Getty Joe Flacco
The Denver Broncos have finally decided on their backup quarterback entering the 2019 season.
After releasing Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien during the roster cutdown on Saturday afternoon, the Broncos were left without a backup to starter Joe Flacco. The Broncos have now solved that dilemma as they’ve signed Brandon Allen to be Flacco’s presumed backup, according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports.
“The Broncos were in need of a backup quarterback and they found one on the waiver wire.
According to multiple reports, the Broncos have claimed former Jaguars and Rams quarterback Brandon Allen off of waivers. Allen was a needed addition as the Broncos cut Kevin Hogan on Saturday and are placing second-round pick Drew Lock on injured reserve Sunday.
Allen was a 2016 sixth-round pick in Jacksonville and landed with the Rams as a waiver claim in 2017. He has never played in the regular season, but did play against and apparently impress the Broncos this preseason.”
The move comes as a bit of a surprise considering Allen has never appeared in an NFL game. He did however, appear in the Los Angeles Rams‘ preseason game against Denver a week ago, where he completed 12-of-19 passes for 162 yards in a 10-6 win over the Broncos. That must have impressed Broncos’ brass enough to sign him as the immediate backup to Flacco.
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Broncos Pass on Brian Hoyer — for Now
Denver had been linked to other veteran quarterbacks — notably ones with experience — such as Brian Hoyer. Hoyer won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots as Tom Brady‘s backup last season and has actually spent five total seasons as Brady’s backup. Furthermore, the 33-year-old has a plethora of starting quarterback experienced, having started for four different teams from 2014 through 2017.
Outside of his experience, Hoyer also had spent time as the starting quarterback in offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s system — which is derived from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree.
Instead of going with Hoyer — an established veteran who had a cap hit of $1.7 million for the 2019 season — John Elway will once again go for frugality, as he signs the cheaper option. The 26-year-old Allen was due to be paid $645,000 by the Rams this season. Considering he has no NFL playing experience, we can expect his salary to be around the same with the Broncos.
The Broncos will go with Allen as the backup quarterback until rookie second-round draft pick Drew Lock recovers from his sprained right thumb injury. Lock was placed on injured reserve and can return to play after the first eight weeks of the season.
However, well-known sports reporter and Colorado Springs Gazette writer Woody Paige reported that Lock wouldn’t return to play this season.
“Lock would have been the No. 2 QB; Butt was supposed to be a contributing tight end, and Riddick was signed as a third-down back. When Lock tore a ligament in his right thumb, I reported, based on a reputable professional team doctor’s evaluation, that he would be sidelined six weeks or more although others claimed he might miss two weeks. Elway acknowledged that Lock “is several weeks away”, confirming the report. He won’t be back this season, and Butt and Reddick also won’t be ready any time soon.”
Obviously, that would be a nightmare scenario for the Broncos. Let’s hope that Lock does return this season — Broncos Nation does not want Brandon Allen as the primary backup to Flacco for the 2019 season.
Broncos Re-Sign Brett Rypien — to Practice Squad
In other major news, the Broncos have brought back one of their former quarterbacks — none other than Brett Rypien.
While the Broncos decided Rypien wasn’t ready for the active roster, they did deem him good enough for the practice squad, as reported by Mike Kils of 9News.
Rypien completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions during the preseason. The 23-year-old quarterback is familiar with the Broncos’ system and represents an insurance policy in case Flacco gets injured or Allen gets released.
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