Report: Sam Ehlinger turned down two 53-man roster spots to stay with Denver Broncos

According to Jordan Schultz, quarterback Sam Ehlinger will remain with the Denver Broncos despite not making the 53-man roster. Ehlinger will sign on to the team’s practice squad despite having other opportunities elsewhere.

“Sources: #Broncos backup QB Sam Ehlinger turned down two 53-man roster opportunities on other teams (he is not subject to waivers as a vested veteran), to start the season on the Denver’s practice squad,” Schultz said via X. “Ehlinger loves the Broncos’ QB room with Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham + rising star QBs coach Davis Webb, and believes in the team and their bright future.”

Ehlinger got an extended run in all three Broncos preseason games, consistently putting up solid performances. He finished with 415 yards and two touchdowns while completing 73.7% of his 57 pass attempts. The lone blemish you will find for Ehlinger is an interception in the finale against the New Orleans Saints.

“I thought that Sam did a fantastic job,” Sean Payton said after the Saints game. “And some of the, some of his gifts are with his feet, his athleticism, um… there’s a little moxie and leadership to him that obviously you saw when he played in college. Shoot, I watched him beat Georgia here in a big bowl game. So, he did a good job.”

The previous four years for Ehlinger were spent in Indianapolis with the Colts. Taken No. 218 overall in the sixth round back in 2021, some regular season starts were earned. Ehlinger led the Colts out there three times in 2022. Unfortunately, all resulted in losses for a 0-3 career record thus far.

After his rookie contract ran out, Ehlinger signed an agreement with Denver this offseason. At first, the goal surely was to find a way to make the team. But with what the Broncos have in the room, finding a spot for Ehlinger proved to be too difficult. Nix, a former first-round pick, is entering his second season starting and Stidham is another experienced backup.

Based on Schultz’s reports, teams would have been willing to keep Ehlinger on their roster as a backup. being a part of the 53-man might bring a little more security but Ehlinger appears bought in to what the Broncos are building. It’s the franchise’s second year under head coach Sean Payton.

Denver opens up the season against the Tennessee Titans at home on Sept. 7. Ehlinger might wind up playing the role of rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who will be playing in his first career NFL game. While the mobility might not be exactly the same, Ehlinger can help the Broncos’ defense get as prepared as possible.