The Los Angeles Chargers’ toughest challenge in the AFC West is the Kansas City Chiefs, the two-time Super Bowl champions. It goes without saying that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs must lead the way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.
Kansas City is not the only team in the division, and the Chargers will gain if the Raiders and Broncos struggle. As of right now, the Chargers appear to have an advantage over both teams because neither has a real starting quarterback. The Raiders signed Tom Telesco, so we know he’ll make a horrible move, while the Broncos passed up the opportunity to sign someone like Justin Fields despite not having a top pick in the draft.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Broncos head coach Sean Payton is confident in his ability to locate or nurture a quarterback capable of leading Denver to success. Who that quarterback will be remains to be seen, and the Broncos are not looking for the finest possibilities after parting ways with Russell Wilson.
According to Mike Klis of 9News (Denver’s NBC station), the Broncos attempted to sign two subpar quarterbacks but were unsuccessful both times. What about the quarterbacks? Sam Darnold and Sam Howell.
“Sources tell 9NEWS the Broncos were interested in free agent Sam Darnold and were involved in the trade for Washington quarterback Sam Howell.” But the price became high for both, and Darnold ended up signing with Minnesota for a $10 million, one-year deal, while Howell was traded to Seattle in a double swap of draft picks that resulted in late-third-round value.
The Broncos’ failed attempts to sign poor quarterbacks are comedy gold for Chargers fans.
It’s difficult to say which is funnier: the Broncos’ failure to sign two separate starting quarterbacks who are both outside of the top 30 at their positions, or the reality that these are the quarterbacks Denver has turned to as starting alternatives.
Sam Darnold was a backup for the San Francisco 49ers last season and has never had a particularly strong stretch of games in his career. If he did not have first-round draft picks, he would most likely not have the opportunities he has in 2024.
Howell started for the Washington Commanders last season, and while his athleticism is intriguing, he is a turnover maker who does not win games. Sure, he may be a backup, but he should not start for a club that wants to be successful.
Neither of these individuals shouts “veteran who should start ahead of a rookie”. At the very least, the Raiders brought in Gardner Minshew to battle with a rookie who is expected to be taken high in the 2024 NFL Draft. Minshew has the pedigree to be the veteran safety net who can fill in if the youngster isn’t ready. Darnold and Howell aren’t talented enough for that.
Going after these two also appears to signal that the Broncos understand they will not receive anything remarkable in the 2024 NFL Draft. With the 12th overall pick, the Broncos may select the fifth, sixth, or even seventh best quarterback in the draft.
Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler, and Michael Penix Jr. are not necessarily names that Chargers fans should be concerned about. The Broncos are going to downgrade at quarterback after losing Russell Wilson.
One year ago, Chargers supporters were furious when the Broncos hired Payton following a year of speculation linking him to the Bolts. The Chargers now have an even better head coach for whom they did not have to spend a draft pick, as well as a franchise quarterback.
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