At least this season the Broncos know that they won’t have to play Kyle Orton hurt as Chris Simms isn’t around anymore.  The 27-year old Orton had the best year of his career last season and the Broncos hope he can repeat it in 2010.  Orton played in all 16 games for the Broncos last season in which he completed 336 of 541 passes (62.1%) for 3,802 yards with 21 TD passes and 12 INTs (86.8 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 24 times for 71 yards (3.0 ypc) last season.  Orton might not have the strongest arm in the league but it’s good enough to get the job done.  He has now played in 49 games in his NFL career and he has completed 841 of 1,454 passes (57.8%) for 9,121 yards with 51 TD passes and 39 INTs (76.9 QB Rating).  Orton has also carried the ball 77 times for 163 yards (2.1 ypc) with 3 TD runs in his career.  Orton has led his team to a 29-19 career record (60.4%) when he starts a game as he is a winner.

25-year old Brady Quinn was acquired in the off-season in a trade with the Browns and he will likely be the #2 QB in 2010.  He played in 10 games for the Browns last season and he completed 136 of 256 passes (53.1%) for 1,339 yards with 8 TD passes and 7 INTs (67.2 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 20 times for 98 yards (4.9 ypc) with 1 TD run last season for the Browns.  Quinn is a lot like Orton as he isn’t the best athlete around and he doesn’t have a strong arm.  The Broncos hope that putting better players around Quinn will bring out the best in him.  Quinn has now played in 14 games in his NFL career and he has completed 184 of 353 passes (52.1%) for 1,902 yards with 10 TD passes and 9 INTs (66.8 QB Rating).  Quinn has also carried the ball 25 times for 119 yards (4.8 ypc) with 1 TD run in his NFL career.  Quinn is 3-9 (25%) as a starting QB in the NFL.

Rookie QB Tim Tebow has already passed 25-year old Tom Brandstater on the depth chart.  The Broncos gave up a lot for Tebow and they likely expect him to start in the near future (2011 or 2012).  Brandstater will likely only make the Broncos’ roster if Orton, Quinn or Tebow get hurt.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BRONCOS QBs in 2010:  B-

UPDATE:  (6/4/2010) - The Broncos have released Tom Brandstater.  He was passed up quickly on the depth chart by Tim Tebow and the Broncos weren’t going to carry 4 QBs in 2010.