Best QB options for the Broncos
By: Jake Rajala
Every Denver Broncos fan wants to pretend the recent news of Bo Nix suffering a broken ankle is a bad dream. Broncos fans were having delusions of Nix thriving and acting like John Elway by doing a “helicopter” in the Super Bowl.
They are still not out of it with Nix out of the playoffs. After all, the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 by a score of 24-10, with Peyton Manning replacing Brock Osweiler. Peyton was as washed up as Mike Tyson was in his fight against Jake Paul. Their secret ingredient was: defense. The 2025 Broncos also have a defense similar to their Super Bowling winning defense, as nobody has more sacks than Denver this season.
With that said, they have to decide which QB can do enough to help them win it all. So, I’m going to lay out the five best QB options for them.
1. Derek Carr
I know it’s “popular” to peg a Pro Bowl QB to come off the couch and win a Super Bowl. We also have to be realistic and realize they don’t have the same knowledge as the current Broncos QBs. Nonetheless, I’d love to see Derek Carr still sign with the Broncos. He has more talent than most QB2s, and he is less washed up than Philip Rivers or Big Ben (as he’s 34). He is 14-13 over his past two seasons.
2. Jarrett Stidham
At some point, it matters to know the ins and outs of the Sean Payton system. Jarrett Stidham sure does. He has been on the Broncos over the past two seasons with Payton. He was taken as a fourth draft pick by Bill Belichick and the Pats in 2019 because he’s wise above his years and an accurate thrower on the run. We’ve witnessed previous backup QBs for Sean Payton excel. We saw former Saints backup QB Teddy Bridgewater go 5-0 after filling in for Drew Brees in 2019.
3. Taylor Heinicke
Taylor Heinicke once almost beat Tom Brady and the Bucs in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the lights were too big for him. Heinicke is the poor man’s version of Bo Nix. Taylor can make plays with his legs and he has consistent accuracy in the short passing game.
4. Matt Ryan
If Rivers can come out of retirement, it wouldn’t be fair to say it’s impossible that other veteran QBs wouldn’t do the same. The temptation of winning another Super Bowl for veteran QBs is real. Matty Ice is four years younger than Rivers. Ryan also doesn’t have a Super Bowl in his closet.
5. Nick Foles
Nick Foles is one of the best QB2s of all time. He defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Perhaps he can beat the Pats in the AFC Championship! Foles has superb arm strength and experience. He also stands out in the play-action game, which is important in Denver.
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