Sam Ehlinger might have just locked down the backup QB spot in Denver. After that win over the Vikings, the guy dropped three touchdowns, even with an early interception. Broncos Country was already hyped on him *before* that game, but after seeing him sling it like that, you gotta wonder if he pushed himself past the presumed No. 3 right into that No. 2 slot. Three TDs is huge, no matter who you’re playing, or when.
Payton’s Scramble on the Sidelines
Head coach Sean Payton was clearly pumped, especially after Ehlinger’s second touchdown. It went down as a 14-yard pass to Cody Schrader, who was absolutely the player-of-the-night, but Payton saw a lot more to it. He said that play was really like a 30-yard scramble where Ehlinger was rolling out, then somehow found Schrader wide open. Payton was so hyped, he chest-bumped No. 4 on the sidelines. He explained it wasn’t just about the TD. He was actually relieved Ehlinger didn’t crash into him! “Well, there’s more to it than that,” Payton said. He added, “After he threw it, he was falling backwards and I kind of was in the white … two more feet and my concern was all of a sudden the ball hit my chest and I’m the reason he doesn’t throw it. I was excited for him. It was a really good [throw].” That kind of sideline drama just shows how intense these roster battles get. Oh, and you saw the clip of Schrader’s TD, right? CODY MFN SCHRADER TOUCHDOWN! Man, that guy can ball. And Justin Joly’s 88-yard touchdown? WIDE ASS OPEN. Those are the plays that make you sit up and take notice.
The Waiting Game and What Comes Next
So, with all this momentum, will the Broncos keep three quarterbacks? Payton kept it short and sweet, just saying, “we’ll see.” Ehlinger knows the drill, that’s just the life of a backup QB. But he laid it all out there. Now he waits for the decision. “When it comes down to roster decisions and things of that nature, it’s completely out of my control,” Ehlinger said. He’s not letting the unknown mess with his confidence, adding, “I don’t derive my confidence from the result of what happens with numbers. I have great confidence in this organization, and the relationships that we have and the way that they’ve handled things up until this point. So I’m in a really good spot.” If he doesn’t stay in Denver, he’s ready for whatever new opportunity comes his way. But honestly, his mind is on something way bigger than making the roster right now. “Well my wife’s due date is on Tuesday. So I might be in the hospital having my first son,” he revealed. “That’s what it could look like.” Talk about high stakes, huh? Trying to secure your job while getting ready to welcome your first kid into the world? That’s some serious real-life drama playing out.
As for other football news, you saw the Seattle Seahawks finished in a 9-9 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs. Wild. But back in Denver, everyone’s watching to see if Ehlinger’s incredible performance and impending fatherhood will cement his spot on that roster. We’ll be watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
Leave a Reply