If the Broncos pursued a veteran backup quarterback, as they did last year, or used a high draft pick on a youngster to groom behind Jake Plummer, don’t expect Bradlee Van Pelt to pitch a fit.
In a strange way, Van Pelt almost welcomes it.
“It wouldn’t bother me at all,” Van Pelt said. “I kind of hope they do. You have to earn your spot, and I haven’t earned anything yet. I think I will. But everyone needs competition, and I think I’m up for winning any competition that’s put in front of me.”
The former Colorado State star certainly did last summer. He went to training camp as the No. 4 quarterback, and on the fifth day he leapfrogged veteran Danny Kanell and fellow 2004 seventh-round draft pick Matt Mauck. Van Pelt held onto the backup job. Kanell and Mauck were released.
Van Pelt scored at Kansas City on his first NFL play, a 7-yard quarterback draw, and helped the Broncos put away San Diego in the season finale with Plummer on the bench.
Coach Mike Shanahan said this week the team is committed to Van Pelt but that it’s always open to looking for new talent. If another quarterback joined the team, the Broncos would likely keep three quarterbacks on the roster after keeping two the past few years. But it’s unlikely Denver will look for an established veteran backup, as it did last year in free agency with Gus Frerotte and Jeff Garcia.
“I need to prove to this team that I’m the guy of the future and the guy who they want backing up Jake now,” Van Pelt said. “I’m starting to do that, but I have to work even harder in the offseason to accomplish that.”
Part of Van Pelt’s offseason improvement plan is spending extensive time in the film room with Shanahan.
“Watching film with Coach Shanahan will help me see things that I’m missing on the field,” Van Pelt said. “You have to think as a coach on the field, and Coach Shanahan will help me in that aspect of the game.”
Footnote
Shanahan said the team doesn’t anticipate any offseason surgeries.
