History Russell Wilson and the 2022 Denver Broncos don’t want to repeat

May 23, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during OTA workouts at the UC Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during OTA workouts at the UC Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

How many QBs will the Broncos keep behind Russell Wilson?

As of the time of this writing, the question of how many quarterbacks the Denver Broncos keep is a relatively tough one.

In many respects, I think you could argue that keeping both Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien is a wise idea because of what all these guys bring to the table in the meeting room and as voices on the sideline during games.

You want your QB room to be strong and collaborative.

Although the Denver Broncos don’t have three all-star caliber players at the QB position, they have the makings of a good room that complements each other well.

Everything hinges on Russell Wilson staying healthy, though.

If Wilson goes down, the Broncos will be in bad shape over any sort of long period of time.

But is the potential of injury enough to justify keeping three quarterbacks on the roster when you may need the roster spots elsewhere?

That’s where I think the argument reaches a true fork in the road.

The Broncos have so many tough decisions to make at receiver, offensive line, off the edge, and in the defensive backfield.

They already have three roster spots dedicated to specialists and possibly a fourth if you count whoever ends up making the team as the kick and punt returner.

Can you really afford a fifth specialist on the 53-man roster in the form of a backup QB that’s never going to play?

The Broncos have snuck Brett Rypien through to the practice squad before. Josh Johnson has been on practice squads recently.

I think if the Broncos want to, they’ll be able to keep this group of quarterbacks together by keeping one on the practice squad and only dedicating one additional active roster spot behind Wilson to the position.

In the end, that’s exactly what I think they’ll do.

There’s no question that Wilson is the best QB the Broncos have had in the post-Peyton Manning era. The team’s hopes of contending rest on his shoulders.

Avoiding the disappointment of being a great team that couldn’t finish the job in the playoffs?

We’ll see how the rest of the season goes, but the Broncos didn’t just bring Wilson into the fold for regular season fireworks. They brought him in to hoist the Lombardi.

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