Why the Broncos should consider trading for QB Sam Howell

The Denver Broncos still desperately need a viable starting quarterback and with several options out of their price range, betting on a young, inexpensive passer makes sense.

After recently releasing Russell Wilson, the Broncos plan to double up at the most important position, per Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver. They will select a quarterback with the 12th overall pick in the draft and add another through trade or free agency. He listed Washington's Sam Howell as one option.

"This would have to be a trade. Which is possible as Washington is certain to nab a quarterback with its No. 2 overall draft pick, be it Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye," Klis wrote of the 23-year-old. "Howell finished with a 4-13 record, 21 touchdowns against 21 interceptions and was sacked an alarming 65 times – the fourth most ever in an NFL season. Still, he was impressive against the Broncos in a 35-33 win [in Week 2], completing 27 of 39 for 299 yards, 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions."

Despite the turnovers, Howell flashed some potential last season, finishing 12th in the league in passing yards (3,946) ahead of stars like Baltimore's Lamar Jackson (3,678 in 16 games) and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts (3,858 in 17 games). He could improve under Denver head coach Sean Payton, a QB guru. 

Kirk Cousins is expected to enter free agency on Wednesday, but his market value is a three-year deal worth $39.3M annually. Even though they've made some cost-cutting moves, the Broncos only have $25.5M in cap room due to Wilson's $85M cap hit. 

Ryan Tannehill and Jacoby Brissett are also scheduled to become free agents, but both are stop-gaps and offer little upside.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is still waiting to see if a team will offer a second-rounder for Justin Fields. The Broncos don't have a second-round pick and can't afford to lose more high-draft capital. 

Howell's 2024 base salary is $985K. Zack Rosenblatt of the Athletic predicted the Broncos would acquire him, and a "third- or fourth-round pick should do the trick."

While the former fifth-round pick won't become the face of the franchise, he could be a decent bridge QB and a better option than Jarrett Stidham. The 27-year-old Stidham went 1-1 in two starts last season, completing 60.6 percent of his passes for two TDs, one pick and a below-average 87.7 passer rating.