While “Sean Payton Likes J.J. McCarthy,” Michael Irvin Not Sure About Russell Wilson’s Replacement

The Denver Broncos’ quest for a franchise quarterback continues, and they need some big names like J.J. McCarthy on their roster. After the team’s costly decision to release Russell Wilson, they hope to reshape his legacy with a new QB. Russell left the Seahawks for the Broncos, only to land with the Pittsburgh Steelers in a surprising turn of events. His presence extended beyond the playing field in Denver, making his departure a major blow.

Even Hall of Famer and analyst Michael Irvin discussed it on The Rich Eisen Show. While head coach Sean Payton reportedly likes quarterbacks like J.J. McCarthy, Irvin remains unconvinced of Wilson’s replacement. This uncertainty adds another layer to the Broncos’ ongoing quarterback mystery.

Sean Payton’s search to fill the void left by Russell

NFL legend Michael Irvin recently weighed in on the quarterback woes plaguing teams like the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. Irvin expressed confusion over the Broncos’ decision to part ways with Russell Wilson. “Sean Peyton liked Drew Brees but he also had Taysom Hill. So I know Sean Peyton likes J.J. McCarthy but can he also go and get him and use Justin Fields as the Taysom Hill of this team and give him an opportunity to make some plays?” he said.

Currently, the Broncos urgently need a talented quarterback to lead their offense. However, their potential target, Justin Fields, was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers alongside Wilson. This leaves the Broncos with Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on the roster. This sudden vacancy makes J.J. McCarthy an even more attractive option. 

Could McCarthy be the answer to Denver’s QB woes?

The team has been left with several options after missing out on Justin Fields and free agents like Kirk Cousins (Atlanta) and Sam Darnold (Minnesota). One exciting possibility is a reunion with Sean Payton’s former Saints weapon, Taysom Hill. Denver’s coaching staff, filled with Payton’s ex-colleagues, could be a natural fit for Hill’s versatile skill set. However, the Broncos desperately need a long-term solution under center.

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That’s where J.J. McCarthy enters the picture. The talented young quarterback is a flashier option than Hill, and the Broncos might be tempted to trade up for him. However, due in part to Russell Wilson’s massive dead money hit, their depleted draft capital makes a significant trade unlikely. The Broncos’ most realistic options lie between two extremes. Sticking with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback is a low-risk but potentially low-reward move. Or else, drafting a rookie quarterback, which requires patience and time.

The sweet spot might be a trade within the first ten picks. To land McCarthy, they’d likely need to leapfrog the Vikings (currently at 11th). Considering their financial constraints, this would require sacrificing a future first-rounder, a tough pill to swallow. Can Sean Payton convince the Broncos to go all-in for McCarthy despite all this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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