Andrew Buller-Russ
Last year, when starting quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle in the playoffs, the Denver Broncos had no choice but to turn to top backup Jarrett Stidham for the most important start of his career. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way the Broncos hoped in the three-point loss, as Denver put up just seven points in a difficult atmosphere.
Interestingly enough, the Broncos haven’t really done anything to address their QB depth since. They still have the same exact QB room, led by Nix, Stidham, and then 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger. Some believe the Broncos should still search for a potential upgrade.
Recently, ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested that the Broncos are a “team to watch” in a potential trade for Spencer Rattler from the New Orleans Saints.
“If Rattler’s the odd man out, he should generate interest. His 14 NFL starts haven’t been great (the Saints lost 13 of them), but they do constitute the kind of experience teams prize when looking for backup/developmental QBs. Rattler is also 25, so he could still have a career ahead of him as an NFL quarterback somewhere other than New Orleans. Broncos coach Sean Payton still has strong ties to the Saints, and that could be a team to watch if there’s any change to its backup QB plans.”
Rattler was once looked upon as a top QB prospect. But after a rough final season at South Carolina, his draft stock began to slip. Rattler wasn’t selected until the 150th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and after Tyler Shough‘s arrival as a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Rattler doesn’t have a future in New Orleans as a starter either. As a result, landing as the top backup on a playoff team could be exactly the right change of atmosphere Rattler needs in his career.
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