The question is the one that will dominate all training camp and preseason. Who will the Denver Broncos replace Peyton Manning with?
This team has thoughts about repeating in 2016 and this decision is by far the most important and one cannot afford to get wrong. At first glance it looked like the situation was already decided when the team moved up in the 1st round to take Paxton Lynch out of Memphis. The 6’7” monster has the tools from arm strength to mobility and swagger that top QBs need. Many expect him to start right from the beginning as a rookie and learn on the fly. There is hardly a consensus on that idea though.
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In fact several in and around the Broncos organization have thrown fuel on the fire about where this derby could end up going.
Broncos beat reporter Jeff Legwold at ESPN has his say.
"“Better wrap your head around the idea: Mark Sanchez will be the quarterback who opens the regular season for the defending Super Bowl champs unless injury gets in the way. And the Broncos are just fine with that because, frankly, they like him more than you’d think.”"
Gary Kubiak threw this curveball in a surprising statement.
"“I think Trevor (Siemian) has a maturity to him. He’s kind of the sleeper, I would say. Trevor knows the offense. He’s very comfortable and can throw the ball too,” Kubiak said via The Denver Post. “We’ve also seen him make big plays in the preseason games under the lights. I wouldn’t sleep on Trevor to win the job, either.”"
In a word nobody has an answer for what the Denver Broncos are going to do. Each name on the list has their own reasons for being accomplished for the job. Sanchez is the most experienced, having won four playoffs games in his career. Siemian knows the offense best. Lynch is the most talented. It’s not like this is some sort of artificial competition. The coaches may legitimately not yet know who the starter is going to be, making this upcoming camp and preseason period one of the most fascinating in the NFL.
Early signs must give the edge to Lynch and Siemian as each reportedly started off practices well. Sanchez is busy nursing a hand injury he suffered in a weightlifting accident, so it will take some time before he gets back into the fray. Don’t be surprised if this goes right down to the wire at the end of August.