The Denver Broncos will need a quarterback.
Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos are almost certainly parting ways. The Pittsburgh Steelers remain the -110 favourite to land Wilson at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Baker Mayfield is one of several potential solutions to Denver’s never-ending quarterback carousel. Of course, there is one major caveat: Mayfield will enter NFL free agency. Mayfield is likely to stay in Tampa after leading the Buccaneers to the NFL playoffs.
However, if that does not happen and Mayfield enters the open market, Sean Payton and the Broncos should be interested.
The 2023 season was probably Mayfield’s greatest in the NFL. He set career highs for yards (4,044), touchdowns (28), contests (364), and completion percentage (64.3 percent). All while being sacked 40 times.
Player Profile.
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 215 pounds.
Age: 28
Experience: six seasons.
Why does it make sense?
As previously said, Denver needs a quarterback. And Mayfield may be the guy to fill in for a couple of seasons and get them to the playoffs.
He’d also be an excellent fit for Payton’s offence. Mayfield isn’t hesitant to target any level of the field, particularly the centre.
Given that he was sacked 40 times last season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield would benefit from a more capable offensive line in Denver to protect him and give him time.
There’s also the benefit of Payton’s coaching and mentoring to Mayfield. Payton would be the best head coach and offensive mind Mayfield could work with during his career.
Then you add in the degree of competition that both Payton and Mayfield possess, which would be entertaining to watch. They would bring out the best in each other based on their degree of motivation on the practice field, in the locker room, and on game days.
Why does it not make sense?
While Mayfield’s signing might halt the Broncos’ QB carousel, it does not fix the problem.
Mayfield would be the AFC West’s third-best quarterback, after only the (throws up in mouth) two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. That does not even include the other top-tier AFC clubs with elite quarterbacks.
And that’s assuming Mayfield even enters free agency, which is unlikely. After all, Mayfield and Tampa Bay just won the NFC South and advanced to the playoffs.
Even if Mayfield becomes available in free agency, the Broncos are unlikely to pursue him. After all, moving on from Wilson will result in a significant financial cost, and Mayfield will expect a large salary if he leaves the Buccaneers.
Final thoughts.
Payton, George Paton, and Denver will need to solve the quarterback situation this offseason. Wilson has announced his departure from the Broncos and is accepting offers on his Cherry Hills property.
And, while Mayfield may succeed in Payton’s system and under his coaching, I don’t see him entering free agency.
The next Denver Broncos quarterback will be either a different free agent or an NFL Draft pick.
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