NFL rumors: Paxton Lynch could start Week 1 for Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have a wide open competition at starting quarterback, and rookie Paxton Lynch may be building his case.
Peyton Manning was clearly not in peak form last season, as the Denver Broncos made their run to a Super Bowl win on the strength of a great defense. Backup Brock Osweiler was allowed to leave in free agency, and Mark Sanchez was added to the depth chart in a trade. The Broncos did secure a possible quarterback of the future by drafting Paxton Lynch this year, but Denver’s situation under center still does not inspire much confidence for 2016.
Sanchez and 2015 seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian entered the preseason as Denver’s co-starting quarterbacks. Lynch seemed to be in the background in the competition for the starting job, but after two preseason games that may be changing.
After Saturday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak hinted that Lynch could start Week 1.
"“He’s always been in the mix,” Kubiak told reporters after Saturday’s preseason game against the 49ers. “I just told you guys that he’s behind the other two from a knowledge standpoint, but we’ve been out there competing every day. Everybody is in competition to play.”"
"I’m going to play the guy that I think is best for our team,” Kubiak said. “We have three guys out there battling. Obviously [Lynch] is a young kid. He did some really good stuff tonight. He made some mistakes, too. I think I’ve continued to tell you guys that he is behind the others from a knowledge standpoint as far as running the group. Obviously we need to keep coming, keep bringing him along. We’re going to keep working here, find the guy that we think is best for our football team and go from there.”"
Sanchez fumbled twice in quick succession during Saturday night’s game, and he acknowledged a missed opportunity to secure the starting job after the game. Siemian got the start against the 49ers, but he further diminished a mediocre outing by throwing the pick-six. Meanwhile, Lynch went 15-for-26 for 113 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against the 49ers. Even against backups, that performance stands out when compared to Sanchez and Siemian.
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Kubiak also stated the importance of protecting the ball. That should be obvious, but it will perhaps be a telling factor in the quarterback battle. Sanchez’s reputation precedes him in regard to turning the ball over, while Siemian’s notable interception Saturday night is fresh on everyone’s mind.
Manning was benched, and Osweiler lost the job despite going 5-2 as the starter last year, so it may not matter who the Broncos have under center. Lynch can win the job practically by default, based on his potential as well as the ineptitude of Sanchez and Siemian. It will be interesting to see how much time Lynch gets with the starters during Denver’s third preseason game, if any.