Where Do Denver Broncos Turn After Losing Brock Osweiler in Free Agency?

Things can get a little out of control on the open market.

The Denver Broncos were unable to outbid the Houston Texans for the services of quarterback Brock Osweiler, as he instead opted to sign a four-year, $72 million contract with the Texans.

Broncos general manager John Elway wished Osweiler well after it was revealed that the young passer would not be staying in Denver.

“We’ve stayed true to our philosophy of building a team with players who want to be Denver Broncos and want to be here. That’s been a successful approach for us," Elway told Andrew Mason from the team’s official website. "Our organization thanks Brock for his contributions and wishes him all the best.”

Not since the 2001 Baltimore Ravens have we seen a Super Bowl champion begin the next season with a starting quarterback who wasn’t on the roster the previous season.

After Trent Dilfer led the Ravens to a win in Super Bowl XXXV, the team dumped him for free agent Elvis Grbac. The Ravens went to the playoffs that year but fell short in the defense of their championship. Grbac was gone after only one year, and the Ravens had to start over at the position.

With the group of potential quarterbacks shrinking, the Broncos have to find another option. The Super Bowl champions will still have a world-class defense in 2016, but the leader of their offense is unknown at this time.

Where do the Broncos turn after losing Osweiler in free agency? Let’s examine the possibilities.

Trade for Colin Kaepernick

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Perhaps the most likely option is trading the San Francisco 49ers for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Multiple reports have surfaced naming Kaepernick as a potential target of the Broncos. Adam Schefter, from ESPN, reported that the Broncos, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns could have interest in trading for him. With multiple teams interested in Kaepernick, the Broncos may have to pay an inflated price just to snare him. Parting with a second- or third-round pick may be what it takes for Denver to secure his services.

Upon adding Kaepernick, the Broncos would then need to address his contract situation. In 2016, he is set to count $15.8 million against the cap with $7.3 million in dead money. The Broncos would likely work to lower that number if they can add Kaepernick via trade.

Add Robert Griffin III

Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

The Gary Kubiak system takes a lot of cues from the Mike Shanahan system, which is why Robert Griffin III could be an option for the Broncos.

Griffin may have another team on his mind. Vincent Bonsignore, from the Los Angeles Daily News, reported that Griffin is interested in playing for the Los Angeles Rams.

There’s a chance that Griffin could wind up with the 49ers, as he has a good skill set for the Chip Kelly offense. Even though Griffin worked in a similar system, the Broncos may decide to go in a different direction.

Sign Ryan Fitzpatrick

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

In a move that some fans may not like, the Broncos may be forced to sign veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Brian Costello of the New York Post reported that the Broncos are now a threat to steal Fitzpatrick away from the Jets. Signing Fitzpatrick could take a dollar amount near what the Broncos had offered Osweiler.

Paying Fitzpatrick around $15 million per year for any amount of time seems a bit outlandish. He’s got to be on the radar because of the situation the team is in, but Fitzpatrick may not be the right fit.

Draft a QB Early

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At the end of the first round in the 2016 NFL draft, the Broncos may find that two or three quarterbacks have already gone off the board. It’s not a great quarterback class, but the talent at the top could dry up quickly.

There’s a chance that Paxton Lynch (Memphis) could be on the board when the Broncos pick at the end of the first round.

Lynch is built a lot like Kaepernick, and he’s a mobile passer who is dangerous as a runner. The rookie has shown a willingness to keep his mind on passing first—even when under pressure to extend a play. He’s not afraid to challenge a defense deep, and Lynch is rarely fooled by coverage intent on duping him. Instead, he does a good job of manipulating the defense with his eyes and can get hot as a passer.

With the situation the Broncos are in right now, they may even be tempted to move up in the first round if Lynch gets within striking distance. Elway did that last year when pass-rusher Shane Ray fell into the Broncos’ range. He could do it for a passer this time around.

Draft a QB Mid-Draft

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Perhaps a wise move—regardless of what happens before the draft—is to select a quarterback in the middle rounds of the draft. The Broncos could first spend picks on more pressing needs, then perhaps find a quarterback for the future.

A player the Broncos could have interest in is Dak Prescott (Mississippi State).

Prescott is incredibly athletic and does a good job of keeping plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Even though he’s known mostly as a rushing quarterback, Prescott did show the ability on film to throw deep with touch and accuracy, and he was impressive earlier this year during the week of practice for the 2016 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Prescott is a work in progress as a passer, but he’s shown mechanical improvement and can make every throw required in the NFL.

If the Broncos have to move a pick for Kaepernick, then it could reduce the chances of taking a quarterback in the middle rounds, as that may be the range of the pick they surrender in exchange for the veteran quarterback.

Developmental QBs

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Broncos added a developmental quarterback last year when they selected Trevor Siemian in the seventh round. His live arm immediately stood out when watching him in minicamp, OTAs and training camp last year. Siemian is an interesting prospect, but we’re most likely looking at a future backup—and that’s it.

Late-round quarterbacks to consider include guys like Vernon Adams Jr. (Oregon) and Nate Sudfeld (Indiana).

Adams has the prerequisite athleticism needed to star in the Kubiak offense. He can scramble for yards when the play breaks down and has shown the ability to accurately throw on the run. Adams is a smaller quarterback, measuring in at 5’11” and 200 pounds. His lack of size and mechanical issues will likely keep him as a late-round pick in the draft.

Sudfeld is your traditional pocket passer. Unlike Adams, Sudfeld is a huge prospect who measures in at 6’6” and 240 pounds. He’s got a strong arm and can challenge a defense vertically with this deep-passing ability. Sudfeld isn’t much of a threat to run the ball, and his consistency needs to improve in order for him to play up to his potential.

It can be said that every team should be drafting a quarterback late. There are not enough good passers in the league, and teams need to do their due diligence to find any talent possible at the position. Don’t be surprised if the Broncos take another seventh-round or undrafted quarterback this year.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database. Draft Grades courtesty of NFLDraftScout.com.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.