Last week, we published a list of potential quarterback paths the Denver Broncos could take in 2024 and all of them included Jarrett Stidham.
Today, we’re going to take a quick look at QB paths for the Broncos without Stidham on the team. Denver seems likely to move on from Russell Wilson this offseason, but Stidham’s status with the club is harder to gauge.
It’s possible that the Broncos could go into 2024 with Stidham on the roster either as a starter or competing for the starting job. It’s also possible that Denver could part ways with both Wilson and Stidham this spring.
Stidham is set to have a salary cap hit of $7 million in 2024. If the Broncos release the quarterback, the team would create a $2 million “dead money” cap hit with a net savings of $5 million in salary cap space.
With Denver in desperate need of more cap space, the possibility of Stidham being cut can’t be ruled out. Here are five hypothetical QB scenarios the Broncos could consider this spring without Stidham on the team.
5
Cut Stidham, trade for a veteran QB
This does not seem like a probable scenario, but the Broncos could trade for a veteran this offseason such as Justin Fields, Kyler Murray or Jimmy Garoppolo. Denver has limited draft capital, so a trade is listed at the bottom of our list. If the Las Vegas Raiders release Jimmy G, the Broncos would likely show interest him in as a free agent.
4
Cut Stidham, sign a vet replacement
There will be several notable quarterbacks hitting the free agent market this spring. The Broncos can’t afford a big-name QBs like Kirk Cousins, but a bargain veteran like Jameis Winston could end up being cheaper than Stidham, and he went 5-2 as a starter under Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints. Winston had a cap hit just north of $4.5 million last year. Denver could sign him to a similar contract and end up saving cap space after moving on from Stidham. In either of these first two scenarios, the Broncos could draft a QB to develop or kick the can down the road in the draft.
3
Cut Stidham, draft a top QB prospect
This would probably be the most exciting option for many Broncos fans, but Denver would have to give up a lot of picks — and probably some players — to make it happen. If Denver is going to land one of the top three QBs in the NFL draft — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels — the Broncos would have to trade up from their No. 12 overall draft slot. If Payton and Co. are convinced one of those QBs is the guy, trading up in the draft might be Denver’s best option this spring.
2
Cut Stidham, sign a vet, draft QB in Round 1
The Broncos could sign a bargain free agent — be it Winston, Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor or somebody else — and then use their 12th overall pick to select a QB outside of the top-three candidates. At least one of Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. or J.J. McCarthy should be available when Denver goes on the clock in the first round, and the Broncos could pair one of them with a veteran mentor in 2024.
1
Cut Stidham, sign a vet, draft QB later
It seems likely that Denver will have a veteran QB on the roster in 2024, either Stidham or another QB brought in via free agency or trade. The Broncos would be wise to also draft a developmental QB this spring, but they don’t have to do so in the first round. Denver could land one of Michael Pratt, Spencer Rattler, Joe Milton III or several other QB prospects well outside of the first round, allowing the team address other positions of need at No. 12 (or trade down and acquire more picks). Pairing Winston with Pratt, for example, could give Payton a short-term fix in 2024 while also providing the possibility of Pratt developing into the team’s QB of the future. Such a scenario might be the best potential QB path for the Broncos this spring.
The new league year — and free agency — will officially begin on March 13. The NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.
