The Denver Broncos will soon move on from Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson. The expected move should come ahead of NFL free agency in March.
This also means that head coach Sean Payton and Co. will have a major void to fill under center moving forward.
According to this note from longtime Minnesota Vikings broadcaster Paul Allen, Payton is incredibly high on former Michigan star signal caller J.J. McCarthy.
“There is just a little bit of steam that is beginning to emerge locally that Sean Payton loves J.J. McCarthy… [Payton] covets the next Drew Brees. So just keep that in mind, ya know, when you’re thinking 11 and if you’re thinking J.J. McCarthy at 11 just know behind you have the desperate [Payton] who basically will beg, borrow, and steal to get exactly what he wants from this draft from a QB standpoint. A pretty reliable individual informed me over the weekend that Payton is quite enamored with J.J. McCarthy.”
Report on Denver Broncos interest in J.J. McCarthy
It must be noted that Allen is close with Broncos general manager George Paton dating back to his days as an assistant general manager in Minnesota. He also has a relationship with several members of the Broncos’ organization. Just some food for thought.
Related: Denver Broncos expected to trade star player during NFL offseason
Denver Broncos interest in J.J. McCarthy in 2024 NFL Draft
McCarthy has been ascending tthe NFL Draft board in recent weeks after leading the Wolverines to the national title this past season. We currently have him going 11th to the Vikings in our most-recent mock draft.
Denver currently has the 12th pick in the first round of the annual event. Perhaps, the team figures a trade up from that spot to jump the Vikings should be in the cards.
- J.J. McCarthy stats (2023): 72.3% completion, 2,991 passing yards, 202 rushing yards, 25 total TD, 4 INT
As you can see, McCarthy was darn effective for Michigan a season ago. He improved leaps and bounds under current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
As of right now, USC’s Caleb Williams is likely go to No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears. North Carolina’s Drake Maye and reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels will likely be the next two quarterbacks off the board within the first five picks.
That puts the Denver Broncos, among other teams, in play for McCarthy’s services.