George Paton is high on young Broncos backup QB

Sam Ehlinger could be on an NFL roster somewhere around the league, but he’s not, and that’s because he wants to be a Denver Bronco almost as bad as the team’s brass wants him.

The 26-year-old quarterback from Texas rejoined the Broncos via the practice squad this week after not surviving the roster cut to 53 men. It has been reported and confirmed by Denver’s general manager, George Paton, that the 2021 sixth-round pick could have chosen to be on another team’s roster, yet he remains in Denver.

“I know he had an opportunity out there. I’m not exactly sure what. It was a priority for us to keep Sam either on the 53… or we consider him a 53-man player,” the executive said via Zoom on Thursday.

Ehlinger played in eight NFL games for the Colts, who drafted him, getting three starts. He was solid, throwing for 573 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in three losses. But the former leader in the Big 12 for passing touchdowns hasn’t really found the situation that is right for him — maybe until now.

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This preseason, Ehlinger played in all three games, completing 42 of his 57 passes for 415 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. On top of that, the former Longhorn has had some excellent days in camp.

“Sam has been outstanding since he showed up, always been high on Sam at Texas,” Paton said. “And then you watch him with the Colts, he didn’t play a whole lot there, but watch the preseason, and then when you got him here, he was better than I anticipated, and always been a good athlete. I thought he was always efficient. I didn’t realize he had the arm strength. And I think he’s developed that arm strength over the last couple of years, and he played really well. We’re glad he’s here. We know teams are after him, and we plan on keeping them here.”

It’s a strong statement from Paton about a third-string quarterback who is not even on the real roster. Ehlinger is behind young franchise leader Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, but there’s a path for the Texas slinger to thrive. Sean Payton has redeveloped many quarterbacks who failed at a stop in the past. Just last year, he took former first-rounder Zach Wilson and likely saved his career by giving him a year in Colorado. Now Wilson is a high-profile second-stringer for the Miami Dolphins.

In staying in Denver, Ehlinger is betting on the Broncos just as much as they’re betting on him. It’s a smart play for a quarterback who sees a real chance to get better long-term over a short-term shot. And heck, maybe one day the Broncos need Ehlinger to step in. If so, the team would seemingly be relatively comfortable if he were to take snaps — in the NFL, it’s rare to have three players you can say that about.

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