The Broncos quarterback plans aren’t actually in their own hands
Mar 2, 2022, 6:41 AM
“It’s the most-important position in sports, so we’re always looking,” Broncos general manager George Paton said in Indianapolis at the NFL’s scouting combine on Tuesday. “No stone unturned to find that guy. We know we need better play out of the quarterback position, so we’re going to be aggressive.”
Paton was speaking, of course, of the Broncos’ nearly desperate situation at quarterback; a problem that the Broncos haven’t found the answer to since Peyton Manning retired following the 2015 season that ended with Denver hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as world champions. Paton wants to bring the Broncos back to glory, so he’s shooting for the stars — literally.
Back-to-back MVP winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers might be parting with the Green Bay Packers. So Paton, armed with 11 picks in April’s draft, will fight to the front of the line of suitors for the 38 year-old future Hall of Famer.
There’s just one problem with Paton’s plan, however. Even hiring Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator in new head coach Nathaniel Hackett doesn’t guarantee that Rodgers will want to leave the only team he’s ever played for; one that’s been the best regular-season team in the NFL over the past three seasons. Rodgers’ involvement in luring his favorite quarterbacks coach, Tom Clements, out of retirement, speaks volumes about his intentions. Paton’s plan A isn’t in his control — it’s in Rodgers’ hands.
Russell Wilson has had better seasons than his injury-riddled 2021 campaign, and the Seahawks’ last-place finish in the NFC West shows that Seattle has as much work to do as Denver. The occasional passive-aggressive spats with coach Pete Carroll and Wilson’s obvious desire to win has had the NFL world speculating about Wilson’s future with the Seahawks. Five years younger than Rodgers and already under contract, Wilson would probably cost even more in trade capital than Rodgers. But if Plan A doesn’t work out, it’s time to go to Plan B.
There are two problems with Paton’s plan in the Northwest. First, Wilson would have to demand a trade; something he hasn’t done, nor even indicated he would do, saying after the season that he wanted to play his entire career in Seattle. If it became absolutely necessary, the Seahawks would likely move on from Carroll rather than send Wilson packing. Second, Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract that requires him to approve a deal to all but a few stated teams. And reportedly, the Broncos aren’t one of them. Paton’s Plan B isn’t in his control — it’s in Wilson’s hands.
The Broncos can’t even think about obtaining Houston’s embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson while he’s still facing more than 20 lawsuits accusing him of sexual impropriety, so it’s time for the ‘Hail Mary,’ Plan C is Arizona’s Kyler Murray. Following a read-the-tea-leaves wipe of his social-media accounts, and a bizarre, rambling contract demand posted online by his agent, one can assume that Murray isn’t entirely happy with his situation. Only 25 and with a pair of Pro Bowl appearances under his belt, acquiring Murray would be a franchise-altering move; one certainly worth the extraordinary expense required to trade for him, and Paton should certainly be all-in should a potential deal emerge.
There’s a problem with Paton’s plan in the desert. Murray’s representation has made things clear — this is a play for a new contract, one probably along the lines of the $258 million, six-year deal that Buffalo’s Josh Allen received prior to the 2021 season. That contract followed Allen’s third, breakout season, and after finishing his third season, Murray wants a similar deal — and he’ll probably get it eventually.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury told The Arizona Republic that Murray’s posturing was “all part of the business,” but as things stand today, Murray has virtually no leverage. He could hold out, of course, but in the end, the Cardinals want to pay their start quarterback — they’re just planning to do it on their terms. Either way, the consensus around the league is that the Cardinals would be crazy to trade him while they hold all the cards. Paton’s Plan C isn’t in his control — it’s in Arizona GM Steve Keim’s hands.
It’s fair to question if counting on acquiring any of these quarterbacks counts as a plan at all, something that Paton should certainly know. Following a quietly effective first year as general manager, Paton’s insistence on being “aggressive” also depends entirely on things that are out of his control. Can he be opportunistic? Of course, but hoping to get lucky is a “plan” that so many empty-pocketed gamblers have learned about the hard way.
***
