The Broncos may do something very unusual at quarterback on Thursday night

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It’s commonplace to rotate receivers, running backs and tight ends during an NFL game. In fact, it can happen on almost every play as different formations are sent in from offensive coordinators.

But rotations along the offensive line are rare. And rotations at the quarterback position are almost unheard of.

In fact, even with all of the Broncos’ woes at quarterback since Peyton Manning left, rotating quarterbacks — at least intentionally — is something they have not even tried.

But don’t countout anything in 2020 — including Denver shuffling their quarterbacks midgame on Thursday night against the New York Jets.

“Pulling quarterbacks in and out, unless you have a good reason to, isn’t something you want to do a whole lot of,” Vic Fangio said on Monday, discussing the Broncos’ quarterback sitution. “But yes, in this situation it could be a mix of the guys.”

As Fangio stated, rotating quarterbacks certainly isn’t ideal. But without Drew Lock, the Broncos’ quarterback situation has been far from ideal. On Sunday, Denver pulled Jeff Driksel after only scoring 10 points through three quarters. In Brett Rypien’s lone series in relief, he threw an interception.

That forced Fangio to leave the door wide open as to who the starting quarterback will be for Denver’s game on Thursday night. Fangio and the Broncos are expected to decide who will be starting under center by Tuesday — just 48 hours before kickoff.

“We don’t want to make a hasty decision,” Fangio said on Monday, explaining the delay on deciding their starting quarterback. “And ultimately come up with the guy we think — or the best combination that we think — will give us the best chance to win the game.”

Even when a starter is announced, the quarterback drama for the week might not be over as Denver could go with a “combination” of quarterbacks.

Blake Bortles, who had his first practice with the team on Thursday, will not be in the equation.

“Blake was here two days last week and to expect him to be able to play this week on a short week where practice will be very limited, I think would be unrealistic,” Fangio said, ruling the experienced Bortles out of the mix for Denver’s short week.

That means it’ll come down to Driskel, Rypien or a combination of both against Sam Darnold and the Jets.