The Denver Broncos are scrambling to find a viable Russell Wilson replacement after the veteran is leaving to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Wilson heading to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal, what will Denver do at quarterback? The Broncos could pursue a pair of first-round draft busts, per NFL on CBS insider Jonathan Jones.
Jones took to social media to report that the team has discussed acquiring Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson.
“Now that Kirk Cousins has landed in Atlanta, the free-agent QB market should start to take shape. Broncos have discussed names like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, sources say. Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco are potential options in New England. Flacco could also return to Browns,” Jones posted to X on March 11.
Now that Kirk Cousins has landed in Atlanta, the free-agent QB market should start to take shape. Broncos have discussed names like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, sources say. Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco are potential options in New England. Flacco could also return to Browns.
Now that Kirk Cousins has landed in Atlanta, the free-agent QB market should start to take shape. Broncos have discussed names like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, sources say. Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco are potential options in New England. Flacco could also return to Browns.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 11, 2024
Darnold was the third overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft. The USC product spent three seasons in New York before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in April 2021.
After two years in Carolina, Darnold signed with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2023.
Wilson was drafted as Darnold’s replacement with the second overall pick out of BYU in the 2021 NFL draft. In 2023, the Jets went 4-7 in Wilson’s 11 starts in place of injured four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 1.
Broncos Fans Not Thrilled About Team Potentially Adding Darnold or Wilson
Following eight seasons of lackluster quarterback play for the Broncos, fans will have a tough time accepting whoever becomes the next option under center.
Broncos fans expressed dissatisfaction on social media over the team discussing Darnold and Wilson for the 2024 campaign.
“Please, Broncos, stay away from Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson. Please,” one fan pleaded on X on March 11.
Please, Broncos, stay away from Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson. Please 🙏🏻😭
Another fan had shown their unhappiness by posting a gif of actress Kristen Bell as Eleanor Shellstrop from the NBC comedy series “The Good Place.”
"Broncos have discussed names like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson" https://t.co/b3IFrJFGzL pic.twitter.com/xMuEpkJQ3N
— Kalle📸 (@KalleSorbo) March 11, 2024
Two other fans wondered why the Broncos have not tried to acquire Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields instead.
“You can’t tell me that the Broncos are mulling over options like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson (reclamation projects), but not Justin Fields,” one observer posted on X.
You can’t tell me that the Broncos are mulling over options like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson(reclamation projects), but not Justin Fields.
You can't tell me that the Broncos are mulling over options like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson(reclamation projects), but not Justin Fields.
— Marc Louis (@MA7290) March 11, 2024
“The Broncos better just get Justin Fields cause I am not entertaining names like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson,” a fan stated bluntly on X.”
The Broncos better just get Justin Fields cause I am not entertaining names like Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson
— jaden➿ (@JadenAFC) March 11, 2024
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin & Russell Wilson Described to Have a ‘Perfect Relationship’ in Pittsburgh
Regardless of what Denver does at quarterback next season, the front office should not be faulted for trying.
Wilson could not make things work with veteran head coach Sean Payton in his final year with the Broncos. The nine-time Pro Bowler might fare better with another Super Bowl-winning coach in Pittsburgh.
Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report joined the March 11 episode of FS1’s “Speak” and recalled being told that Wilson and Tomlin have a “perfect relationship.”
“[Wilson] was in the room with Mike Tomlin for a couple hours,” Schultz told host Emmanuel Acho. “And they hit it off in a way that was described to me as ‘perfection.’ When you put Russell Wilson in a room, he excels. Mike Tomlin is the same type of guy. They related on a human level way beyond football. And as a result of that, this created this level of comfort that [Wilson and Tomlin] could take [Pittsburgh] to a really successful place.”
.@Schultz_Report tells us how Russell Wilson ended up with the Pittsburgh Steelers
“Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson met for hours, and they hit it off in a way that was described to me as ‘perfection.’” pic.twitter.com/kPaBZUYUqG
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) March 11, 2024
he Wilson and Tomlin pairing will indeed be “perfection” as Schultz claimed. Get that popcorn ready Broncos Country as Denver will host Wilson and the Steelers in 2024.
