The inevitable has finally happened.
The Broncos and quarterback Russell Wilson decided to part ways after two uninspiring seasons, as Denver announced Monday it will release the nine-time Pro Bowler after the start of the new league year on March 13.
Wilson’s arrival in 2022 was meant to end Denver’s quarterback carousel. But he walks out the door, leaving the Broncos in the same position they’ve been in since Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning retired.
The Broncos’ willingness to eat $85 million of “dead” cap money shows they thought the relationship between head coach Sean Payton and Wilson was beyond repair. And though the departure puts Denver in a financial bind, Payton can bring in a quarterback that fits his vision.
Payton is determined to turn a franchise longing for success into a postseason contender. But with a handful of holes on the roster and a lack of cap room, the search for the Broncos’ next franchise quarterback might require the Super Bowl-winning coach to have patience.
Payton said during the NFL scouting combine that the Broncos “better” find a solution at quarterback if they want to compete in the same division as 3-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
“In this league, which is very competitive in our division, it’s vital,” he said.
With the Broncos projected to be around $16 million over the cap, according to Over The Cap, it’s unlikely they will have the money to lure pricey free-agent QBs like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield. Cousins is projected to have an annual salary of $39.3 million, while Mayfield is expected to make $27.1 million per year, according to Spotrac.
Denver could explore the possibilities of trading up in the draft or negotiating a deal with Chicago to acquire Justin Fields. But after giving up two first-round picks and two second-round picks in the trade for Wilson, should the Broncos continue to trade away draft capital?
There are potential answers in the draft. Oregon’s Bo Nix and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy have skill sets that work well in Payton’s offense, which relies on a physical run game and play-action passes.
Both are accurate, protect the football and are good at processing information — all traits Payton admires in a quarterback. But drafting either of those players is just step one of the process.
McCarthy, in particular, benefited from an elite run game that allowed the Wolverines to not ask him too much of him throwing the ball. The time it would take for him to develop as an NFL passer would be in direct conflict with Payton’s eagerness to win now.
Whoever the Broncos go with at QB, the most important thing will be surrounding him with talent that allows them to excel. When looking at the structure of the team ahead of free agency, there are plenty of question marks.
Denver has tough decisions to make across the roster to create cap flexibility, including key offensive players like wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick and starting left tackle Garett Bolles.
Let’s say Denver decides to part ways with Bolles. Who starts at left tackle? What if the franchise can’t match a large contract thrown at free-agent center Lloyd Cushenberry III?
Due to Denver’s financial situation, building through the draft is a logical solution. But it will take more than one draft since the Broncos only have six picks in April. Thus, adding a quarterback may not change the team’s fortunes overnight.
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“I do think part of our job is to build around the strength of your players,” Payton said. “Even this year, what are the things that we feel like our receivers do well, that (Wilson) does well, and that the running backs (do well)? That’s our job. And so our offense — and when I say our, (I mean) wherever I’ve been — it has been kind of an evolution of starting with the ingredients we have and then building around them.”
Although Payton believes it’s vital to find a quarterback, the organization shouldn’t feel forced to find a long-term answer this offseason. Forcing a player to be the guy could hurt their development and set the franchise further back.
That could mean rolling with Jarrett Stidham for a whole season and finding someone in next year’s draft. It might not sound glamorous, but that’s the position the Broncos have put themselves in.
Whether the Broncos find their next quarterback this offseason or the following year, it will take time to stir the ship in the right direction.
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