The Denver Broncos hosted E.J. Warner, son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, as one of the college free agent tryouts during their recent rookie minicamp. Warner was one of two QBs on hand, joining veteran free agent Nathan Peterman.
In the end, all has been quiet in terms of a deal for Warner.
However, both the quarterback and Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke candidly about their encounter.
E.J. Warner Gets Honest After Broncos Rookie Minicamp
GettyThe Denver Broncos got a closer look at E.J. Warner in rookie minicamp.
The Broncos, whose QB room includes starter Bo Nix and backups Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger, were Warner’s second tryout after the Kansas City Chiefs.
Warner might not get a contract at this time, but he certainly appreciated the experience.
“It can be difficult. You hear one word and it means this and then you hear the same word and it means something else. But it’s football,” Warner said, per The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel in a post on May 8, adding that he “grew up learning systems with my dad all the time.”
Warner had a productive collegiate career, throwing for 10,844 yards and 71 touchdowns on 61.6% completion over the past four seasons.
Despite his production and experience, Warner still went undrafted.
Sean Payton Gets Honest About E.J. Warner
GettySean Payton spoke candidly about quarterback E.J. Warner after the Denver Broncos’ rookie minicamp.
The Broncos could certainly call Warner back for their upcoming set of OTAs and veteran minicamps, with Nix limited following surgery to repair a broken bone in his ankle.
Payton said the Broncos would “discuss” adding a QB and that Warner was a “real quick” study.
“We have 90 [players allowed]. So, it is possible you can bring someone back in on a trial basis for the minicamp. And yet, generally with those practices, two [QBs] is not a problem. It would be more of an issue if you felt a player was going to be [physically unable to perform] in training camp, and that’s not going to be the case,” Payton told reporters on May 9.
“I’m not saying we couldn’t sign an additional quarterback. We’ve discussed it, but really more in terms of, ‘Do we see something in these two guys,’ or–you know. This Warner looks, reminds me a lot of Chase Daniel. If you see his height, weight, size, speed, they’re very similar. He’s done a nice job. He’s done a very nice job. And especially considering he’s coming off a weekend with different terminology, and he’s kind of yawned at it.”
Nix is expected to be full-go by training camp in August, and the Broncos have Ehlinger and Stidham–both of whom have started regular-season games in their respective careers–as their two options until then.
The Warner still clearly made a positive impression on Payton during his short time with the Broncos in minicamp.
E.J. Warner Not Like Hall of Fame Father
GettyKurt Warner likened son E.J. Warner’s path to his own in the NFL.
Payton fielded a question about whether it was easier to hold off on comparing Warner to his Hall of Fame father since he is shorter. Kurt Warner is 6-foot-2, whereas E.J. Warner is 5-foot-11, which is also Payton’s height.
Payton said E.J. is “entirely different” from Kurt.
He also joked about bigger school prospects getting hyped up, but that the NFL also boasts a number of legends from smaller schools.
“He’s just really stood out with getting in and out of the huddle. He’s got a quick release, good stroke,” Payton said. “Different type player even. He’s probably more celebrated coming out of Fresno than his dad was coming out of Northern Iowa, and that’s it.”
Kurt Warner touted his son’s intelligence and Payton’s history with the undersized Drew Brees.
He also spoke realistically about the path E.J. Warner is on, noting how it took time for his own career to get off the ground.
“For me, it took me a long time after Green Bay to find another opportunity, to get that opportunity – but I always believed that if I got a true opportunity, I would succeed,” the elder Warner said, per The Denver Post’s Luca Evans on May 6. “And he believes that exact thing, right now. So, that’s what we’re chasing, that’s what he’s chasing.”
Kurt Warner signed with the Green Bay Packers as a UDFA in 1994. He joined the then-St. Louis Rams in 1997. He waited another two years before his first NFL start. His journey included a missed tryout with the Chicago Bears and a stint in the now-defunct NFL Europe.
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