The Denver Broncos Quarterback Problem Has An Easy Answer: Start Paxton Lynch
A noteworthy positional battle has been taking place in Denver. The answer? A rookie out of Memphis.
To kick things off, I wrote several months back about how the Denver Broncos should hand the reins over to Paxton Lynch.
That viewpoint hasn’t changed during the time that has passed. To put it in layman’s terms, the team has next to nothing to lose at this point by giving the 22-year-old a shot.
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Being the rookie that he is, Lynch is still a relatively raw quarterback. Like Broncos’ general manager John Elway initially expected, though, the former Memphis standout has performed better than many previously believed he would through training camp and preseason action.
Lynch’s fellow signal-callers, Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian, cannot say the same, and have done little to distance themselves from the pack.
Siemian has looked serviceable and is on track to start Denver’s all-important third preseason contest. He might begin the year atop the depth chart, but his grip on the No. 1 spot isn’t secure in the slightest.
Head coach Gary Kubiak actually hinted that Lynch is by no means out of the race, via Pro Football Talk.
"“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.”"
Regardless, it’s Sanchez’s inability to take the lead that has been the most surprising aspect of this positional battle. Heading into his eighth season as a pro, in an offense that is absolutely loaded with talented playmakers, one would think he’d be able to gain some ground on a rookie and a former seventh-round pick.
Throughout the offseason, Lynch has showed flashes of being the Broncos’ franchise quarterback, not only of the future, but of the present, as well.
Kubiak again pulled no punches when speaking about where he was in terms of naming a starter.
"“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.”"
At 6-foot-7, roughly 245-pounds, the 2016 26th overall selection has consistently displayed his rocket arm, improved accuracy, and impressive athleticism. While Sanchez and Siemian are no slouches in their own right, Lynch has difference-making abilities the others simply do not possess.
Lining up behind a makeshift O-line, whilst working with middling pass-catchers, the young phenom managed to put together a very solid outing in the Broncos’ second preseason game.
Stick Lynch in something that resembles a competent NFL-caliber offensive unit, with receivers like Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders at his disposal who’ll greatly help the rookie along, and you’ll notice the growth and maturation rate increase rapidly.
The on-field production will shortly follow.
Despite the glaring lack of experience, it won’t take many mistakes from Sanchez or Siemian for Kubiak and Co. to quickly hand over the keys to their offense.
Who knows, maybe No. 12 will sneak into the starting lineup similarly to the way the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson did in 2012.
In any case, count on the team wasting no time in getting Lynch right back under center, where he belongs, should the Broncos struggle early on this season.