Schefter: Broncos' Sean Payton 'Legitimately Believes' He'll Find, Develop New QB

The Denver Broncos turned the page to a new era when they parted ways with quarterback Russell Wilson.

That puts more pressure on head coach Sean Payton, who now must find a new franchise signal-caller. However, Payton has the confidence that he can do so, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.

"Sean Payton legitimately believes that he's gonna find a quarterback or develop a quarterback, whether Jarrett Stidham is the guy, or they draft a quarterback high," he said.

Schefter noted that Payton likes the veteran Stidham, who closed the 2023 season for a benched Wilson, before continuing:

"But when you do a contract like that that doesn't work out, you're going to have to take your medicine at some point in time. So they're saying, you know what, we're gonna take it now and we're gonna get through this."

Schefter then pointed out that Payton is on a five-year contract worth up to $100 million and has leeway and trust from ownership to do what he feels is necessary to right the ship in Denver.

Denver could certainly be in play to select a quarterback in this year's draft. The problem is that the team sits No. 12 overall, behind a handful of teams who are very likely (or assuredly) going with a QB in the first round. So the Broncos may have to make some moves to get a blue-chip prospect or get a less heralded one later on and hope for the best.

Ultimately, Payton has the confidence he can find that quarterback and end the merry-go-round the team has experienced at the position since the end of the Peyton Manning era in 2015.