The Denver Broncos did not have the season that they would have hoped for a year removed from giving up a fist and a second round pick for head coach Sean Payton, and two years removed from trading two first round picks and mor e for what they believed would be their new, long-term franchise quarterback in Russell Wilson.
The Denver Broncos Still Looking For Their Next John Elway
Wilson, despite some improved moments in 2023, is seemingly set to move on from the Broncos in the coming months, whilst Payton is now in the process of finding his new franchise quarterback to compete in the AFC West, which currently contains QBs Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
As such, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings has devised of a trade that would give Sean Payton a new franchise quarterback, a replacement quarterback for another team, and further draft capital all around.
Which Franchise Quarterback Would The Denver Broncos Land?
This trade proposal has the Broncos landing a slightly controversial – no – not the one you are thinking of – quarterback. Dolphins signal caller, Tua Tagovailoa.
#Broncos Land #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in Wild 3-Team Trade Proposal | via @ChadNJensen
READ: https://t.co/E3uYgdgPGv pic.twitter.com/FxYKqVSVUD
— Mile High Huddle (@MileHighHuddle) January 22, 2024
Per Cummings, here is what each team would receive in the deal:
Broncos get: Tua Tagovailoa, No. 137 pick
Dolphins get: Justin Fields, No. 81 pick, Broncos 2025 second-round pick
Bears get: No. 182 pick, Dolphins 2025 third-round pick, Broncos 2025 sixth-round pick
In this scenario, the Dolphins would give up the quarterback who they supposedly have a desire to commit to long-term, in exchange for Chicago Bears up-and-down QB, Justin Fields, the Broncos’ 2nd round pick, whilst snapping up an extra 3rd round pick this year in exchange for their current 3rd rounder in 2025.
The Broncos, meanwhile, would get the 2023 Pro Bowler in exchange for a 3rd round pick this year and 2025 2nd and 6th round picks. And the Bears, finally, would get Miami’s 6th round pick this year, plus 2025 third and sixth round picks for Justin Fields.
Would Any Of These Teams Actually Go For This Deal?
Good question. The Denver Broncos, despite the NFL executives, coaches and fans all, to some degree having mixed feelings about Tua Tagovailoa, especially after being demolished in the cold by a previously underperforming Kansas City Chiefs team in the Wild Card round of the 2023 playoffs – would have no mixed feelings about this trade.
To get Tua, and again, I am not necessarily the biggest Tua fan, for a mere 2nd and a 3rd round pick (and 6th), the 2nd of which is not even this year. The Dolphins, would, without question, slam down the phone out of absurdity at the suggestion. The Broncos, accordingly, were the Dolphins bemused enough to propose something like this, would be rushing to the NFL office to finalize the trade before the Dolphins woke up out of their daze.
Especially considering the one quarterback that Payton had fantastic, decade plus long success with – Drew Brees – was very much in the same archetype as Tua: undersized, good character traits, and highly accurate – although whether Tagovailoa can and will match Brees’ pedigree and legacy remains to be seen.
And finally, the Bears. Many Chicago fans will be slighted at the fact that Cummings suggests that Justin Fields would be traded for a little more than a third round pick in 2025 – something resembling a mid-late 3rd rounder in this year’s draft.
However, realistically, that is about what Fields is worth. He has not shown he is a reliable passer in either Matt Nagy or Luke Getsy’s offense, and the good moments he has demonstrated are rarely for periods longer a game or two. He still, no doubt, has the opportunity to be a good quarterback, but for people who believe that Fields will command a 1st or early 2nd round pick in 2024 better keep dreaming.
