According to Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald, the Denver Broncos could create about $62 million in salary cap space by cutting or reorganizing player contacts on Dec. 22. It will take work to get there without completely weakening the team.For head coach Sean Payton’s “ideal” quarterback, Baker Mayfield, it might be worth it.”Take out the financial implications of losing Russell Wilson, and Mayfield would be the Broncos’ most logical No. 1. His ability to run timing routes quickly and accurately makes him a perfect matchup for Sean Payton’s offense,” 9News Broncos insider Mike Klis wrote January 28th.”The problem is the Broncos have cap issues and Mayfield just played one year out of a $4 million contract…possibly a new three-year $75-100 million deal.”Mayfield, 28, was the first overall pick in 2018.After four seasons with the Cleveland Browns to start his career, Mayfield split the 2022 season between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams, where the latter opts for a one-season extension. year, $6.8 million contract (with incentives) to Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers this season. 4,444 Mayfield completed 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2023. Mayfield has 4,444 wins this offseason after being named MVP by the Pro Football Writers of America. But his return to Tampa the following season was strong.”My understanding is that the Bucs want Baker Mayfield back next year,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Jan. 21. “He also wants to come back and maybe cash in on a real, big quarterback contract. They also have the franchise tag, but hopefully they can work it out.Klis acknowledges the likelihood of a Mayfield return. But points out that a possible sequence of events that could work in favor of the Broncos.”“The prevailing thought is that Mayfield will be back with the Bucs before he hits free agency.Klis wrote. “But if Tampa Bay can’t trade receiver Mike Evans to Carolina after losing offensive coordinator Dave Canales, Mayfield could keep his options open.”Former Sean Payton QB Jameis Winston could be a cheap pick for the Broncos. The Broncos will have Jarrett Stidham competing for a starting spot next season, and he wants to do it.If the Broncos want to bring in another veteran and rookie (and Ben DiNucci) to compete with him, New Orleans Saints free agent Jameis Winston could be an option. It wouldn’t be the first time he came to start Payton’s career.However, Klis’ proposal contains a word of caution.“2024. The Jameis Winston coming into 2018 will not be the same Jameis Winston that came into 2020 when Payton signed him as a backup to Drew Brees.Winston has only started three games since then. Two years of inactivity is a long time for a 30-year-old quarterback at this point, but again, the price is right, and Payton saved Winston’s career when he might have wanted to end it.Winston threw 47 passes last season.He completed 53.2% of those for 264 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also logged three starts in 2022.More importantly, he completed 59% of his passes for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions under Payton in 2021. These are not the best numbers in the world. But the Broncos may or may not be working in a tight financial situation. OtherKilis recommendations range from seniors and/or tight ends like Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill to journeymen like Gardner Minshew and backups like Jake Browning and Mason Rudolph. If the Broncos wanted to go that route, they might as well try to stick with Wilson..