Sean Payton's 'Dear Friend' Shares Bold Broncos Draft Theory

Is this what Sean Payton has planned for the Denver Broncos?

Mar 25, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks to media during the NFL / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

When Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset following Super Bowl 50, Denver Broncos fans had no idea that almost a decade later the team would still be searching for his heir apparent. A grand total of 13 different quarterbacks have started for the Broncos amid the franchise’s seven consecutive losing seasons.

Denver's current QB room consists of Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, suggesting that the Broncos are all-in on drafting a signal-caller, especially after releasing Russell Wilson to the tune of $85 million in dead-cap money the team will carry over the next two seasons. 

Head coach Sean Payton currently holds the No.12 overall pick in this year's draft. The fiery and bold play caller could have an opportunity to handpick his favorite QB in the first round, even if that comes via an expensive trade up. 

Peter Schrager from Fox Sports and NFL Network echoed our suspicions that Payton will maneuver in the draft when he revealed which QB-needy teams are likely to trade up in round one.  

“I think Denver’s a team to watch,” explained Schrager during his Thursday appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. “I’ve told this story before, but I’ll just bring you in on it, Sean Payton and I worked together on that Fox NFL Kickoff Show and he became a dear friend, he’s fantastic. One of the stories he’s told me multiple times is that he had every intention of drafting Patrick Mahomes 11th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He wanted Mahomes, he even told [Drew] Brees ahead of time, we’re going to be doing this deal if Mahomes slips there. Andy Reid jumped right above him, one spot and he’s always wondered, what if. I don’t think Sean Payton wants to be caught with his hands tied again and say oh my gosh if I just had traded up and had just gotten our guy. So, I think that the Broncos are a team to watch if they can find the ammo.”

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Mahomes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No.10 overall pick in 2017 out of Texas Tech and has compiled a 12-1 record against the Broncos. The 28-year-old has since earned three Super Bowl championships, three Super Bowl MVPs, multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors and has etched his name into the NFL record books in various categories. 

Payton witnessed Mahomes’ magic last season, splitting two games with the defending champs as the Broncos finally snapped their 16-game losing streak to Kansas City last fall. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers hired head coach Jim Harbaugh to maximize Just Herbert’s potential as the Bolts look to rebuild their offensive starters with the No.5 overall pick in the draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders, with rookie head coach Antonio Pierce, are also a draft threat and have remained firmly in the QB conversation. The Silver and Black could reach for a QB at No. 13 overall — just one pick back from the Broncos in the first round.

As NFL teams feverishly try to identify the next Tom Brady in the latter rounds of the draft, or even the next Mahomes, Payton can ill afford to let another first-rounder become the one that got away (again).  

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