The Broncos have reached out to free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick's representatives, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, though Denver currently is unwilling to pay the salary that the quarterback is seeking.
The preliminary talks come as the Broncos search for their next starting quarterback following Brock Osweiler's decision to sign with the Houston Texans and the retirement of Peyton Manning.
The Broncos and Fitzpatrick could revisit those talks down the line, but for now, Denver will monitor Fitzpatrick's situation while continuing its attempt to bring in another quarterback to compete with Mark Sanchez, sources said.
The Broncos traded for Sanchez on Friday, sending a conditional draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway called that the "first step in our process" in a tweet.
Trevor Siemian is the other quarterback currently on the Broncos' roster.
Fitzpatrick, 33, threw for 3,905 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2015, his first season with the New York Jets. The Jets have been in a stalemate with Fitzpatrick and are nowhere close to an agreement, sources told Schefter.
The Jets met with Robert Griffin III over the weekend as the team considers other quarterback options, sources told Schefter. Although they have downplayed the visit as "due diligence" out of respect to their contract talks with Fitzpatrick, the Jets have legitimate interest in Griffin, sources said.
