The Russell Wilson era ended on Monday after the Broncos told the quarterback on that they plan on releasing him after two seasons in Denver.
Jarrett Stidham, who took over as the team’s starter in Week 17, will now be the only quarterback on Denver’s roster to have started a game for the team.
From Trevor Siemian to Stidham, here’s a look at who they are, how they fared in the role and where they are today.
Trevor Siemian
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws a pass to running back Devontae Booker (23) during the third quarter on Dec. 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
How he landed with the Broncos: Siemian was selected in the seventh round (250th pick overall) by the Broncos in 2015.
How he fared in Denver: Siemian played 25 games, making 24 starts for the Broncos, leading them to a 13-11 record. He completed 59.3% of his passes for 5,686 yards, 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He was traded to the Vikings along with a 2018 seventh-round pick following the 2017 season for a 2019 fifth-round pick. The fifth-round pick would be used to select linebacker Justin Hollins.
Where is he now: The 32-year-old quarterback played for the Jets in 2023. He appeared in five games (starting three), leading the Jets to a 2-1 record while completing 56.2% of his passes for 724 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He is slated to be an unrestricted free agent when the NFL free agency period begins at 2 p.m. MT on March 13.
Paxton Lynch
Shaban Athuman, The Denver Post
Quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) hands the ball to running back Phillip Lindsay (2) against Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 11, 2018 at Mile High Stadium in Denver.
How he landed with the Broncos: The Memphis standout was selected by the Broncos in the first round (26th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. “He was the guy,” general manager John Elway said after selecting Lynch. “And we’re thrilled to have him.”
How he fared in Denver: Lynch didn’t live up to his first-round hype in Denver, playing just five games (starting four) in his two seasons with the Broncos. He had a 1-3 record while completing 61.7% of his passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. He was cut before the start of the 2018 season.
Where is he now: Lynch, 30, last played professionally with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL after the Orlando Guardians waived him on April 5, 2023, following an 0-5 start.
Brock Osweiler
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
Brock Osweiler of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 14, 2017 in Indianapolis.
How he landed with the Broncos: Osweiler was originally selected by Denver in the second round (57th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. Following the Super Bowl 50 win, he signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Houston Texans. He was traded a year later to Cleveland but was released before the start of the 2018 season. Shortly after, he re-signed with Denver after Lynch suffered a shoulder injury.
How he fared in Denver: His second stint with the Broncos wasn’t as memorable as his first. He played in six games (starting four) and finished with an 0-4 record in his starts. He finished the year completing 55.8% of his passes for 1,088 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Where is he now: Osweiler, 33, is retired and watching a lot of football.
Case Keenum
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Case Keenum (4) of the Denver Broncos cannot score inside the red zone against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers.
How he landed with the Broncos: Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal with Denver before the start of the 2018 season.
How he fared in Denver: Keenum became the first Broncos quarterback to start every game in a season since Peyton Manning’s 2014 season. He opened strong, leading Denver to a 2-0 start, but the team finished the season 6-10. Keenum completed 62.3% of his passes for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He was traded along with a seventh-round pick to Washington for a sixth-round pick following the end of the season.
Where is he now: The 36-year-old Keenum signed a two-year deal with the Texans — his first team in the NFL — before the 2023 season. He started two games last year, leading Houston to a 1-1 record while completing 64.2% of his passes for 291 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was benched in the second half of the Week 16 game against the Browns.
Joe Flacco
Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco #5 delivers a pass to fullback Andy Janovich #32 as the (2-5) Denver Broncos take on the (4-2) Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Oct. 27, 2019. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
How he landed with the Broncos: The former Super Bowl MVP was traded to Denver in February 2019 for a fourth-round draft pick.
How he fared in Denver: Flacco started eight games before the Broncos placed him on injured reserve for a herniated disc in his neck. Denver went 2-6 in his starts, where he completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Where is he now: Flacco, 39, was the Browns’ No. 1 starter in 2023 following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury. In five starts, he led Cleveland to a 4-1 record, completing 60.3% of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed 34 of 46 passes for 307 yards, a touchdown and two picks in the Browns’ 45-14 loss to Houston in the AFC wild-card game. Flacco was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
Brandon Allen
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Danielle Hunter (99) of the Minnesota Vikings pressures Brandon Allen (2) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019.
How he landed with the Broncos: Allen was claimed off waivers from the Rams prior to the start of the 2019 season.
How he fared in Denver: He started in three games for the Broncos after Flacco suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9 of the 2019 season. He won his first game and lost the other two, completing 46.4% of his passes for 515 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Where is he now: The 31-year-old Allen signed with the 49ers before the start of the 2023 season. He was the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Sam Darnold. He is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
Drew Lock
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) heads back to the sidelines after being hit by the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver on Jan. 8, 2022.
How he landed with the Broncos: Lock was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri.
How he fared in Denver: Lock made his first start during his rookie season in Week 13. In his five starts, he helped the Broncos to a 4-1 record to close out the season. He started 13 games in 2020 and three in 2021. He finished his time in Denver with an 8-13 record, 59.3% completion percentage, 4,740 yards, 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Where is he now: Lock, 27, was the backup to Seahawks starter Geno Smith in 2023. He played in four games (starting two) and completed 63.2% of his passes for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Seattle was 1-1 in his starts. He is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
Jeff Driskel
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) throws an incomplete pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
How he landed with the Broncos: Driskel signed with Denver as a free agent before the 2020 season.
How he fared in Denver: Driskel made his first appearance in Week 2 of the 2020 season after Drew Lock suffered a shoulder injury early in the game against the Steelers. He started in Week 3 in a losing effort to the Buccaneers but was pulled in the fourth quarter. In three appearances (one start), he completed 54.7% of his passes for 432 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Where is he now: The 30-year-old Driskel spent much of last year on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. He was signed by the Browns just before the end of the regular season and started in a Week 18 loss to the Bengals where he completed 13 of 26 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
Brett Rypien
Brett Rypien (4) of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
How he landed with the Broncos: Rypien came to the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
How he fared in Denver: He came on in relief of Jeff Driskel in Week 3 of the 2020 season during Denver’s loss to Tampa Bay. He earned the start in Week 4, leading the Broncos to a 37-28 road win against the Jets. He also had four appearances (two starts) in 2022, coming in for an injured Russell Wilson. In eight games (three starts) in Denver, he completed 61.5% of his passes for 778 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Where is he now: Rypien, 27, signed with the Rams before the start of the 2023 season. In two appearances, including one start, he completed 47.4% of his passes for 172 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception. After Los Angeles waived him, Seattle signed him to its practice squad. He finished the season with the Jets and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
Kendall Hinton
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Denver Broncos quarterback Kendall Hinton (2) scrambles against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020.
How he landed with the Broncos: Hinton signed as an undrafted free agent in April 2020. He was waived before the start of the season, but signed to the practice squad that November.
How he fared in Denver: Hinton was a quarterback at Wake Forest but projected to be a receiver in the NFL. He became the Broncos’ emergency starter in Week 12 of the 2020 season after all four of Denver’s quarterbacks were ruled ineligible to play due to COVID-19 protocol. While Phillip Lindsay technically started under center, Hinton was the team’s primary passer for the game. He completed 1 of 9 passes for 13 yards and two interceptions in a 31-3 loss to the Saints.
Where is he now: After emerging as a depth receiver for the Broncos from 2021-22 (39 catches for 486 yards and a touchdown), he was waived during training camp in August 2023. The 27-year-old is currently a free agent.
Teddy Bridgewater
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Denver.
How he landed with the Broncos: Denver traded a 2021 sixth-round pick to the Panthers to acquire Bridgewater in April.
How he fared in Denver: The journeyman quarterback emerged as the team’s starter after beating out incumbent Drew Lock in the preseason. The Broncos’ record was 7-6 through his 13 starts. He has completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Where is he now: The 31-year-old quarterback signed with the Lions before the start of the 2023 season. He was the backup to starter Jared Goff. He retired following the season and is now the head coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern Senior High School.
Russell Wilson
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) stiff arms Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) on a keeper in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium November 13, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
How he landed with the Broncos: In one of the biggest trades in Denver sports history, the Broncos traded for Wilson and a fourth-round draft pick in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.
How he fared in Denver: Wilson had been the most stable starter for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired. He started 30 games for Denver, completing 63.3% of his passes for 6,594 yards, 42 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. The Broncos have compiled an 11-19 record during that span. In addition, he and his wife, Ciara, bought a $25 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village and opened The House of LR&C, a clothing boutique.
Where is he now: The 35-year-old quarterback was told by the Broncos on Monday that he will be released by the team.
Jarrett Stidham
Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) throws against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High August 26, 2023. Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) heads down field. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
How he landed with the Broncos: Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract with Denver in March.
How he fared in Denver: Stidham, 27, make his first start in NFL Week 17 against the Chargers. In three appearances (two starts), completed 60.6% of his passes for 496 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Where is he now: He finished the season as Denver’s starting quarterback and has one year remaining on his contract.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
Link to original article