For two players who haven’t seen much action lately—and haven’t exactly excelled when they have—Denver Broncos backup quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson have managed to secure hefty contracts.
However, it’s likely someone else will inherit the financial responsibility for their future, as both players’ contracts expire after the 2024 season. Stidham is on a 2-year, $10 million deal, while Wilson is in the final years of his 4-year, $35.1 million contract with the New York Jets, signed after he was taken second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
With both expected to leave, the Broncos will likely look to the 2025 NFL Draft to find their next backup quarterback for rookie standout Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Additionally, drafting a quarterback, especially in the later rounds, offers a financial advantage, as the cost difference between picks in rounds five through seven is minimal.
Broncos Can Save Money With Rookie QB
In the 2024 NFL Draft, a record-tying six quarterbacks were selected in the first round. However, only five quarterbacks were taken in the remaining six rounds, with just a $200,000 difference in salaries across those final five picks.
Spencer Rattler, selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, was the first of those five, signing a 4-year, $4.3 million contract.
Michael Pratt, chosen by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round, was the last of the group, signing a 4-year, $4.1 million deal.
For the Broncos, these savings could be crucial, potentially allowing them to add another starter on either side of the ball—something they desperately need, especially with an additional $32 million in dead cap money tied to Russell Wilson’s contract in 2025.
Finding the Best College QB Fit for the Broncos
This year’s college quarterback class isn’t considered especially deep, with only Shedeur Sanders from Colorado and Cam Ward from Miami seen as likely first-round picks.
Beyond those two, the Broncos have a wide range of quarterbacks to consider. Ideally, they would look for someone who can fit into the system like Bo Nix and possess a skill set similar to his—an efficient passer with the ability to run when needed.
With seven picks in the 2025 draft, including three in the sixth round but none in the fifth or seventh rounds, the Broncos could use one of their sixth-round picks to select a quarterback.
A player like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, whose stock has fallen during the 2024 season, could be a perfect fit for the Broncos. It might even be worth using two sixth-round picks to move up to the fourth round if Milroe is available.
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN currently ranks Milroe as the No. 3 quarterback on his 2025 draft board. Another quarterback who might fit the Broncos’ needs, and who is more similar to Stidham and Wilson, is Texas’ Quinn Ewers, who Kiper has ranked No. 6 on his list.
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