We can make the excuse that it’s just the preseason and there’s no reason to overreact, but the quarterback play of the Denver Broncos this preseason has been absolutely terrible and there is no way around that fact.
Joe Flacco is the starter and as long as he stays healthy and performs well, there won’t be a problem.
Drew Lock is the backup and the team hopes that he is also the quarterback of the future, but he will start the season with an injured thumb and an undetermined timetable for returning to the field.
If Flacco goes down, the team will have to turn to Kevin Hogan or Brett Rypien and neither has shown that they should even be on the roster, let alone a backup.
Rypien will likely be waived and then re-signed to the practice squad if he goes unclaimed by other teams. If Rypien is added to the practice squad, the NFL’s 31 other teams would have the chance to snag him at a moment’s notice.
Hogan might be the backup until Lock returns but the Broncos will likely scour the quarterbacks released by other teams and there could be some attractive options, particularly if Lock is going to miss an extended amount of time or even placed on injured reserve.
Many teams in the league opt to keep just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. That will lead to many quarterbacks being released before the regular season starts, and there could definitely be some better options than Hogan.
1. C.J. Beathard
Beathard is likely going to be on the outside looking in at the quarterback competition with the San Francisco 49ers as Nick Mullens looks like the better option for that team. But if he is released by the team, his name will be connected to the Broncos almost immediately due to his familiarity with offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, who used to be the 49ers’ quarterback coach.
2. Cody Kessler
The Philadelphia Eagles currently have five quarterbacks on their roster. Carson Wentz is the starter and when Nate Sudfeld — the team’s regular backup — went down with an injury, the team signed veteran Josh McCown.
Kessler doesn’t have much of a shot to make the team and likely even sits behind rookie Clayton Thorson on the depth chart. But his experience could help another team.
Kessler has played in 17 games and made several starts during his career and in a pinch, he’s a guy a team could turn to.
3. Cardale Jones
It’s debatable as to whether or not Jones would be an upgrade over Hogan as he has struggled in his young career, but he certainly has a stronger arm and a bit more upside.
Jones will likely be cut loose by the Los Angeles Chargers who may opt to keep fifth-round pick Easton Stick on the roster behind Philip Rivers and Tyrod Taylor.
4. Taylor Heinicke
Just 26 years old, Heinicke is an exciting young quarterback who is the prototypical backup. He has made some starts in his career and can attack a defense with both his arm and his legs.
The Carolina Panthers have Cam Newton, rookie Will Grier and Kyle Allen so there’s a good chance Heinicke will be waived. He would be a better option than Hogan.
5. Brock Osweiler
The Broncos wouldn’t have to wait for Osweiler to be waived by a team because he’s not currently on one. They could sign him at any time.
And while many will scoff at that notion, it’s a scenario that is certainly in play.
With your backup quarterback, one of the main things you want is familiarity. Familiarity with a coach, an offense or a team. Osweiler is quite familiar with the organization and has even found a good level of success within it.
Could Osweiler get a third stint with the Broncos?
6. Kyle Sloter
Wouldn’t this be a story? The guy the Broncos should have never released in the first place comes back?
Sloter is with the Minnesota Vikings, who scooped him up after the Broncos waived him and before they could sign him to their practice squad. During the offseason, the Vikings signed former St. Louis Rams quarterback Sean Mannion to be the backup to Kirk Cousins and all indications are that the organization really likes him.
If Sloter is cut loose, the Broncos should do what they can to give him another shot. He would be a better option than Hogan or Rypien by a pretty good margin.
