Now that Russell Wilson is set to be released, the Denver Broncos will need another starting quarterback to take over in 2024. Going into a season with Jarrett Stidham entrenched as QB1 likely won’t get this team very far in a division that also features Patrick Mahomes and two other hungry AFC West teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, who are eager to show growth under new coaching staffs.
There’s no doubt the Broncos will add at least one QB to their roster this offseason, and as The Athletic reported, there’s even a belief they are “intrigued by adding a young QB via trade.”
With the Broncos possessing the 12th pick in the draft, just behind others like the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, it’s possible they won’t be able to land a first-round prospect Denver has their eye on. This means we could see the Broncos turn to the trade market if the goal is to add a young QB to the roster, but who’s even available? Here are just a few QB solutions the Broncos could turn to this offseason.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2024: From Patrick Mahomes to Aidan O’Connell
Trey Lance
Last year, the Dallas Cowboys traded a 2024 fourth-round pick for Trey Lance. They may not be ready to throw in the towel on the former No. 3 overall pick just yet either. However, if/when Dak Prescott signs his contract extension, there won’t be an urgent need to continue developing a young backup. This means, for the right offer, it’s possible Lance could be on the move again, yet since the Cowboys do still need a capable backup behind Prescott, they may not be eager to deal either.
Related: Bill Belichick could team up with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions
Mac Jones
Seemingly set to be pushed out of New England, Mac Jones shouldn’t have trouble landing on his feet if he’s traded this offseason. The former first-round pick will be 26 when the season starts. He’s not quite ‘young,’ but it’s possible there’s still a higher ceiling for the former 15th overall pick to reach. Can he grow under Sean Payton?
Related: New Orleans Saints could trade 4x Pro Bowl talent to help with salary cap woes
Justin Fields
Already a weapon with his legs, what everyone is curious to uncover is whether Justin Fields can be just as dangerous with his arm. If/when the Bears draft Caleb Williams, they’ll have no need to keep developing Fields too. If they can get a Day 2 selection for their former first-round pick, that may be a better alternative, knowing they can just sign a veteran to help get Williams prepared for the pros. For the Broncos, adding a 25-year-old QB who may not have always received the proper training in Chicago may be a gamble Denver is willing to take.
Jake Browning
While he’s technically a restricted free agent, the Cincinnati Bengals hold exclusive negotiation rights with Jake Browning, and it’s really not even a negotiation. If Browning wants to play football in 2024, he has to sign the Bengals’ contract tender. This means he has zero leverage if he wants to try and land in a role that offers him a better chance to play. For the Bengals, there’s no need to trade their top backup, but if a strong offer comes along from a team like the Broncos, you never know what could happen with Browning.
While he’s set to turn 28, Browning showed he is capable of leading a high-powered offense at times with the Bengals. Can Sean Payton try and help Browning become more consistent if he has the confidence of being the full-time starter?
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft: Falcons find QB, Round 1 projections after NFL Combine
Zach Wilson might be most attainable for Denver Broncos
Likely on the way out from New York after failing to show he’s ready for a bigger role after Aaron Rodgers’ injury, it may just be time for a change of scenery for Zach Wilson. Despite being a former No. 2 overall pick, Wilson has never looked like a player capable of developing into a franchise QB. However, is it really that crazy to believe Coach Payton has this obsession with trying to see if he can do more with Wilson than former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett did this past season as the Jets’ offensive play-caller? It would be a heck of a storyline to continue this Broncos-Jets beef, and we’re here for it.
Related: New York Jets expected to trade Zach Wilson: 3 ideal landing spots
Sam Howell could fit, but is he available?
Sam Howell received more playing time in 2024 than all the other QBs on this list. He may also be one of the most unknown commodities. Last offseason, the Washington Commanders were eager to name Sam Howell their starting quarterback. Now that they have the second overall pick, his days as a starter in Washington have come to an end.
Howell’s brief time in Washington has been very mixed. Sure, he led the NFL with 21 interceptions, but he also played behind a woeful Commanders offensive line that had him on pace to set a new record for being sacked more than any other player in NFL history. How much of that is on Howell, and how much is on the Commanders? A
gain, Coach Payton may be eager to find out how much better the 23-year-old can get, but being that he’s on a very affordable contract as a former fifth-round pick, the Commanders could set a high price for any potential Howell trade.
