Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat reporter: What’s up, y’all? Been quite a week for the football club, eh? Russell Wilson informed of his eventual release Monday. Justin Simmons released Thursday. It’s going to be a different-looking team in 2024, that’s for sure. The big question, of course, is the quarterback position. What are the Broncos going to do? So here’s the question I pose to you keen observers: What should they do? I go back and forth on this, but recently I’ve surprised myself with the answer I keep coming back to: Given the team picks No. 12 in the draft and the cost of moving up will be high, I think I’d rather spend money in the middle market of quarterback free agency, trade back from No. 12 and build the roster that way. If the right quarterback falls to No. 12, OK. But otherwise I’m awfully tempted to structure a deal for Baker Mayfield in a way that keeps the cap numbers manageable for two years and lets me look for the decade-long answer at that position while I’ve already got average to above average play there. Not wild about entering the draft with a QB-or-bust mentality in the first round. That’s desperation. Please talk me into actually wanting to draft the solution rather than buying it.
Troy Renck, columnist: The Broncos refuse to use the “R” word. It’s semantics. They are rebuilding. This reframes expectations and provides Siri Maps directions for each decision moving forward. They should draft a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy if he is available at 11 or 12. They cannot afford to keep sacrificing draft picks, but moving up one spot would be reasonable. Otherwise, trade back, take an edge rusher in the 20s and an offensive tackle in the second round with an acquired pick. The Broncos will sign or trade for a bridge veteran — think Sam Howell, Mac Jones, Sam Darnold — to compete with Jarrett Stidham. Winner of the competition makes the team, loser gets cut if they have selected a quarterback. Parker, I can convince you to draft the solution — in 2025 when Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck are available and Denver is better positioned in striking distance to take one without compromising more assets for the rebuild.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been kidnapped by aliens yet. Travis Kelce is in love. Jim Harbaugh just entered the chat, and he’s got Justin Herbert. Has there ever been a better time in recent history to tear this bad boy down to the studs, push the button for a semi-hard reset, and start over? (I mean, other than 2017? Or 2018?) I’m with you in that a roster with this many holes probably can’t afford to surrender what little draft capital it has on a roll of the dice to move into the top five or top six. On the other hand, if Sunshine Sean convinces me “his guy” (McCarthy? Really?) is still on the board at 12, or even 11, roll them bones. If “my guy” (McCarthy? I mean, really? Seriously?) is gone, though, it’s “bridge” time. Look to trade down for more picks, more young, cost-controlled talent — although good luck, as every dang GM wants young, cost-controlled talent. I draft a QB with upside by Round 4, pair him with an affordable free-agent veteran who can run my system, have ’em duke it out, let whatever happens happen and keep myself within shouting distance of drafting a “franchise” QB1 in ’25 or ’26. Because you are gonna need one. Upside of living in The Mahomes Era? Payton and the Broncos have time to find that perfect guy. Downside? All those years to come of watching John Elway hand Lamar Hunt Jr. more Lombardis.
Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat reporter: Even if the Broncos are afraid to admit it, a rebuild is here. And it’s going to take at least two seasons to get things rolling. Denver is not in a position to trade into the top five with the hope of landing the top quarterbacks in the draft. I could see Denver taking McCarthy at 12 if he falls that far. But it seems like he could be taken inside the top 10, and if that’s the case, the Broncos still should not trade up. I think the best path forward is to trade back from No. 12 and add more draft capital. Yes, they need a quarterback but they also need an edge rusher, defensive tackle, tight end and cornerback. There’s a chance Bo Nix will still be available if Denver moved down a few spots. Or if the Broncos were able to get a second-round pick, they could target Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. Whether the Broncos take a quarterback in the first round or not, they should sign a veteran quarterback. While I like the idea of trying to get Mayfield, it’s hard for me to see him leaving Tampa Bay, especially after the Buccaneers re-signed Mike Evans. It doesn’t sound pretty, but Darnold and Gardner Minshew seem like possible free-agent options who can compete with Stidham during training camp. It also wouldn’t hurt if Denver explored the possibility of trading for Chicago’s Justin Fields or New England’s Mac Jones.
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