George Paton proclaimed Tuesday the Broncos have narrowed their choices for a quarterback to signing a free agent, trading for a veteran, selecting a QB in the draft, bringing back Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock and/or Brett Rypien.

“We just want the best guy,’’ Paton said during his press conference at The NFL Combine. “We’re going to exhaust all options.’’

Well, not really. The G-Man has eliminated luring a Tom Brady or Philip Rivers out of retirement, resigning Anthony Gordon (who was on the practice squad at the end of the season), persuading Paxton Lynch or Kyle Sloter to rejoin the Broncos rather than play in the updated version of the USFL or grabbing a player from the Mile High Eagles semi-pro team.

Broncos GM George Paton addresses free agency, futures of multiple players including Melvin Gordon, Bradley Chubb

Nathaniel Hackett was correspondingly informative when he followed the general manager to the podium. Asked about dealing for Aaron Rodgers, the coach replied: “Who?’’

At one point Paton said he was “chomping at the bit’’ when he actually meant “champing at the bit’’, an appropriate term for Broncos since the phrase is about an impatient horse.

In less than two weeks the Broncos’ quarterback quandary will be clearer considerably because unrestricted free agents officially can sign and trades can be made March 16. The draft is April 28-30.

Plan A is a deal for Rodgers. Plan B, which John Elway once refused to deliberate, is a trade for Russell Wilson. Plan C is everything else under the sun except for both Bridgewater and Lock competing for a starting job again. If Paton makes that detested decision, he should grab a flag and act like he’s leading a parade while being bum-rushed out of Colorado.

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If the Broncos can get Rodgers or Wilson, Paton and Hackett likely will have to include Lock, in the last year of his rookie contract, and Bridgewater will go back to the Saints or the Vikings.

The hopes and dreams of Denver will be crushed when Aaron and Russell remain where they are, which they will.

Despite the wishes of some Denver football fanatics, the Broncos will not make a play for Deshawn Watson, who doesn’t want to be here, without a new owner involved. Paton could trade a second or third round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins, or they can offer contracts to Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.

However, the No. 1 free agent should be former No. 2 draft selection Mitch Trubisky.

The Broncos, as I recommended weeks ago, ought to sign Trubisky.

And they should pick Nevada’s Carson Strong in the second round.

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Paton and Hackett are familiar enough with Trubisky after all three were in the NFC North. The Vikings played against Trubisky and the Bears from 2017-2020, and Hackett joined the Packers in 2019. Trubisky had an 5-2 record over four seasons vs. Minnesota, but he lost all four games when Hackett was Green Bay’s offensive coordinator.

Trubisky won in Denver in 2019, 16-14.

In his stint with the Bears Trubisky compiled a 29-21 record (three winning seasons), including an 11-3 mark in 2018 and a 16-15 playoff loss to the Eagles. He compiled 10,652 passing yards with 74 touchdowns and 38 interceptions.

Mitch was branded a bust and run out of Chicago.

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Yet, Trubisky signed on with the Bills last season to be Josh Allen’s backup. He rarely played, but was exposed to a terrific offensive system. At least four teams – the Steelers, the Saints, the Commanders and the Broncos — are expected to make a run at Trubisky as a potential starter.

Paton and Hackett must know something.

The GM personally scouted the top five quarterbacks in a weak draft for the position. Kenny Pickett will be chosen first, followed by Malik Willis and Matt Corral, who is OK, and Sam Howell. Strong will be next. He is an elevated risk because of knee surgeries in 2017 and a year ago this month. But Strong has the strongest arm of the bunch, was a three-season starter, completed 68 percent of his passes and had 74 touchdowns (same as Trubisky) with 19 interceptions. He threw for four scores in his final game at Colorado State – a 52-10 victory.

The Broncos may end up with two quality quarterbacks for the price of none.