In the span of just a few days, the 2016 Denver Broncos offseason became incredibly complicated. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, fresh off the second Super Bowl victory of his illustrious NFL career, called it quits on the league he'd been a part of for nearly two decades. Then, the man expected to take over for Manning, longtime heir apparent Brock Osweiler, signed a mammoth NFL free agent deal to join the Houston Texans.
Suddenly, the Broncos and GM John Elway were left holding the bag, looking both directions and wondering in vain where all of their signal-calling talent had gone. And while the trade to acquire Mark Sanchez adds talent and competition to a position that was suddenly comprised solely of Trevor Siemian, there's almost zero chance that's the only move Elway makes.
Looking around at the crop of free agent quarterbacks and available NFL trade pieces though, it's clear that Elway's options are limited. But at least one more addition should probably be made before the 2016 NFL Draft. And while Colin Kaepernick has been a popular name to connect to the Broncos, would a guy like Brian Hoyer actually prove a better fit (assuming, of course, Elway can get over the intense anger he likely feels toward the Texans)?
Hoyer, per a report from earlier this offseason, enjoys playing for Texans head coach Bill O'Brien and had been indicating a preference to remain in Houston, even after O'Brien shelled out $70 million for Osweiler. Recently though, it's been suggested that the Texans and the veteran journeyman are "headed for a divorce" and looking for a fresh start.
Should it come to pass, it would be the fifth fresh start of Hoyer's seven-year NFL career. At age 30, the former Patriot, Cardinal, Brown and possible Texan probably doesn't have many more fresh starts in him.
Hoyer landing with the Broncos would, in the eyes of fans, be a big letdown, especially considering the much-discussed chase Elway has engaged in for Kaep.
But here's the thing - you acquire Kaep with the expectation that he becomes your starting quarterback. You pay a premium of some kind - even a fourth-round pick seems high for a guy with Kaepernick's skillset, but seemingly diminishing capacity as an NFL quarterback - and add him to the mix with Sanchez and likely a 2016 NFL Draft pick and hope that a winner emerges.
With Hoyer, limited though he may be, you'd pay far less to acquire him and suddenly you'd have two quarterbacks with starting ability and experience on your roster and the freedom to select a quarterback of the future wherever you want in the draft, with options for a starter heading into the season.
Really, what it boils down to here is whether Elway actually believes Kaepernick is a potential franchise signal-caller. If he's just a guy, just another body on the roster with the potential to guide a win-now Broncos team with the league's stoutest defense that really needs only middling quarterback production to win, then don't pay what the Niners are asking.
Considering Elway hasn't ponied up yet, it's unlikely that he views Kaep as anything even remotely resembling a long-term answer at the position.
At that point, a cheaper option like Hoyer makes the most sense. Yes, the Texans stole Osweiler away. But that was Oz's choice, to spurn the Broncos and chase the money - all Houston did was offer it to him.
The Broncos don't need Kaep - not at the current price tag.
What they need is to shore up the position further via free agency or trade before selecting a guy like Christian Hackenberg or Dak Prescott, a player they're said to be enamored with, in the draft.
