Broncos should pass on recently released veteran in shrinking QB market

The Denver Broncos still need an answer at quarterback, but they should pass on recently released veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, whose career is on the downslide.

The Denver Post's Ryan McFadden listed Garoppolo — who most recently played for the Las Vegas Raiders — as an option for the Broncos. He added that the "QB market is shrinking, and at least he would give Jarrett Stidham some competition."

Stidham went 1-1 in two starts last season, posting a below-average 31.1 QBR. Backup Ben DiNucci has made one start in his career.
Denver has the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which puts it within range of taking one of the better quarterbacks in the draft, perhaps Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix Jr. 

In his latest mock draft, NFL Media's Charles Davis predicted the Broncos would take Nix. Per Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver, Broncos scouts attended his pro day. However, a rookie needs time to develop, so bringing in a veteran passer would be smart for Denver.

Bridge QBs, such as Sam Darnold (Vikings) and Jacoby Brissett (Patriots), have signed elsewhere. Still, the Broncos should think twice about adding Garoppolo, a 10-year veteran who has missed 32 regular-season games due to injuries in nine seasons. 

He threw more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (seven) in six starts with the Raiders last season and was benched for rookie Aidan O'Connell in Week 9. The NFL also recently suspended him for two games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.  

Even though the market is diminishing, there are better options than Jimmy G. Former Pro Bowlers Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz remain unsigned. According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Denver could pursue a trade for Washington's Sam Howell or Chicago's Justin Fields.

On Wednesday, the Broncos released Russell Wilson with a post-June 1 designation, incurring an $85M cap hit over the next two seasons. (He has since signed with the Steelers.) Denver can't make another mistake at quarterback.