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Denver Broncos need to start their 2023 offseason checklist

By Aric Manthey

ENGLEWOOD, CO - MARCH 16: General Manager George Paton of the Denver Broncos addresses the media before introducing Quarterback Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - MARCH 16: General Manager George Paton of the Denver Broncos addresses the media before introducing Quarterback Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Nov 13, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) walks off the field after throwing an interception to end the game during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Upgrade your QB Room

Last, but certainly not least, is upgrading the depth of the QBs.  Boy, where do we begin on this one?

Well, that’s simple to answer. Russell Wilson has been a gigantic disappointment. I don’t need to write out ANY of his stats in order for you to understand how poor he’s been this season. We’ve all seen the games.

Why is it that when we spend years looking for “value” at the position, we never get a good return but the year we FINALLY invest in someone long term, it’s a renaissance for journeyman?

Guys like Geno Smith, Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke, and even Mike White have shown the league that it’s wise to give 2nd (or 7th) chances to once-promising QB prospects. Fit is everything and as we’ve seen with Wilson this year, we don’t have the right mix to make it work.

The idea of Wilson being installed in Denver to spark the offense has fallen apart at the seams. The most unfortunate part of it all is despite the poor play, his mega extension signed earlier in the year precludes us from moving on from him (for now).

So what do the Broncos do about the position? It’s simple. You need to find another passer with tangible, long-term upside. Brett Rypien and Josh Johnson aren’t the answers. That much is abundantly clear.

Rypien’s at a point where he needs to follow in his fellow Boise St. alum’s footsteps and get into coaching (seems to be working out for Kellen Moore). As for Johnson, let’s be honest, he’s only here because of his ties to Hackett/Evero. That invitation isn’t likely to be extended by another coaching staff. What about other veterans, though?

Well, there are a few options to consider. Allow me to list a handful of guys that would fit under this context.

  •  Sam Darnold
  • Baker Mayfield
  • Taylor Heinicke
  • Cooper Rush
  • Gardner Minshew

In addition to that group, you also have guys like Mike White, Jacoby Brissett, Mason Rudolph, and Kyle Allen that can be adequate backups/spot starters. There are varying degrees of talent amongst that group but there may be one stumbling block to addressing backup QB this way.

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