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Former Texas Star QB Receives Major NFL News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 8:31 PM ET

Sam Ehlinger has found a new home. Reports indicate the former Texas Longhorns quarterback, who spent the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, is joining Sean Payton's Denver Broncos on a one-year deal.

Ehlinger chose Denver over multiple other destinations. He'll be tutored by quarterbacks coach Davis Webb and work alongside Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham. Zach Wilson left for Miami, opening up the Broncos' third-string quarterback job.

Ehlinger appeared in eight games for the Colts, going 0-3 as a starter in 2022.

Only Colt McCoy racked up more passing yards and passing touchdowns than Ehlinger did at Texas. Ehlinger's 27 wins as a starting signal-caller are the fourth-most in Longhorns lore. He started 43 games behind center and was a two-time team captain.

Indianapolis took Sam Ehlinger in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the first Texas passer to be drafted since McCoy was in 2010. When Ehlinger was selected, he was one of three players in FBS history to throw for at least 11,000 career yards and run for more than 1,500.

Payton will continue to build around Nix, who went 10-7 as a rookie last season after being taken with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix threw for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 66.3% of his passes.

Nix also guided the Broncos back to the postseason for the first time since 2015 when they won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning at the controls. Denver lost 31-7 at Buffalo in the Wild Card round.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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