First off, a lot.
We’re into June and the offseason just gets crazier and crazier for the Broncos. There are a couple of things to talk about today, so I suppose we can just hop on in.
Rob Walton favorite to buy the Broncos to kick off June
With the devastating death of former owner Pat Bowlen, the Broncos were plunged into a nightmarish state of affairs. The Bowlen family began fighting over who was actually supposed to own the Broncos, and now their bickering has led to the selling of the team. Rob Walton has now become the favorite to buy the franchise. While $4.5 Billion is an incomprehensible amount of money to most of us, it’s pocket change for Mr. Walton. Not to be outdone, however, are the two other bidding groups currently still in play. Josh Harris, co-owner of the 76ers and New Jersey Devils is still in the running to buy the team, as are Clearlake Capital’s founders Behdad Eghbali and José Feliciano. Best of luck to all of these rich sons of guns on buying the team.
Offseason Position Spotlight: Backup Quarterback
Everyone knows the most important position on a football field is the quarterback. An underrated factor in team success, however, is your backup quarterback. We’ve seen many examples of why having a good backup has led to success, and where having a mediocre to below-average backup has led to a lost season. The hope is that Hackett and his staff find their #2 guy to hold down the fort if Wilson goes down. Let’s meet the contestants that are vying for that #2 spot.
Incumbent Backup: Brett Rypien
Rypien has spent most of his three-year career riding practice squad, and he has suited up as backup as recently as last season. His one and only start came in week four of 2020, and he was shaky, to say the least. Rypien’s stat line from that game was 27-for-40, with 295 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. While one regular-season game of film isn’t a lot to go off of, you could safely say that Ryp could win the primary backup job.
The New Guy: Josh Johnson
Johnson was added to the roster in March, and now that we’re in June, it would be safe to say that he has gotten acquainted with the playbook and is comfortable with it. Johnson has played for too many teams to count, and his stats reflect that of a career backup. No matter what happens though, he always seems to find his way back to the NFL. Even if he has to take a brief stint in another league such as the AAF, he always wanders back to an NFL roster. As a backup last year, Johnson played pretty well, going 57-for-85, with 638 yards, five touchdowns, and only two picks between playing for two teams. With a lot more consistent film to evaluate, you’d be fine betting on him to win the job as well.
Who wins?
It’s hard to say. Both quarterbacks have their strengths and weaknesses, and neither would be a bad option as a backup. I imagine that one or the other will sit on the practice squad throughout the season, although if anything happens to Wilson, don’t be surprised if they both end up on the active day roster.
Other notable headlines, June 7, 2022
Melvin Gordon will attend Minicamp next week, you can read that here.
Jeudy leaves practice early with a groin injury, and that can be found here.
(Note, Jeudy returned to watch the rest of practice with a noticeable limp)
Bradley Chubb and Co impressed with Nik Bonitto thus far, and you can read it here.
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