I don't see this as anything but speculation, but I post it for what it is worth.Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post reported on Friday that many are pegging the Broncos as the top landing spot for the Buffalo Bills quarterback if he is released or traded, as expected. Jhabvala also notes Taylor’s connection with Broncos executive Gary Kubiak, who was previously the former Pro Bowler’s offensive coordinator on the Baltimore Ravens.
Denver’s QB play was atrocious last season — their trio under center of Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Brock Osweiler always seemed to be injured, totally inept, or some combination of both. As for Taylor, he endured a rough year in Buffalo where he put up his career-worst numbers as a starter and was briefly benched for Nathan Peterman before his season came to a painful end.
Taylor, 28, will be owed a $10 million base salary for 2018 and a $6 million roster bonus due in March. But in any case, he probably has at least the raw talent to make a short-term difference for the Broncos after their 5-11 2017.
In this scenario, Denver would be starting Tyrod Taylor and eschewing trying to land Kirk Cousins for $30m, and then drafting a QB with their top 5 draft pick and developing that guy. Taylor would start until the guy is ready.
They would pay him less than $20m potentially, which is pretty low QB money these days. And he wouldn't be guaranteed a long term starting job. But, he could compete and could wind up starting for the next 2 years if he's able to fend off the rookie, the way that Trevor beat off the feeble efforts of Paxton to be the starter.
I'd say this is a high risk strategy in that it might backfire horribly, but it would cost a lot less. If Elway were committed to saving money on his QB, then he might go in this direction, and forget about paying over $20m a year to Cousins or Bridgewater or AJ McCarron - or in some Bizarro Universe where the Chefs were willing to let Alex Smith come to Denver, Alex Smith.
On the other hand, Taylor would be another example of "Overachieving 7th round QB" and you have to question his limitations. I see this as a "meh" move. Neither horrible, like Sam Bradford, nor great, like Cousins.