Rumor Mill: Broncos Looking for a Veteran QB | 5 Available Options

The Denver Broncos have been linked to multiple free-agent quarterbacks this offseason and five intriguing options remain available.

The Denver Broncos have yet to add a quarterback to their stable since free agency began, but that could change. Jarrett Stidham is penciled in as the Broncos' starter, but Sean Payton may be looking to upgrade the position.

Denver was reportedly interested in Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, but the signal-callers ended up in Atlanta and Minnesota, respectively. However, there are a few QB options that could make sense for the Broncos in 2024, whether as a placeholder for an incoming rookie or as a reclamation project. 

Let’s dive in. 

Ryan Tannehill

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

If the Broncos want a solid veteran to take the reigns while a young rookie sits for a year, Tannehill may be the solution. During his 4.5 seasons in Tennessee, he passed for 14,447 yards and 93 touchdowns, completing 66.6% of his throws, and rushing for 893 yards with 21 additional scores. 

Payton has proved he can squeeze production out of whoever is under center. Tannehill is a solid passer and underrated runner, which makes him dangerous in the red zone. 

Payton could do much worse for a veteran bridge quarterback and wouldn’t have to commit long-term. Tannehill’s fit largely depends on whether he's comfortable being a bridge quarterback and not the long-term answer in Dove Valley.

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Carson Wentz

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Going from the draft darling label and an NFL MVP candidate to carrying an 'unfit to lead' reputation, Wentz has been a backup level quarterback of late. But he's had a fascinating career. 

Wentz may not be the man who carried the Philadelphia Eagles to a World Championship, but he still has football left in the tank. After five years in Philly, he has since had one-year stints in Washington, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles. 

Wentz's best season outside of Philly was with the Colts in 2021 under then-head coach Frank Reich. As a bright offensive-minded coach, Payton could elevate Wentz back to his 2021 form.

Justin Fields

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Didn’t Payton just move on from a mobile quarterback with trouble processing and working the middle of the field? Yes, but Fields could offer more than the 35-year-old Russell Wilson, who is trending down.

Fields is a decade younger than Wilson, so he's significantly more dangerous as a runner. Payton has been creative with quarterbacks, using guys from Taysom Hill to Teddy Bridgewater. 

Fields' trade market is reportedly drying up, and other young signal-callers like Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell have been traded before him. Denver would be remiss not to make a call to Chicago to check the temperature.

UPDATE

Fields is off the board. Chicago has traded him to Pittsburgh. 

🚨 🚨 🚨

The #Bears are trading QB Justin Fields to the #Steelers, sources say. A new QB into the competition. pic.twitter.com/hGQpbVwoRA

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2024

Joshua Dobbs

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The 'Passtronaut' was on fire for most of the 2023 season with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. He finished the season with 2,464 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with 421 rushing yards and six additional scores. 

After Week 14, however, Dobbs' play dropped off, and he was benched for the rest of the season. He found a spark last year, though, and Payton may be able to light that fire again in Denver. 

Zach Wilson

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Now, we’ve come to the least sexy option: Zach Wilson.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft had flashes here and there with the New York Jets but was inevitably benched due to inconsistent play. Having Nathaniel Hackett calling the plays certainly didn't help, nor did the Jets' history as a dysfunctional organization. 

Wilson may be too far gone as an NFL quarterback, and Payton likely won’t give him a look. The Broncos have limited options to upgrade their quarterback room, but these five veterans are probably the best they could get their hands on at this point in the offseason. 

Don’t be surprised if Payton adds to the quarterback room before the draft in late April. 

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