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NFL 2023: Predicting the starting QB for all 32 teams pre-NFL Free Agency

By Sayre Bedinger

2023 NFL offseason: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs onto the field before a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
2023 NFL offseason: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs onto the field before a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL offseason
2023 NFL offseason; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) calls out in from the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson

Possible backup options: Jameis Winston, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield

The 2022 season was absolutely brutal for Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos. Fans had dreams (delusions?) of Wilson doing for the 2022 Broncos what Peyton Manning did for the 2012 Broncos — making them an overnight Super Bowl contender. That did not happen.

This Broncos team went from “let’s ride” in March to “how much longer is the ride?” in October. Expectations were not met. The Broncos fell so short that the new ownership group decided to fire Nathaniel Hackett before his first season with the team was over. They replaced him with longtime Saints head coach Sean Payton.

Payton’s arrival in Denver has once again renewed expectations as Wilson played horribly for most of the 2022 season, but finished rather strong. If anyone can get the best out of Russ, it’s Sean Payton, right?

Payton has routinely gotten the best out of his quarterbacks from Drew Brees to Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and plenty of others. This might be one of his biggest undertakings yet.

It’s going to be fascinating to see how it works out with Payton and Russ, but perhaps even more fascinating will be whether he brings in a high-profile backup quarterback. We could see Brett Rypien simply return, or we could see Payton bring in one of his old pals like Jameis Winston.

I would love to see the Broncos bring in a reclamation project behind Russ like Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield, but we’ll see how much the Broncos are willing to invest in a contingency like that.

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