The Denver Broncos’ quarterback situation remains highly uncertain.
While Russell Wilson is committed to a five-year contract worth $242.6 million, he has recently put his Colorado home up for sale, indicating some level of instability.
Questions surround Wilson’s rapport with Head Coach Sean Payton, particularly following his benching last season. Payton has openly expressed that he has yet to find the ideal quarterback for his system, with Wilson not fitting his criteria.
This criteria, however, aligns more closely with the playing style demonstrated by New England Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones during his rookie season. Derrik Klassen of the 33rd Team has argued that Jones could be a potential solution for Payton, similar to how Teddy Bridgewater was considered in 2018 and 2019 as a reclamation project.
Klassen suggests that Payton’s frustrations with Wilson stem from the quarterback’s limitations in pre-snap reads and executing full dropback plays, which are essential aspects of Payton’s preferred quarterback style. This is where Jones could potentially fit in as a candidate of interest for the Broncos.
Sean Payton and Mac Jones would literally be a match made in heaven.
Mac Jones gets a fresh start
Sean Payton gets a QB who can play within structure and run his offense to its fullest extent. pic.twitter.com/W6ST9YVRiL
— JonGruden (@SP2YB) February 11, 2024
Drew Brees, former quarterback for the Saints, remarked that Russell Wilson’s strongest attributes don’t align with Sean Payton’s preferences.
According to Brees, Wilson excels more in deep passes and plays involving the run game, read-options, RPOs, and heavy play-action, rather than in the timing and rhythm passing style favored by Payton.
Derrik Klassen also acknowledges that Mac Jones has his own limitations. However, he suggests that there’s potential for Payton to extract from Jones similar performance to what he achieved with Teddy Bridgewater in the past.
Can Sean Payton Turn Mac Jones Into 2019 Teddy Bridgewater With Broncos?
Teddy Bridgewater joined the Saints in 2018, following a severe knee injury sustained during practice with the Minnesota Vikings. His initial season with the Saints saw limited action, appearing in five games and starting one, which resulted in a loss. During this time, he completed 60.9% of his passes for 118 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
However, Bridgewater’s fortunes changed in 2019 when he went undefeated as a starter, winning all five games. Across the season, he completed 67.9% of his passes for 1,384 yards, throwing nine touchdowns against two interceptions.
On the other hand, Mac Jones, drafted 15th overall in 2021, has experienced a decline in his completion percentage and touchdown rate over the past two seasons. Additionally, his interception rate reached a career-high of 3.5% in the latest season. In 2023, Jones completed 64.9% of his passes for 2,120 yards, tallying 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Currently in the final year of his four-year, $15.6 million contract, the Patriots do not intend to exercise his fifth-year option, estimated at $22 million. Consequently, the Broncos might consider acquiring him for a late-round draft pick. However, given the regression in Jones’ performance and certain character concerns raised during his career, this may not be the optimal use of their limited draft capital.
Derrik Klassen even suggests that Jones finds himself in “quarterback purgatory,” casting doubt on whether he can rediscover the form he displayed during his rookie season.
Broncos Brewing an Uninspiring QB Battle
This potential move would hold more promise if Mac Jones were prepared to vie for the starting quarterback position. Currently, his primary competition in Denver would likely be Jarrett Stidham, who is anticipated to be given the opportunity to compete for the QB1 role next season, along with Ben DiNucci, unless the Broncos bring in additional competition.
DiNucci hasn’t attempted a regular season pass since the 2021 season.
Alternatively, there’s the option of drafting a quarterback, allowing Payton to handpick his own developmental passer who wouldn’t be facing a new contract situation after the upcoming season.
Leave a Reply