Even before it really started going, Colorado’s Russell Wilson era is finished. The Denver Broncos are now searching for their next quarterback as they enter the summer.
Denver could look at the free agency market to check if any quarterback will be available to be a bridge QB as they search for their quarterback of the future. There’s also the possibility of trading for one, with a number of players expected to be made available this offseason.
One thing that might be out of the option for the Broncos, however, is drafting a QB. They won’t be picking in the 2024 NFL Draft until no. 12, and by that point, all the top QB prospects are long gone. The likes of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are expected to be selected within the Top 5 anyway.
However, if the Broncos are serious when it comes to quickly finding a franchise quarterback, there is a path for them to trade for the no. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears and take the top prospect they want.
Sure enough, though, trading for the top pick where the Broncos can get a franchise quarterback won’t be cheap.
In the proposal made by ESPN, Denver will need to part ways with 23-year-old Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain II along with their no. 12 pick in the upcoming draft, as well as second- and third-round selections in 2025 to make it happen.
Here’s what ESPN wrote about the trade idea:
The Broncos are already missing years of draft capital and are down multiple picks in this draft, so they almost have to include players to move up from No. 12 to No. 1. The only player who would move the needle is star cornerback Pat Surtain II, who might seem like a luxury in a defense that plays as much zone as the Bears.
Chicago might also not want to pay two cornerbacks as much as Surtain and Jaylon Johnson will combine to get on their next contracts, but if Eberflus wants to field the NFL’s best defense, getting a top-three cornerback isn’t going to hurt.
Of course it’s unknown if the Bears will actually like the offer or entertain it, but it’s the only viable pathway for the Broncos to get something done.
Moving a young cornerback like Surtain will definitely hurt, but for a Broncos team that has an uncertain future, having a franchise quarterback they can build around with is a priority.
