3 quarterbacks the Broncos could have traded for instead of Russell Wilson

This season couldn’t be going much worse for the Denver Broncos with Russell Wilson as their quarterback, and here are three quarterbacks they could’ve (should’ve?) traded for instead.

Since Peyton Manning retired following a win in Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos had been searching for a quarterback. A long-running mix of journeyman (Teddy Bridgewater, Trevor Siemian) and high draft picks (Paxton Lynch, Drew Lock) never cut it, and it got to a point it was never going to cut it.

So the Broncos made a big move last offseason, acquiring Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks for two first-round picks (2022, 2023), two other picks in last April’s draft, Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

The Broncos completed the all-in move by giving Wilson a five-year, $242 million contract with $124 million guaranteed. Basically, via a look at Over The Cap, they are married to Wilson through 2025, if not 2026. Stuck with him might be the better phrase,  based on his level of play this season.

The Broncos’ season reached a low point on Sunday, with a 23-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers. At 3-8, they’re more likely to deliver a top-10 pick to the Seahawks than finish above .500.

There was a telling stat a couple weeks ago that still fits to some degree now. The updated version is this–if the Broncos had scored 20 points in all their games, they would be 8-3.

Wilson has eight touchdown passes and five interceptions in his 10 starts, with a 58.9 percent completion rate, an 82.3 passer rating and a 32.3 QBR. Those numbers are all career-lows, and substantial career lows at that. The mobility he once had, and the real threat he was once with his legs, is gone.

If the Broncos could jump into a time machine and trade for a different quarterback, these three might be on their radar.

3 quarterbacks the Denver Broncos could’ve traded for instead of Russell Wilson

3. Jimmy Garoppolo

If not for his having shoulder surgery early in the offseason, the 49ers would have traded Garoppolo and multiple teams would have been in on him to be their new starter. But he was not able to throw until late in the summer, and San Francisco is certainly pretty glad it turned out the way it did with Trey Lance going down to injury early in the season.

The Broncos still could have traded for Garoppolo at a more reasonable cost that it took to get Wilson (which isn’t saying much), and possibly hung onto Drew Lock as a backup if the shoulder wasn’t right. But the 49ers stuck to a high asking price throughout, and Garoppolo didn’t ruffle feathers in an effort to be traded or cut.

Denver wanted a clear upgrade over what they’ve had under center, and they went with Wilson. Even with Garoppolo at his level of play this season, they’d have a few more wins and they’d be a playoff contender as the stretch run of the season looms.