Strike 3: Unless the draft guru’s are wrong, and a guy like Michigan product J.J. McCarthy falls all the way to the 12th spot in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos are likely to either draft a developmental QB prospect in later rounds, and/or just plan to roll with Jarrett Stidham under center next fall. Either way, it looks like another long autumn is in store at Dove Valley.

The prospect of a true, real-time rebuilding year for the Broncos would likely include the notion that losing – a lot – in order to get a high draft pick in 2025 would be the most favorable outcome, even if the players and coaches would strongly disagree. Some in Broncos Country are already hoping the Broncos do poorly enough next season to earn a shot at drafting University of Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.

“Stink for Shedeur!”

This is without a doubt the single dumbest, most asinine Broncos-related idea ever promoted publicly.

Let’s start here: McCarthy would be a great fit for Broncos head coach Sean Payton for this reason: He’s a “system” guy. Has the arm talent and the good feet that are needed, but most importantly, he runs the offense the way a coach calls it. If we’ve learned one thing about Payton, it’s that it’s his way or the highway, period. “Off-schedule” QB’s need not apply.

That’s the thing about Shedeur. He’s the epitome of the “off-schedule” QB. First round NFL arm talent, no doubt. Can escape (not all the time, obviously) and make big plays out of busted plays. Did it a lot for the Buffs last season. And while some of us might prefer to watch quarterbacks who can improvise (like Patrick Mahomes, for example) and make plays with their feet – like former Bronco Russell Wilson was so good at during his career – Payton hates it. That’s the biggest reason Wilson is an ex-Bronco. Payton wants his QB to be a robot. Run the play that Payton sends in, because the coach knows best. Period.

This being the case, there are still those who actually think that Payton would spend a high draft pick on a newer version of Russ? Lol.

That’s not the only reason why Shedeur will never play for Sean Payton. Sanders is also the epitome of what Payton’s mentor, Bill Parcells, openly criticized: The “Celebrity Quarterback.” It’s also what Wilson turned into after marrying a rock star, which was also something that much of Broncos Country couldn’t stand about him. Shedeur – last seen on the runway in Paris doing modeling work for Louis Vuitton – is already a rich, spoiled, celebrity quarterback and hasn’t even been drafted yet.

What’s going on now in Boulder is 100% “Daddy Ball” with Coach Deion and his son. Much ballyhooed and now former CU Buffs offensive coordinator Sean Lewis threw up his hands three quarters through last season and gave up calling plays because Shedeur would not run them the way they were called. Lewis quit and moved on to San Diego State. Shedeur is the de facto OC for the Buffs these days. And Coach/Daddy Deion is fine with it.

Does anyone think any of this is lost on Sean Payton? Like he wouldn’t talk to Sean Lewis and find out?

Come on, people.

The Broncos may very well stink next season, but it won’t be so they can draft a guy who’s just like the guy Payton jettisoned.

Besides, when Jerry Jones hires Deion to coach the Dallas Cowboys next season, Daddy Ball will be moving on to Big D.