Russell Wilson’s dismissal has the Broncos quiet in QB free agency.

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado: The Denver Broncos’ greatest offseason mystery, their quarterback depth chart, is still mostly unsolved as the first wave of free agency reached the NFL beach this past week.

The team will adhere to a more measured approach, as general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton have stated in recent weeks. Paton even used the word “strategic.”

Paton had declared, “We’re not going to be as aggressive as last year.” “We’re just going to try to be more measured and fill specific needs and positions across the team.”

The Broncos, who awarded three of the top 11 free agent contracts to players other than quarterbacks the previous season, have not been very active this year. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, safety Justin Simmons, and quarterback Russell Wilson all generated more headlines when they were cut.

They increased security. Two players with a combined total of 35 starts in their 95 career games are defensive end Malcolm Roach (two years, $7 million) and Brandon Jones (three years, $20 million), who were selected via the open market. Jones has made 30 of those starts. The Broncos focused mostly on resigning a group of players.

of their own free agents, including kicker Wil Lutz, tight end Adam Trautman, fullback Michael Burton, and safety P.J. Locke, to one- and two-year contracts.

However, the most important position that their opening actions neglected to consider is quarterback.

In the first several days of free agency, twelve quarterbacks who were unrestricted free agents signed with new teams; none of them were with Denver. With Wilson’s departure this year, the Broncos have salary cap charges of slightly over $67 million for players who are no longer on the team.

They were priced out for players like Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield (who re-signed with Tampa Bay), and Gardner Minshew because of this, which has put them in a difficult financial situation going forward. Sam Darnold, Jimmy Garoppolo, Drew Lock, Jameis Winston, and Jacoby Brissett all inked one-year contracts with their new teams. Winston played for Payton in New Orleans.

When asked how crucial it was to find a quarterbacking answer in the weeks leading up to the start of free agency, Payton responded, “We better [find a solution].” It’s essential in this league since our division is so competitive.

According to Payton, he once saw a picture of a Broncos fan sporting a shirt that had “eight quarterbacks’ names crossed through it.” and said, “Our responsibility is to ensure There isn’t a line through the next one.

Currently the presumed starter, Jarrett Stidham is under contract for the 2024 season and started the final two games of the previous campaign after Payton benched Wilson. At the end of the 2024 season, Ben DiNucci—who has one career start and spent the season on the practice squad—signed a futures contract with the Broncos.

Ryan Tannehill (35), Carson Wentz (31) and Blaine Gabbert (34), the three free agent quarterbacks with the greatest starting experience who have not yet signed, are the most experienced.

Additionally, the Broncos have the 12th pick in the first round of the draft—not exactly the ideal position to select one of the best passers in the field. To advance and choose one of the draft’s They probably wouldn’t have the kind of draft capital to spare if they went after one of the top three quarterbacks on their board, or even one of the top four.

They presently don’t have a second-round pick this year and haven’t selected in the first round in either of the last two drafts.

“To advance… We might not have the draft capital available to us for that. Although realistically it would be difficult to climb up to No. 1, we’re open for everything,” Paton stated The Broncos will now have to wait at No. 12 to see which quarterbacks are still available and whether they believe in any of those quarterbacks enough to make a selection. If not, they might select the player with the highest grade available, akin to their previous decision to select two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Pat Surtain II in 2021 with a first-round choice.

They might also give up some selections in exchange for a move down According to Paton, “Yes, trading down is easier from where we are at No. 12; it just depends on who’s there.” “We anticipate that 12 to 15 athletes will receive great grades from us. The location we choose will be extremely important if we decide to relocate south.

Ultimately, Payton has continually conveyed his belief that the Broncos have a clear understanding of what they want in a quarterback of the future and that they have the capacity to acquire it.

“Although someone may be intelligent when you visit with them, how quickly can they impart information?” When assessing quarterbacks in the draft, Payton stated. “How fast are they able to complete the progression? Are they true? There are a few essential elements that we must acknowledge as existing. There are instances where it’s much easier than we think it is, and instances when it’s much harder. We’ll be incredibly good at this, and we’re kind of glad that most people aren’t, in my opinion.