Former Vols QB could play an important role in the NFL this week
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who was signed by the Denver Broncos earlier this month, could play a very important role for an NFL team this week. Guarantano could serve as Denver's No. 2 quarterback this week against the Arizona Cardinals. If Russell Wilson doesn't play against Arizona on Sunday, Guarantano will serve as […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who was signed by the Denver Broncos earlier this month, could play a very important role for an NFL team this week.
Guarantano could serve as Denver's No. 2 quarterback this week against the Arizona Cardinals.
If Russell Wilson doesn't play against Arizona on Sunday, Guarantano will serve as the Broncos' primary backup quarterback.
Oddly enough, Guarantano initially signed with the Cardinals after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Guarantano was released by Arizona in early October.
Wilson is currently in the concussion protocol, so his availability for Sunday is up in the air. Brett Rypien, the nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, would start for Denver if Wilson can't play.
Guarantano hasn't seen any regular season NFL action yet, though he played in each of Arizona's preseason games.
The former Vol had an up-and-down career in college, but that wasn't entirely his fault. Guarantano had four different offensive coordinators during his time at Tennessee. He also had four different quarterbacks coaches. That's not exactly a recipe for success. Additionally, Guarantano played in an archaic offense his last couple of seasons at UT that didn't play to his strengths.
While Guarantano never turned into the superstar that Vols fans thought he would be when he signed with UT, he proved to be one of the toughest players to ever take the field at Neyland Stadium. Guarantano played half of the 2019 season (his best season at UT) with a broken left hand that required surgery. He also took a beating at times, but he always battled through the nagging injuries.
JG wasn't perfect, but he clearly has talent. He wouldn't be in a spot to operate as an NFL team's top backup if that wasn't the case.
Featured image via Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
