Broncos have been advised to sign a ‘legitimate stopgap’ quarterback for Sean Payton’s offense

admin | January 13, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Denver Broncos have been unable to find a quarterback since winning the Super Bowl in 2016.

Former Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley, who was with the team from 2013 to 2017, suggested a possible replacement for head coach Sean Payton in 2024.

Whaley stated on “The Fan Morning Show” on 93.7 The Fan on January 10 that the Broncos should be a top free agent destination for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.

“Consider this: Sean Payton does not require a mobile quarterback. That style of offense, timing, perfect accuracy, plus the occasional calculated deep shot, kind of suits what he does. “With the way he’s playing right now, this guy [Rudolph] will be a legitimate stopgap,” Whaley said.

Rudolph was taken by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. The veteran quarterback has spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers.

According to Spotrac, Rudolph agreed to a one-year, $1.08 million contract extension in Pittsburgh in May 2023. He will be a free agent when the Steelers’ season ends.

Rudolph will make his first career postseason start on January 15 against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.

Mason Rudolph Guided the Steelers Into a Surprising Playoff Bid

The Steelers earned the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs, and Rudolph was instrumental in getting them there.

Pittsburgh was 7-7 and needed Rudolph to provide a spark in the final three games. Rudolph went 3-0 in three games, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens.

During that time, the Oklahoma State product tossed three touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Surprisingly, each of his touchdowns went over more than 60 yards, tying Tua Tagovailoa for the most in the NFL this season.

Rudolph had one of his best outings of his career in a Week 16 triumph over the Bengals. He finished with a 124.0 passer rating after completing 17-of-27 throws for 290 yards and two touchdowns.

During his six-year career, Rudolph is 8-4-1 in 13 starts. If Payton and the Broncos show interest, the team will receive an experienced veteran with a lot of upside.

Door Remains Open for Russell Wilson to Return in 2024

Part of determining the quarterback position in 2024 will be resolving the continuing Russell Wilson saga.

During a press conference on January 9, Payton hinted to local reporters that Wilson’s return was still possible.

“We’ll look at all the scenarios and try to do what’s best for the Broncos, but communication will be important and that final decision has not been made,” Payton said in a statement.

Wilson was benched for backup Jarrett Stidham after the team’s Christmas Eve 26-23 loss to the AFC’s worst team, the New England Patriots. As Denver clinched its seventh consecutive losing season, Stidham went 1-1 as a starter in the final two games.

Local journalists also pressed Wilson’s general manager, George Paton. Paton stated that his request to Wilson to amend the injury guarantees in his contract was “completely independent” of Payton’s “football decision” to bench Wilson.

Paton told reporters on January 9: “I’ll just keep the specifics private out of respect for really everyone involved.” “Negotiations are difficult. You have challenging conversations, unpleasant conversations, and you can basically define negotiations however you want. We always attempt to act properly and in the best interests of the Broncos, and this was no exception.”

If the Broncos opt to keep Wilson in 2024, only time will tell. For a team that has not made the playoffs since the 2015 season, all possibilities should be considered.