The Broncos quarterback position has had plenty of turnover since Peyton Manning retired following the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory in 2016. Russell Wilson, who was acquired from the Seahawks in the offseason, will be Denver’s 12th starting quarterback since Manning when he takes the field in Week 1.
From Trevor Siemian to Wilson, here’s a look at who they are, how they fared in the role and where they are today.
Trevor Siemian
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 30-year-old Siemian signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears in March. He is listed as the team’s No. 2 quarterback behind Justin Fields. Siemian appeared in six games (starting in four) for the Saints last year, completing 57.4% of his passes for 1,154 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Paxton Lynch
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 prior to the start of the 2018 season.
Where is he now: Lynch, 28, was selected in the 12th round of the USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers, 16th of 16 quarterbacks selected. He appeared in six games (starting in three) where he had a 2-1 record. He completed 65.1% of his passes for 550 yards with five touchdown and four interceptions. He also ran for 74 yards and a pair of scores. His season ended after suffering a leg injury.
Brock Osweiler
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 prior to 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 a 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, 31, is retired and watching a lot of football.
Case Keenum
How he landed with the Broncos: Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal with Denver prior to the start of the 2018 season.
How he fared in Denver: Keenum became the first starting 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: Keenum, 34, was traded from the Browns to the Bills in March for a seventh-round draft pick. He is listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Josh Allen. With Cleveland in 2021, he played in seven games (starting two), completing 65.3% of his passes for 462 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. In Week 7, he led Cleveland to a 17-14 win over the Broncos.
Joe Flacco
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, 37, just completed his second season as the Jets’ backup quarterback. He played two games (one start) in 2021, completing 64.2% of his passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. With Zach Wilson out with a knee injury, Flacco is in line to be the Jets’ starter in Week 1 against the Ravens.
Brandon Allen
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: Allen, 29, is the backup to Bengals starting quarterback Joe Burrow. He played in six games (one start) in 2021, completing 50% of his passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. He re-signed with the team in March on a one-year deal.
Drew Lock
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, 25, was included in a trade package to Seattle for Russell Wilson. He is battling Geno Smith for the Seahawks’ starting job.
Jeff Driskel
How he landed with the Broncos: Driskel signed with Denver as a free agent prior to 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: Driskel, 28, started 2021 as the third-string quarterback for the Texans behind Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills. He was converted to tight end on Nov. 18. He re-signed with the team on a one-year deal in March and may play a hybrid role with Houston this season.
Brett Rypien
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. In his two appearances, he completed 67.5% of his passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Where is he now: Rypien, 26, spent the 2021 season as the Broncos’ third-string quarterback, behind Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. He played in two games, going 0-for-2 in pass attempts. Entering 2022, he is battling Josh Jackson for the No. 2 spot behind Russell Wilson.
Kendall Hinton
How he landed with the Broncos: Hinton signed as an undrafted free agent in April 2020. He was waived prior to 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. He completed 1 of 9 passes for 13 yards and two interceptions in a 31-3 loss to the Saints.
Where is he now: Hinton has emerged as a reliable threat in the Broncos’ receiving corps. He finished 2021 with 15 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. He is listed behind Jerry Jeudy on the Broncos’ unofficial depth chart.
Teddy Bridgewater
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: Bridgewater, 29, signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins in March. He is Miami’s second-string QB behind Tua Tagovailao.
Russell Wilson
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, 33, has yet to take snap for the Broncos. But he and his wife, Ciara, have bought a $25 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village and opened The House of LR&C, a clothing boutique in Park Meadows.
Where is he now: In Broncos camp as the clear No. 1 starter.
