Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the offseason. Submit questions to Ryan here.
What about Brett Rypien? Why don’t the Broncos give him a chance at being the starting quarterback? Do they think he is only good enough to be a backup?
— Donny Archuletta, Pueblo
Rypien had a chance to start last year and threw two touchdowns and three interceptions in a road win over the New York Jets. He should be in the Broncos’ plans as a backup who can carve out a long career, but he’s behind Drew Lock and a quarterback-to-be-named later.
Everyone wants a new quarterback with most analysts projecting Trey Lance. Analysts also say he needs to mature and sit behind a veteran for a year or two as the Broncos did with Paxton Lynch and several other young quarterbacks over the years. Will you and the other pundits be yelling for him to go into the starting position in October saying he can’t learn anything from the sidelines?
— Gary Read, Wichita, Kan.
Not sure about most analysts mocking Lance to the Broncos, but I digress.
I have always been — and always will be — in the camp of, “Play the Kid Quarterback.” That’s the only way to get better in this league, by facing pressure, by handling adversity, by learning on the job. Rare is the situation like Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City in 2017) and Jordan Love (Green Bay in 2020) stepped into — their team good enough to allow them to watch.
If the Broncos take a rookie quarterback, they should not make any proclamations about him sitting to begin the year. If they are better than Lock or whoever in camp, they should get the Week 1 assignment.
And yes, if Lance is sitting in early October and the Broncos are off to a third consecutive poor start, I will be chanting for him to play.
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— Matt, East Colfax
The part you should read into: Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis feels Bowlen did well handling her initial duties, which began in December 2019, and merited a promotion that will have her overseeing more people and reporting only to Ellis.
Don’t view this as a proactive step by the Broncos to eventually hand Bowlen the keys to the franchise as the next controlling owner.
The trial pitting the trustees vs. Beth Bowlen Wallace and Amie Klemmer remains scheduled for July 12. Until there is closure on that, there will be no clarity about the future of the franchise.
The Broncos seem focused on getting a quarterback in the first round. But let’s say five get taken in the first eight picks. Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance and Mac Jones all gone after some aggressive trading. What do the Broncos do? I’d want to see them trade down and get some more picks. It definitely opens up who they want to get early, too, like Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons or Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. And are there any quarterbacks in the later rounds who are worthwhile to get?
— Marshall, Parker
Operating under Marshall’s idea of five quarterbacks going in the first eight picks …
Theory 1: Paton should stay put and guarantee he gets the best or second-best defensive player, be it Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain, South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn or Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
Theory 2: If Paton and coach Vic Fangio believe there is a cluster of defensive players that have the same value, the Broncos should then trade down to a team who wants Alabama receivers DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle.
I see plenty of talk about getting a quarterback in the draft, but the Broncos still have an issue at inside linebacker. Are any of these quarterbacks worth taking over Micah Parsons, who could be a staple in the middle for years?
— Dennis, Fort Collins
I’m in the Justin Fields Camp — if the Broncos have the opportunity to take him by moving up or staying at No. 9, they should act.
But if Fields isn’t available, that’s when Paton must make a decision. Is Parsons good enough to take at No. 9? Can they move down four or five spots and still get Parsons? Is cornerback or pass rusher a bigger need?
Parsons jumps out on video with his blitzing ability and sideline-to-sideline range.
Ryan, any word if the NFL is going to change the one-helmet rule? I’d love to see the Broncos in the vintage big “D” logo at some point again.
— Mike Smith, Denver
Last year, the NFL floated the idea that it would change the one-helmet rule, which would allow for throw-back models like the Broncos’ “D” when the helmet is a different color. Currently, teams like the Packers wear throw-back uniforms but have the same helmets (sans emblems).
A quick search returned a Pro Football Talk story from earlier this month citing a league spokesperson’s comment that there hasn’t been a resolution to the possibility.
Whatever happened to Kyle Sloter? I was a fan of his during his UNC days and have always rooted for him to make the NFL.
— Shawn, Greeley
Sloter, who signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2017, is currently without a team. He has bounced from the Broncos to Minnesota, Arizona, Detroit, Chicago and Las Vegas. He signed a contract with the Raiders on Jan. 15, but was released on April 15.
Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the offseason. Submit questions to Ryan here.
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