Recent NFL headlines could have a big impact on Broncos offseason

The Denver Broncos are in the most-important offseason in recent history – perhaps even team history. They have hired a new head coach in Nathaniel Hackett, but that is just the first piece in a three-phase plan that will be put in place this offseason.

Up next, the Broncos must find a quarterback who can lead the franchise in 2022 and beyond. In addition, the team is for sale, and we should soon see billionaires bidding for the right to own an NFL franchise.

The news cycle in the NFL doesn’t take a break. Even though we’re gearing up for the Super Bowl on Sunday, teams other than the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams are maneuvering through the offseason. The recent NFL news this week could impact the Broncos offseason. Let’s catch up on the happenings around the NFL.

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Cousins Staying Put

There are some who feel the Broncos could make a run at Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins if they’re unable to trade the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers. It’s a foolish notion considering Cousins isn’t that great and carries a whopping $45 million salary in 2022 with $45 million in dead money. The Broncos need to aim higher than just getting a slightly better version of Case Keenum.

Cousins received a vote of confidence from Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, who will reportedly be named as the Vikings’ new head coach once the Rams’ season is over. O’Connell was reportedly high on Cousins during the interview process – a sentiment shared by “many coaches interviewing for the job” – according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. So, their new head coach has a plan for Cousins and the Vikings look to be keeping him in the final year of his contract.

We haven’t seen Cousins win many big games, and despite the heavy financial burden the Vikings have not become Super Bowl contenders with him as their starter. O’Connell may have a plan for Cousins, but he needs to have a plan when the team moves on from Cousins. No matter what happens with Rodgers, the Broncos should not make any plans to get Cousins. It’s past time for the Broncos to aim higher and go for a true franchise quarterback.

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Brady Comeback?

Arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, retired last week and will no doubt be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Less than a week later, Brady opened the door for a return on his podcast in a show that has obviously caused a stir around the NFL. After 22 years in the NFL, Brady wants to spend more time with his family, but he hasn’t closed the door completely on playing again.

Brady said he feels good about his decision to retire but did not rule out the possibility changing his mind and playing again. He went back-and-forth on the podcast but ultimately sounded like he’s content (for now) with his decision. “Again, I loved playing. I’m looking forward to doing things other than playing.” Brady said.

Some have suggested the Broncos go after Brady instead of Rodgers. Others have suggested that perhaps Brady is “retiring” to wiggle his way out of Tampa. He signed a one-year extension with the Buccaneers, and the plan was to play through 2022 and then see what he wanted to do. Something changed, perhaps with some influence from his wife, and now Brady is not going to play – we think.

If Brady did end up playing this season, he might choose a different team from the Broncos. Perhaps he’d finally end up with the San Francisco 49ers, the team he grew up rooting for and the team that passed on adding him a couple of years ago. While there’s a good chance Rodgers plays in Denver, it’s a much longer shot that Brady would end up with the Broncos.

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Giants Open to Trading Down

As I wrote in my Mile High Monday article this week, if the Broncos want a quarterback in this draft class like Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) or Malik Willis (Liberty), they may have to move up from their No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

There are four or five teams in front of the Broncos who could possibly take a quarterback. There are more teams behind them who could leapfrog the Broncos for a passer. One team in front of the Broncos who want to trade back is the New York Giants.

The Giants have two first-round picks, and two top-10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft because they have the Chicago Bears pick at No. 7 overall in addition to their own No. 5 pick. If the Broncos wanted to move up, then working with the Giants could be a plan. Did the Broncos fall in love with Pickett or Willis? If they did, then a trade partner has emerged already.

New Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he is open to trading back to acquire additional picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

“I would say where we are right now, as many at-bats as you can get, as many swings as you can get, I think that’s important where we are as a team,” Schoen said.

If the Broncos did move up, they’d have to get in front of the Carolina Panthers at No. 6 overall. The teams in the first four picks (Jaguars, Lions, Texans, Jets) may not take a quarterback, but if the Broncos moved to No. 5 overall by trading with the Giants, they’d likely insure themselves to get the best quarterback in this class.

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