The Denver Broncos have had many quarterback battles since the retirement of Peyton Manning, but we've (mercifully) graduated from starting quarterback battles to backup quarterback battles.
Jarrett Stidham was thrust into a tough situation late last season when Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the team's Divisional Round victory over the Buffalo Bills. Stidham was called into action for the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, and after a strong start to the game, he made a couple of bad mistakes and had to play the entire second half in the worst (pretty much only) blizzard of the year in Denver.
They were difficult circumstances, but the opportunity was presented, and Stidham wasn't able to capitalize. Entering the 2026 offseason program, there have been rumblings that Stidham's QB2 job could be up for grabs. Although Sean Payton hasn't really acknowledged that, Stidham's performance against the Packers in the second week of the preseason may indicate that an upgrade at backup quarterback is bordering on necessity.
The solution for the Broncos may not be Sam Ehlinger, either. It might be someone the team let walk out the door last offseason: Zach Wilson.
Zach Wilson could once again be an intriguing QB2 option for the Denver Broncos
With the season coming quickly, the Broncos don't really have the luxury of onboarding someone who has zero understanding of the offense.
In the event that your starting quarterback gets injured, you need someone who can hold down the fort capably, and ideally, you would have someone with at least a little bit of upside. That has been the thinking with Jarrett Stidham all along, but has Stidham done enough with his opportunities to warrant an $8 million cap hit this season?
Although Sam Ehlinger has perhaps made the most of his opportunities on the practice field, he doesn't have the same level of talent as someone like Wilson, who did a pretty good job in Denver during his short stint with the team.
The Broncos traded for Wilson before the 2024 season, and when he got opportunities in the preseason, he made the most of them. It wasn't perfect, but Wilson looked good enough to get a backup gig in Miami last offseason before earning another shot with the Saints in 2026.
Just like Jarrett Stidham, Wilson had a strong performance in Week 1 of the preseason followed by a tough performance in Week 2. But with a contract valued at one year, $1.4 million, the cost of someone like Wilson is substantially less than a player like Stidham. Stidham is also three years older.
The Broncos traded for Wilson once before. Perhaps they could consider trading for him again.
It might not be the most important item on the agenda right now given some of the team's struggles with penalties, special teams play, and trench play against the Green Bay Packers, but it's at least something to think about.
Wilson knows the Denver offense. He has a good relationship with the staff and the quarterback room. He would bring some familiarity to the room while also maybe offering a bit more upside if his number is actually called.
Add us as a preferred source on Google