Mile High Monday: The Broncos were all-in on Matthew Stafford

Last week, I was in Mobile, Ala., for the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl. I’ve been making the trek for 15 years in one of the most important stops in my annual “All-Star road trip,” and it was good to be back watching football and scouting players.

I like watching the next crop of players coming into the NFL. Over the years, I’ve seen players bust, turn into stars and become household names who first started at one of these All-Star games. I wonder what the future holds for the 2021 class.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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They Wanted Stafford

The Broncos were in on Matthew Stafford. They wanted to upgrade the quarterback position with a seasoned veteran like Stafford, but in the end, the Rams beat their offer by a mile.

While it appears the Broncos will be moving on from Drew Lock, the Rams really wanted to get away from Jared Goff as their starter. That’s why they sent the Lions a 2021 third-round pick, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick and Goff in the blockbuster deal.

There was no way the Broncos were going to match that – and that’s not a bad thing. New general manager George Paton said that he would be involved in deals but that he was going to stay measured with what he did. While the Broncos made a strong push for Stafford, with reports circulating they were offering Lock, a 2021 first-round pick (No. 9 overall) and a 2021 third-round pick, they were clearly not going to overpay like the Rams did.

Paton has said this roster is a “sleeping giant” and it’s his job to take this team into the next chapter of the franchise. In order to wake up the talent on this roster, Paton cannot mortgage the future. The Rams are closer to a championship than the Broncos, and they have a head coach in Sean McVay who can build a juggernaut offense around Stafford. The Broncos not only have further to go in order to be in a championship conversation, but they also lack the coaches that could get them there in 2021.

Source confirms #Broncos were involved in Stafford talks but not close to deal. Price was roughly first and third and likely player (Drew Lock?). Was not fit for GM Paton wanting to build on draft and development. Paton said would be in trade talks, but would exercise discipline

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 31, 2021

So, without Stafford where will the Broncos turn next? Keep reading.

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Watson a Pipe Dream?

So, Stafford is off the board for the Broncos and that may turn their attention to Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The price tag for Watson is going to be much larger than what the Rams gave up for Stafford, but that’s because Watson is young and better as a quarterback prospect.

Watson has become disgruntled with what the Texans are doing at the top of their franchise. He was supposed to be involved with the team as they chose their new head coach, and the Texans basically ignored any suggestions that he had.

Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract and can pick and choose where he wants to go. So, what would it take to get him interested in the Broncos? They do have young playmakers on offense and a mostly strong offensive line in front of him. Those two factors could be a role in where Watson wants to play.

The most recent reports indicate that the Texans are going to hold onto Watson as long as they can as they try and repair the fractured relationship. Watson has already wiped his social networking of mentions of the Texans and there is buzz that he would just hold out for the entire 2021 season if the Texans do not trade him. If he is on the trade block, it might take until right before the draft to secure his services.

Unlike the deal for Stafford, this deal may have to take more time to come together.

Deshaun Watson to the #Broncos is a pipe dream. Unlikely to happen (and I'd love to be wrong here BTW, LOVE Watson). For those holding out hope George Paton could pull it off, then here's a blueprint of what it could potentially take. @1043TheFan https://t.co/RRPqeFu7y9

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 31, 2021

With the blueprint for a Watson trade out there, it makes you wonder if the Broncos are going to be players in this market.

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That’s a Wrap

This was an interesting year at the Senior Bowl, for multiple reasons, and the staff was able to pull off the week of practice without a hitch. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, the Senior Bowl had the task of testing players, coaching staffs and NFL personnel beforehand. Then during the week, they had the challenge of keeping everything on their end safe for all involved.

The NFL people were not intermingling with the media in attendance. The players were interviewed from a distance on the practice field and there were virtual interviews with players and coaches that you could be involved with. Instead of having film access very limited, the Senior Bowl decided to let all credentialed media have access to the coaches film and All-22 practice footage.

It was great to be there again, and under these new circumstances I thought the Senior Bowl did a fine job of making people feel safe throughout the process. With the Shrine Bowl and the Scouting Combine both cancelled, this was the only pre-draft event for the entire NFL community to get together for. It was incredibly important for all in attendance and you could feel a more serious nature around the event.

Fantastic job by @JimNagy_SB and the @seniorbowl – I've been going for 15 years and the 2021 event was fantastic. Love the new stadium, loved the player selections and the access allowed for current times. Great job, and looking forward to 2022! #TheDraftStartsInMobile #NFLDraft

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 30, 2021

I can’t wait for next year and for things to get back to normal on the scouting tour. The Senior Bowl was able to put their game in a better stadium and have learned from this last week of practice. They’ll take those lessons and build on for 2021.

***

Awesome Tour

I’ve been going to the Senior Bowl for 15 years, but I’ve never taken a tour of the USS Alabama while I was there. I had been there at the aircraft pavilion for several media nights over the years, but I had never stepped foot on the old battleship. Since I had Monday to just pick up my credentials and then just enjoy the rest of the day, I decided to take a tour.

Before I set foot on the USS Alabama, I was able to climb aboard the USS Drum – and old submarine that is on site. The Drum is the oldest American submarine on public display, and it has been open since 1969 for the public view. It was amazing to be below deck on a submarine that could carry out missions underwater for up to 75 days. To see the way those sailors had to live and work while underwater was fascinating.

After that, I stepped upon the “Mighty A.” The USS Alabama was built in the early 1940s and was dubbed the “Heroine of the Pacific” for the three-year timeframe it was active in World War II. Home to 2,500 courageous Americans, I was truly humbled to be able to tour a place where so much history happened at such a key moment in our nation’s history. To be walking in the corridors where sailors from the greatest generation were was an awesome feeling.

I have always had nothing but respect for our nation’s military members. These brave men and women have fought and died throughout the years to keep us free and to give everyone the opportunity to pursue what makes them happy. Learning more about the history of some of our nation’s best was the most enjoyable part of my trip to Alabama.

My favorite part of this year's @seniorbowl was visiting USS Alabama. Had been there before for media night multiple times. Actually took the tour this year. Truly humbling experience pic.twitter.com/OE3l2OZ7za

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 30, 2021

Have you ever toured an old battleship like the USS Alabama? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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