The Denver Broncos‘ 2023 season has been filled with highs and lows. From a 70-20 loss to a five-game win streak, the Broncos really saw it all.
However, at 7-8 with two games to go, they are likely out of playoff contention. In response, they have benched starting quarterback Russell Wilson. With Jarrett Stidham in line to start, what does their depth chart look like?
What Is the Broncos’ QB Depth Chart?
Adam Schefter first reported the news. The Broncos’ decision to bench Wilson comes mainly as a result of his major contract. He struggled in 2022 but has improved in nearly every statistical way in 2023. He has passed for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
His contract, however, is a five-year, $245 million deal, including $125 million fully guaranteed when he signed. He signed the deal when he was traded to the Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks.
His salary in 2025 of $37 million is not guaranteed until the fifth day of the 2024 league year. This means the Broncos would owe that money if Wilson were to get injured in the final two games and could not pass a physical next March. Benching him eliminates that possibility and opens up more avenues for the Broncos to look into.
If Denver were to release Wilson next offseason, it would leave $85 million in dead cap and a net loss of nearly $50 million in 2024 cap space. It is more likely they will use a post-June 1 designation, allowing them to spread his dead cap over 2024 and 2025.
The Broncos gave up first, second, and fifth-round picks in 2022, first and second-round choices in 2023, QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, and DT Shelby Harris in the trade for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-rounder.
With Wilson heading to the bench, Jarrett Stidham will take his place. Stidham is the only other quarterback on the Broncos’ active roster. Stidham, who was drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, has played in 14 career games. He’s passed for 926 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
MORE: Denver Broncos Depth Chart
Although the Broncos only hold two active roster quarterbacks, they do have Ben DiNucci on their practice squad. He has played in three career games, passing for 219 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
In Week 15’s 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions, Broncos head coach Sean Payton was seen blowing up on Wilson on the sideline. “I was upset about the call. Simple, that’s it,” said Payton when asked about it. “Listen, what I talk with Russell about is none of your business.”
No matter who is at quarterback, they will have to rely on their weapons. Javonte Williams, Courtland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy are the team’s leading contributors. Williams has 193 carries for 701 yards and two touchdowns. Sutton and Jeudy, however, have combined for 106 catches, 1,395 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
However, Sutton might be missing too. He suffered a head injury in the Broncos’ Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. He did not return and entered concussion protocol, where he still is. His status will be up in the air for Week 17.
“It is tough any time you lose a good player like that. He is in the [concussion] protocol,” said Payton in his postgame press conference. “I think it happened early in the game, and there were a couple of adjustments that we made and then you go play. Knock on wood; we have been healthy. That is the first time something like that happened.”
If Sutton is missing, the Broncos will look for Marvin Mims and Brandon Johnson to fill in for him. Mims has caught 21 passes for 361 yards and one touchdown, while Johnson has caught 11 for 169 yards and four touchdowns.
The Broncos’ two final games of the season will be against the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. Both teams are division rivals, with the Chargers being eliminated from the playoffs and the Raiders needing a lot of help to get in.
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