Arizona Cardinals should look into Broncos QB Paxton Lynch
Paxton Lynch’s future in Denver is cloudy given the free agent market
John Elway and the Denver Broncos thought they had their franchise quarterback in Paxton Lynch following the retirement of Peyton Manning. Trading a third round pick in 2016 to move up from the 31st overall pick to the 26th, Lynch looked like the next star in Denver.
Fast-forward two years and the Broncos appear ready to win, just without Lynch as their starter. Injuries and issues behind his development have held Lynch back to just four career starts and Trevor Siemian getting reps with the first team in practice.
Unable to trade for Alex Smith, Elway and the Broncos will be heavily favored to sign Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason. Cousins has expressed a desire to win after six years in Washington with only two playoff appearances, one as Robert Griffin III’s backup in 2012. Denver has the pieces on defense and at wide receiver to win, and Cousins will be intrigued with their talent.
Where does that leave first round pick Paxton Lynch? It’s unlikely the Broncos see him as their backup going forward considering the limited action he’s had. It’s likely Denver looks to trade Lynch to gain a mid-round draft pick or to move up a handful of spots in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Several teams are looking for young quarterbacks, including the Arizona Cardinals. Following Carson Palmer’s retirement the organization has no heir-apparent at quarterback. Blaine Gabbert displayed some improvement in his five starts this year, but Arizona would be nieve to go into the season with him as their primary starter and little competition around him.
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Lynch can go into Arizona at a cheap price and battle Gabbert for the starting quarterback job. Even if Gabbert wins the competition, Lynch gets a chance to continue his development and look forward to his opportunity to start.
I doubt the New York Jets make a call considering they have two development quarterbacks of their own, and the Jaguars certainly won’t see Lynch as an upgrade from Blake Bortles. The Los Angeles Chargers appear to be giving Cardale Jones an opportunity to learn behind Phillip Rivers, and the Bills won’t see Lynch as an upgrade to Tyrod Taylor.
Arizona makes the most sense for Lynch; it’s an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.