Clayton: The quarterback well is starting to run dry for the Broncos

The Broncos search for a quarterback to challenge Drew Lock took another step back Monday. Alex Smith announced his retirement after 16 years.

Smith would have been an interesting option for the Broncos. He lost out the chance to go to Jacksonville because they signed C.J. Beathard as the backup. Plus, the Jaguars are going to draft Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence; Smith’s chance to start might have been better in Denver than Jacksonville.

Time is running out for the Broncos to get the veteran challenger for Lock. They could call Jacksonville to see about Gardner Minshew. Teddy Bridgewater remains an option if the Carolina Panthers would trade him cheap and pick up a good portion of his $10 million base guarantee.

But the draft is a week from Thursday. If the Broncos can’t get that veteran backup, they will have to look at one of the five quarterback expected to go in the first round. If Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones go in the first three picks, they Broncos will have to see if Justin Fields or Trey Lance fall to them at No. 9.

Timing is everything. Monday was Lance’s second workout day. Broncos general manager George Paton didn’t attend, but he’s seen Lance before, so don’t read much into that.

The Broncos know they can get good trade value if Fields or Lance fall to No. 9. New England, Washington and Chicago will be on the phones trying to make a deal.

What also has to be sorted out is what can be done with OTAs scheduled to start Monday. Last week, the Broncos announced they would be the first team of players not to attend OTAs.

Some teams are making arrangement to have phase one of the OTA to be virtual. That would buy time until May 17 when players are expected to go on the field for OTAs.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said on a Zoom call that he doesn’t think players should particulate on-field activities because of COVID-19. He prefers everything to be virtual.

That doesn’t help the competition against Lock, who did show up on Monday for the start of OTAs, if the Broncos can’t get a veteran. It would be hard for a rookie to challenge just being on the field for training camp only.

The clock is ticking for Denver. The QB well is running dry.