The Broncos' use of a 'designated survivor' for their QBs is brilliant and should be copied

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The Denver Broncos had disaster strike last week when all of their QBs were prevented from playing in Week 12 because of COVID-19 protocols. They then had to turn to a practice squad WR to be their QB against the Saints and things went as everyone thought they would go.

Going forward, the Broncos are making sure something like that doesn’t happen again by doing something that other teams might want to take notice of down the stretch – they’re basically hiding Blake Bortles from the rest of the team as a “designated survivor” that would ensure they would have a QB ready to play if things took a bad turn again.

The “designated survivor” term, of course, comes from the government’s plans during the State of the Union or presidential inaugurations in which it names a person in the presidential line of succession who will remain in a safe location in the event disaster strikes.

There was a Kiefer Sutherland show on FOX by the same name that I never saw but maybe you did and you have a better understanding for how it works because of that.

Basically, Bortles will work from home but stop into the facilities for his COVID-19 tests and whatnot but will be kept away from the team. Then if something happens to the QBs he can jump right into the lineup.

This could be something playoff-bound teams start looking at down the stretch, especially teams that are favorites to make a run. COVID-19 cases are only rising at what seem like incredible rates and any outbreak within a contending team could prevent them from winning a Super Bowl.

The undefeated Steelers would want to keep Ben Roethlisberger protected because they know how bad their football team can be without him.

The Kansas City Chiefs could look to protect Patrick Mahomes because he’s the best QB in the league and is looking to lead his team to a second straight title.

The Packers would see their season go to waste if Aaron Rodgers wasn’t able to play.

Russell Wilson with the Seahawks is having a MVP-type season and would be the difference for Seattle in their postseason run.

Keeping big-name QBs who can skate by with missing in-person practices down the stretch of this season could be the difference in a season that has been unlike any other.

It has been a wild year, one that has made all of us think more carefully about our safety and our health.

I’d think NFL teams would want to do the same with their most prized players.

Who knows, maybe that could be why they end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Tampa in February.

Quick hits: Secret behind Watson’s success… NFL picks against the spread… D.C. will miss John Wall… And more.

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– My pal Steve Ruiz talked to Deshaun Watson’s QB coach and found out how Watson was able to get even better while his team fell apart.

– Steven and Charles Curtis are back with their NFL Week 13 picks against the spread.

– Mike Sykes is a diehard Wizards fans and explains why the city of Washington D.C. will really miss John Wall.

– Henry McKenna looks at 13 QBs, including Dak Prescott and Matt Ryan, who could be on new teams next year.

– Dan Le Batard is leaving ESPN.

– Le’Veon Bell is the latest pro athlete to say he’d fight Jake Paul. Hopefully all of this stops soon.

– Did Warner Bros. kill movie theaters for good on Thursday? The internet thought so.