Like many Bronco fans, I was struggling to figure out Sean Payton’s quarterback plans after letting go of Russell Wilson, despite still owing him $40 million.

The Denver Broncos lacked the cap space for any high-priced free agent, were absent of the draft capital needed to move up for a top-three pick, and obviously, Jarrett Stidham could never be the answer.

But it all became clear the other morning as I sat in bed watching the 1987 classic, The Princess Bride.

Image via Bearing Blog

Remember the scene in The Princess Bride, when the man in black (Westley) challenges Vizzini in a Battle of Wits to try and save Princess Buttercup. Well, I can’t compete with the Denver Broncos organizational plans, but they are no match for my brain.

Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?

Morons.

And apparently, so are the Denver Broncos front office personnel.

But it’s so simple, Sean Payton.

All I have to do is divine from what I know of you – are you the kind of man that would stick with Jerrett Stidham? Sign a reasonably priced free agent? Or risk it all by drafting an unexperienced, cap-friendly rookie?

Now, a clever man would have waited one more year before moving on from Russell Wilson and his contract. But apparently, someone is a great fool.

The Broncos are clearly not choosing Caleb Williams (USC), Jayden Daniels (LSU), or Drake Maye (UNC).

• The Chicago Bears showed their hand when they offered up Justin Fields to anyone interested and will be selecting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick.
• The Washington Commanders will be taking either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye with the number two selection.
• And after trading Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick, the New England Patriots will select Daniels or Maye, whichever is left on the board.

Have you made your decision then?

Not remotely.

The Broncos are clearly not choosing any of the top free agents to be their quarterback.

• Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons for 4-years/$180 million.
• And Baker Mayfield is back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 3-years/$100 million.

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

Wait till I get going! Where was I?

Credit via Medium

The Broncos are clearly not going to choose any of the following bargain free agents to be their quarterback.

• Sam Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
• Gardner Minshew joined the Las Vegas Raiders.
• Jacoby Brissett is in New England.
• Tyrod Taylor is playing for the Jets.
• Marcus Mariota went to the Commanders.
• Jameis Winston made the move to Cleveland.
• And even Mitch Trubisky is unavailable after heading to Buffalo.

You’re just stalling now.

You’d like to think that, wouldn’t you?

The Broncos are already a laughingstock at the quarterback position.

• The Broncos are clearly not going to embarrass themselves further by choosing Drew Lock.
• Denver is clearly not interested in Ryan Tannehill, who has no upside.
• And the team is clearly not wasting their time on Mason Rudolph, Sam Howell, or Joe Flacco.

So, unless Brock Purdy has a sixth-round cousin that can play, that leaves JJ McCarthy (Michigan), Bo Nix (Oregon), and Michael Penix Jr. (Washigton) as the only viable options remaining.

You’re trying to trick Sean Payton into giving away something. It won’t work.

It has worked! He’s given away everything! Russell Wilson, $39 Million, Jerry Jeudy, and the answer to who Denver’s next quarterback will be!

• The Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings have the assets to move up in the draft to take JJ McCarthy. The Broncos do not!
• The 12th pick in the draft is too high for Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. has had two ACL injuries!

Then make your choice.

I will. And I choose (stops suddenly and points) – wait, what in the world can that be?

What? Where? I don’t see anything.

Oh, well, I could have sworn I saw Justin Fields. No matter.

What’s so funny?

I’ll tell you in a minute. First, let’s drink – me from my glass and you from yours. Never mind, I was just thinking how funny it is that the Broncos may end up with Mason Rudolph.

Credit via Understandably

Back to my choice.

Credit via Sporting News

Denver will select JJ McCarthy if he falls to twelve, but I see the Broncos trading back into the second-round and selecting Bo Nix, just before the New York Giants pick at 47.

You guessed wrong.

You better hope I didn’t guess wrong. Otherwise, we’ll all be wearing Spencer Rattler jerseys to the games on Sundays.

You see – Sean Payton fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is “Never get involved in a land war in Asia.” But only slightly less well known is this: “Never release a starting quarterback when you still owe him $40 million, have no cap space, no draft capital, no prospects, and no plan.”

Images via bearingblog, understandably, medium, sportingnews

Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship