Broncos QB choices after Bo Nix harm: Six wild prospects

The Denver Broncos are headed to the AFC Championship sport for the primary time in 10 years after beating the Payments on Saturday, however proper now, they don’t seem to be precisely celebrating and that is as a result of they do not actually have a quarterback. Following Denver’s 33-30 victory over the Payments on Saturday, Sean Payton introduced that Bo Nix can be out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a bone in his ankle. 

With Nix out, the Broncos can be turning the beginning QB job over to Jarrett Stidham, however Payton cannot be feeling very comfy about that, particularly when you think about that Stidham hasn’t thrown a regular-season cross in two years! For those who’re scoring at house, Stidham’s final NFL cross got here on Jan. 7, 2024, which suggests he’ll have gone 749 days with out throwing an NFL cross by the point the AFC title sport rolls round. Sam Ehlinger is the one different quarterback on the Broncos’ roster, in order issues at present stand now, he can be Stidham’s backup. Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick of Texas in 2021, is 0-3 in three profession begins; Stidham is 1-3 in 4 profession begins. 

The Broncos are in a determined scenario and determined groups do determined issues. Earlier this yr, we noticed the Colts signal 44-year-old Philip Rivers in hopes of saving their season after Daniel Jones went down with an harm. The Broncos may go an identical route and it might really make some sense for them to try this. Not like the Colts’ scenario, the Broncos do not want a QB who can play half the season, they simply want a man who’s prepared to make a three-week dedication — on the most.

The brand new QB would solely must follow one week and play in a single sport (the AFC title sport) and if Denver one way or the other gained that, then the QB would have two extra weeks of follow and yet another sport (Tremendous Bowl LX). For those who actually give it some thought, it is an attractive provide that might doubtlessly give a retired quarterback a critical shot at a Lombardi Trophy. 

With that in thoughts, let’s check out a number of wild choices (Gamers are listed based mostly on after they threw their final NFL cross). 

Ryan Tannehill 

Age: 37
Final NFL cross: 2023 season

As loopy because it sounds, this would possibly really be Denver’s most intriguing choice. Tannehill hasn’t thrown a regular-season cross since Week 18 of the 2023 season, which appears like a very long time in the past, however his final cross really got here on the identical day that Stidham threw his final regular-season cross. One of the best half for the Broncos is that Tannehill does have some playoff expertise: He led the Titans to the AFC title sport in 2019 after which one yr later, he helped lead Tennessee to the No. 1 total seed within the AFC. 

Tannehill was coached in Tennessee by Mike Vrabel, who would possibly find yourself being Denver’s opponent this yr if his Patriots can beat the Texans on Sunday. Tannehill additionally has some mobility, which is one thing Payton would most likely choose to have. 

Again in November, Tannehill mentioned he most likely would not be returning to the NFL, however it’s definitely potential that he would change his thoughts if the Broncos known as. 

“I believe that chapter is closed,” Tannehill mentioned when requested if his profession was over, through The Escapist. “I believe final yr, that was the place I used to be at, if the fitting alternative got here up and was proper for our household. Staying in form and staying prepared. I had loads of calls, however nothing ever felt like the fitting alternative that I used to be on the lookout for. That was final NFL season. At this level, I believe that ship has sailed for me.”

Matt Ryan

Age: 40
Final NFL cross: 2022 season

Ryan simply received a brand new job final week because the Falcons’ new president of soccer, so it is unlikely that he would wish to step away so quickly, however this might give him an opportunity to lastly win that elusive Lombardi Trophy, which is likely to be sufficient to woo him away for per week or two. Keep in mind, that is only a one week dedication, and should you occur to win the AFC title sport, then it turns right into a three-week dedication. 

Ryan has been a part of among the most painful postseason losses in NFL historical past. Again in 2012, his Falcons blew a 17-0 result in the 49ers within the NFC title sport. In 2016, he lastly received to the Tremendous Bowl solely to observe his crew blow a 28-3 result in the Patriots. The Broncos may find yourself going through the Patriots within the AFC title sport, and if that occurs, possibly Payton is ready to promote Ryan on a potential return to get some revenge. 

Throughout his introductory press convention at his new job, Ryan really joked about making a potential comeback. 

“I am not attempting to name performs. I am not attempting to run your offense. I am not attempting to tug a Philip Rivers and are available again and play,” Ryan mentioned. 

However what if there’s an opportunity to win a Tremendous Bowl? 

Cam Newton

Age: 36
Final NFL cross: 2021 season

Newton hasn’t performed since 2021, however he is nonetheless solely 36 years previous and the attention-grabbing half is that he hasn’t formally retired. After the Colts signed Rivers in December, Newton was requested on his podcast if he’d ever be prepared to return to the NFL after 4 years out of the league. 

“I am open for enterprise, however I wish to be [with] who really need me,” Newton mentioned.

Mainly, Newton can be very happy to reply the telephone if Payton calls. Newton, who was the No. 1 total choose within the 2011 NFL Draft, spent 10 of his 11 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Newton additionally began 16 video games towards Payton’s Saints, so the Broncos coach is definitely conversant in his work. 

Newton was voted MVP in 2015, a season the place he ended up main the 15-1 Panthers to the Tremendous Bowl. And in a loopy twist, the Panthers performed the Broncos within the Tremendous Bowl that yr in a sport that was performed at Levi’s Stadium. Newton may doubtlessly return with the Broncos to play a Tremendous Bowl in the identical stadium 10 years later. 

Drew Brees

Age: 47
Final NFL cross: 2020 season

if there’s one identify that Payton would possibly toss round this week, it is Brees. The Broncos head coach spent 15 seasons in New Orleans with Brees as his quarterback, a time span that included three convention title sport appearances and a Tremendous Bowl win in 2009. 

The one downside with calling Brees is that, apparently, his proper arm is not working anymore. 

“Actually, man, if my proper arm was nonetheless working, I most likely would’ve performed one other three years,” Brees mentioned again in Could 2024. “My physique feels nice. My physique can play. My proper arm cannot. Sadly that is what sort of compelled me to step away. And it was time too.”

Brees’ proper arm positively could not deal with the pains of a whole NFL season, however may it work for 3 weeks and even only one sport? At age 47, Brees may not have an interest, however it is likely to be value it for Payton to make a name simply to examine in on his former quarterback. 

Andrew Luck

Age: 36
Final NFL cross: 2018

The previous Colts quarterback shocked the NFL when he determined to retire again in August 2019, and proper now, he would not appear too involved in a comeback. Earlier than signing Rivers in December, the Colts did not name Luck, but when they might have, he knew what his reply was going to be. 

“No, thanks. I am proper the place I am presupposed to be,” Luck advised Jim Rome in December. 

Luck is at present the final supervisor of Stanford soccer, and though he may not be involved in returning, Sean Payton may do his greatest to persuade him that that is basically a one-game deal. Whenever you’ve been retired for almost eight years, you doubtless do not wish to take the beating that comes with enjoying an NFL season (or perhaps a half season), however this is only one sport, and presumably two, if the Broncos had been to win the AFC title sport. 

Additionally, let’s not overlook, probably the most well-known QB in Broncos’ historical past (John Elway) went to Stanford. The present CEO and co-owner of the Broncos (Greg Penner) additionally has a Stanford diploma. These two may name up Luck and attempt to make him a suggestion that he could not refuse, you already know, like possibly writing an enormous examine to the Stanford athletic division. 

Colin Kaepernick

Age: 38
Final NFL cross: 2016

The one cause Kaepernick is on this listing is as a result of he is the one of many uncommon older guys who really needs to return. As lately as August 2024, Kaepernick mentioned he was staying in form in hopes of getting a name from an NFL crew. 

“We’re nonetheless coaching, we’re nonetheless pushing, we simply gotta get certainly one of these crew house owners to open up,” Kaepernick advised SkyNews on the time. “I may deliver so much to a crew and assist them win a championship.”

One factor Kaepernick would deliver to the desk is large sport expertise. Throughout his six-year profession with the 49ers, he led them to 2 NFC title video games and one Tremendous Bowl. Kaepernick at present holds the NFL file for many dashing yards by a QB in a playoff sport with 181. At 38, he is doubtless misplaced a step or two, however determined occasions name for determined measures. 

Free agent quarterbacks: Taylor Heinicke, Jake Fromm, C.J. Beathard. If Payton was involved in certainly one of these guys, he may have known as them through the season. 

Two quarterbacks who aren’t an choice: Tom Brady and Derek Carr. For those who personal a part of an NFL crew, you are not allowed to swimsuit up for a crew, which eliminates Brady, who formally turned a minority proprietor within the Raiders again in October 2024. As for Carr, he is nonetheless underneath contract with the Saints, so the Broncos must commerce for him, however because the commerce deadline has already previous, that would not be potential.