Last year at the NFL scouting combine, the unspoken veteran quarterback that Vance Joseph was peppered with questions about was Tony Romo. The Broncos had Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch on their roster, but no clear starter and no clear future and, well, Romo was likely in need of a new job.

Romo found one — at CBS. And Joseph and the Broncos slogged through a 5-11 season with a rotating cast of starters, none of whom are expected to retain the job this coming season.

Next week at the combine in Indianapolis, Joseph will likely be peppered with questions again about acquiring veteran quarterback talent. Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum and AJ McCarron are among the list of those who will soon hit the open market, in mid-March, and the Broncos could be among the quarterback-needy teams eager to dole out new (and big) checks. Related Articles Kiszla: After Broncos lose to Pittsburgh and begin another NFL season 0-2, veteran Shelby Harris sounds warning: “We’ve got to change the culture”

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“We all understand on how the quarterback position has a direct influence on how your team plays,” Joseph said Thursday at a charitable bike distribution for students in Denver. “Obviously we have to get better there, whoever is going to be the quarterback. That being said, we can get better in a lot of areas, like protecting the quarterback, continuing to run the football better and to play dominant defense. Having a quarterback that can help us become a more efficient offense and help us score more points and not turn the ball over, that can only help us get better. But we have to focus not only on that, but also on other parts of the football team.”

The Broncos could chase a veteran to solve their quarterback riddle, and many expect them to do just that. But they have options and plenty of decisions to make before names can even be mentioned. Should general manager John Elway win the Cousins sweepstakes and take on what will likely be the biggest contract in NFL history, other moves will be required to make room on the Broncos’ books.

Two names that have come up often in the discussion of potential cuts or trades are veteran cornerback Aqib Talib and running back C.J. Anderson. Talib was selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls as a Bronco and Anderson just turned in the Broncos’ first 1,000-yard season by a back since 2013. But collectively the two would save the team $15.5 million in salary cap space if they’re released.

“It’s our goal to keep all of our good players, but obviously it’s a business where every year you have to do a self-evaluation of what’s best for our football team,” Joseph said. “If those guys are the best fit for our football them, then they’ll be here. Doing what’s best for the Broncos, it’s John (Elway)’s job and John is going to do a great job at that. We want every player that can help us win football games here. But it’s also a business side that we have to consider.”