Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.
Ryan, every single quarterback who’s on the trading block is being rumored to come to Denver. Is there one who would make sense more than the others? I’d love to have Deshaun Watson here, but I only imagine we’d have to mortgage our future in order to get him. I’m less excited about the prospects of Matthew Stafford or Jimmy Garoppolo coming here — I’d much rather have Drew Lock under center for one more year than either of those two. What are your thoughts?
— Mike, Aurora
Once again, we’re amidst The Offseason Of Quarterback Chatter for the Broncos. Let’s take this player-by-player.
Watson: A franchise-changing player who would make the Broncos an instant playoff contender. I would do whatever it took to get in the mix even if it includes players off the roster and multiple first-round picks.
Stafford: I wrote about this in Tuesday’s newspaper. A fine talent, but he turns 33 next month, has never won a playoff game and does he really make the Broncos that much better?
Garoppolo: No thanks.
Lock: If not Watson, giving Lock a final chance as the starter would be the best course.
With the recent potential legal issue and salary cap hit of Von Miller, wouldn’t it make sense to cut him and try to bring back Shaq Barrett? By the way, it pains me to think about cutting Miller but it feels like it’s time. Thanks.
— Brandon, Rogers, Ark.
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— Tom S., Fort Collins
Nothing new on the Miller off-the-field issue, which came out of nowhere on Jan. 15 when the Parker Police Department said he was the subject of an investigation.
Regardless of that issue, is it worth keeping Miller at his current cap hit (team-high $22.125 million)? I would thank Von for his service, tell him he’ll eventually be in the Ring of Honor and wish him well on completing a likely Pro Football Hall of Fame career. The next-closest cap hit on the Broncos is safety Kareem Jackson ($12.9 million).
As soon as general manager George Paton calls an NFL colleague about Miller, that general manager should take that as a sign Miller will be cut and just wait it out. The other option is acquiring Miller with the understanding he will have the final year of his deal re-worked and extended.
Barrett wanted a chance to start at outside linebacker and that wasn’t happening here with Miller and Bradley Chubb. He bet on himself in 2019 with a one-year deal and turned that into a 2020 franchise tag. He will be one of the top free agents on the market.
Cutting Miller would create $13.875 million of cap space.
How are the Justin Simmons negotiations going? It seems like a no-brainer to lock him up on a long-term deal.
— Patty, Denver
Because Paton just started on the job two weeks ago, my guess is he is canvassing the roster and meeting with the coaches and chief contract negotiator Rich Hurtado about how to proceed with Simmons.
Does Paton see Simmons in as high of a light as Broncos fans? Who knows. But what Paton does know is the Broncos aren’t in a position to let good players walk out the door.
Even before Paton came aboard, my guess was the Broncos placing Simmons under the franchise tag in March and then trying like heck to achieve a long-term deal.
I don’t know why we are holding on to a not-so-great quarterback in Drew Lock! He over throws or puts it into the dirt! We need to get Aaron Rodgers or Deshaun Watson to make the playoffs! Our coach is supposed to be a defensive genius, but I’ve seen nothing but losses and absolutely just stupid play calls! We need a better QB and coach as soon as possible! We haven’t even come close to getting to the playoffs after that awesome Super Bowl win! So let’s revamp and get a couple of better players!
— Matt, Kalispell, Mont.
Matt’s missive reminds me of the great “Seinfeld” episode (and there were a few dozen of them) when Elaine was upset Jake didn’t put an exclamation point at the end of a note. But hey, I don’t mind people who are excited about Broncos football. In his 95-word missive (I didn’t see a question in there), Matt hit on a bunch of topics.
Lock: He doesn’t cost much to keep even if he’s not the starter and the Broncos haven’t closed the door on that. They have a better chance at getting Watson than Rodgers.
Vic Fangio: He’s well-respected by coaches around the league for his defensive acumen, but you’re right, he’s 12-20 in two seasons.
Better quarterback/better coach: Another 5-11 season and you will get your wish.
Not close to the playoffs since Super Bowl: The 2016 team finished 9-7, one game out of the playoffs, but since then, the Broncos have finished four, four, two and (gulp) six games out of the playoffs.
Ryan, any predictions on who’s entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year? Peyton Manning’s a lock. I’d love to see Randy Gradishar finally make it.
— E.B., Denver
In August, Gradishar’s chance to be in the Class of 2021 ended when the Hall’s Senior Committee chose to nominate receiver Drew Pearson.
When the selection committee met via Zoom last week, they voted “yes” or “no” on candidates in the coaching (Tom Flores), contributor (Bill Nunn, Jr.) and senior (Pearson) categories.
Next was the presentation of the 15 modern-era finalists. According to voter Clark Judge, who keeps time of the presentations, receiver Calvin Johnson (39 minutes, 17 seconds), safety John Lynch (37:06) and offensive tackle Tony Boselli (31:51) were the longest.
My five picks: Manning, cornerback/safety Charles Woodson, Lynch, Boselli and guard Alan Faneca.
Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.
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