton, whom the Broncos obtained in a trade with the Chicago Bears that sent Cutler to the Windy City.

Orton was another guy, like most on this list, who was really more of a career backup. But he had a career year in 2009, completing 62.1 percent of his throws while posting career-high numbers in passing yardage and touchdowns.

Orton would be the Broncos’ starter for the following season and into 2011 before his struggles and the deafening “Tebow” chants from the crowd at Mile High forced the team to make a change.

He was waived in November 2011 after posting a 12-21 record with the team. The Kansas City Chiefs claimed him off waivers the very next day.

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