Denver Broncos: Chad Kelly May Have Ended Paxton Lynch Era

Paxton Lynch was already in danger of becoming the biggest draft bust in recent memory for the Denver Broncos. Saturday night may have sealed it.

Lynch already failed to outperform one 7th round pick for the starting job in Trevor Siemian over the past couple years. Now he’d have to try again just to maintain a grip on the backup job behind Case Keenum. This time it was against former Ole Miss bad boy Chad Kelly. Word is both were struggling somewhat in training camp, so it would be the game action that might determine their fates.

Turns out it’s all the same for Lynch. In his first appearance of the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings held him to 6-of-11 for 24 yards and an interception. It was an ugly night. Kelly, on the other hand, was the biggest playmaker of the night. He got the Broncos back into the game with two touchdown passes and also unloaded a 17-yard scramble.

His lone mistake came when he tried to force a throw that was intercepted during a late drive when he was trying to bring the team back. It was the lone blot on an impressive night.

Paxton Lynch is a failure even if he makes the roster

All in all, this is a terrible look both for Lynch and for John Elway. This makes the second high draft choice that the Broncos GM has whiffed on since taking over the team. The fact he actually traded up for Lynch only makes it worse. Never mind that Elway is a former QB himself and should have a relatively easier time identifying good ones. Either way this is not what one would call a bright spot for his executive career.

Even if Lynch survives to make the roster, which isn’t a guarantee, it won’t change the fact he’s a bust as a former 1st round pick. Salvaging him as a backup is the best they can hope for and even that is starting to look dicey. If Kelly can continue to perform through the rest of the preseason, the Broncos may just decide to cut their losses rather than pay millions to what would essentially be a third-string quarterback.