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3 free agent QBs the Broncos should consider to push Russell Wilson in 2023

By Sayre Bedinger

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos confers with teammates on the sideline during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos confers with teammates on the sideline during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos simply cannot go into the 2023 season with Russell Wilson and no competitive backup situation to speak of. With all due respect to the players on the roster in 2022, it doesn’t seem likely that the Broncos could turn to Brett Rypien or Josh Johnson for an extended period of time and have a bunch of team success. Although at this point, wouldn’t just about anything be worth a try?

Recently, I wrote about why the Broncos need to have better contingency plans in place for Russell Wilson in 2023, and I am not afraid to say that I think this team needs to add someone both in free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster in 2023, including Russ. Even though the offseason to-do list will undoubtedly have a major emphasis on putting the best possible cast around Russell Wilson, I also think general manager George Paton (should he still be in that seat) must face the reality of the situation and make sure he has options in case:

  • Russell Wilson is bad again in 2023
  • Wilson is hurt and tries to play hurt in 2023

It just so happens that there are plenty of intriguing backup options coming up in free agency, perhaps some players that would see the opportunity in Denver to either unseat Russ or spend a year with whatever coach the Broncos bring in as advantageous, even knowing that Wilson’s pay grade will keep them in the QB2 slot.

Money will talk come time for free agency. Here are some QB2 candidates that might be worth the Broncos investing in next March…

Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) looks for an available receiver against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Denver Broncos should sign free agent QB Gardner Minshew

Many fans have been clamoring for Gardner Minshew to join the Broncos since he came into the league a handful of years ago. As is typically the case when GM Howie Roseman is involved in the deal, the Philadelphia Eagles stole Minshew last year in a trade with the Jaguars and, as a result, have a very cost-effective and very good backup quarterback. I’m not certain that Minshew is a long-term NFL starter, but his numbers have always been impressive.

  • 63.2% completion rate
  • 221 yards per game
  • 93.9 QB rating
  • 41 touchdowns
  • 13 interceptions

Minshew was outstanding a couple of years back when the Jacksonville Jaguars came into Denver and scraped and clawed their way to victory. Again, is he long-term starter material? I’m not certain of that, but I am certain that when he gets opportunities to come in and play, he’s got a certain way about him of rallying his teammates and making plays.

I think Minshew would be one of the top targets from my seat as an armchair GM if I had any say in who the Broncos would target as their QB2 for next season, and I would even entice him with a multi-year deal and some nice guarantees, potentially putting him in the driver’s seat to be the starter in 2024 if things go really south with Russell Wilson in 2023.

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