The Denver Broncos quarterback situation has been highly covered since they earned their gaudy Super Bowl 50 rings. With just two more practices before a lengthy break, the competition for the job in 2016 is currently a two horse race but remains far from over.
Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch joined Trevor Siemian in the quarterback’s room this offseason via trade with the Philadelphia Eagles and the 2016 NFL Draft, respectively. Entering offseason workouts, rookie minicamp and then mandatory minicamp it was viewed as an “up-for-grabs” opportunity for all three.
Just days away from the Broncos’ summer break, head coach Gary Kubiak described the current situation.
“I think they have all done good things,” head coach Kubiak said Tuesday. “What we’re trying to find is that consistent guy, that’s what we’re trying to find. I think Trevor and Mark have kind of looked each other in the eye the whole offseason. When I sit there and watch practice they are right there, banging on each other. I think those two guys are right there with each other. I think it is a very competitive situation and they are obviously ahead of our young guy from a mental standpoint. I think those two guys have been very close throughout the course [of the offseason].”
The quarterback group has shared repetitions at practice throughout the offseason while rotating work with the starters on down to the third string. However, recently Sanchez has maintained his spot atop of the group. Kubiak has stated several times that Siemian had the upper hand as far as the playbook but Sanchez has been catching up quick. Neither quarterback seems like they are ready to concede the job and the break will bring rest on their bodies but not their minds.
“I’m a flash card guy, a repetitions guy and I just have to see it a million times, watch it a million times,” Sanchez said Tuesday. “Whether I’m on a plane, sitting in a hotel or on a beach somewhere I’ll have my stuff near me and will constantly go over it every chance I get.”
Siemian has also had a great offseason leading Kubiak to praise his ability and work ethic whenever asked about the second-year quarterback. He will also get some rest while continuing to prepare for the next battle and biggest test, training camp.
“A ton,” Siemian said Tuesday when asked about how much he will study in the coming month. “Self-scout, looking at what we did this spring and then looking ahead. I’m excited to have some things I am building on now and to carry some momentum into camp.”
Sanchez has both started for multiple teams and been a backup. Siemian watched last season as a backup to two quarterbacks, he did so with the intentions of getting a shot in the NFL. Too many fans, that opportunity has come rather quickly. Siemian knows he has a different role this season but maintained Tuesday that it will not veer him off his course.
“Definitely a different role for me, but not much has changed the way I am trying to go about things,” he said confidently. “I’m trying to operate the same. I think that is what kind of got me in this situation and will get me through.”
When asked about what he is trying to improve on, in particular, he gave an answer that all three quarterbacks can relate to.
“Just total command,” Siemian explained. “Command of what we’re doing, making sure my eyes are in the right spot. I think I know a lot, I’ve learned a lot but there is still a long way to go, especially in this position.”
As for the Broncos rookie first-round pick and presumptive “quarterback of the future,” Kubiak believes he is improving but is certainly behind the other two signal callers. Encouragingly, it has not influenced any of their efforts thus far.
“I think the young kid is extremely talented and young, does a lot of great things and then has his troubles,” the head coach said of Lynch before praising all of their efforts. “So we are trying to find consistency somewhere but as a group, they are battling their tails off.”
The early results are in for the 2016 Broncos. As players from the 2015 team find safe hiding places for their mammoth rings, two quarterbacks are making strides to lead the 2016 team in pursuit of anther one. The quarterback competition is far from over but the emergence of two out three in the group is a healthy development. All three will get a “break” but it isn’t likely that any of them treat it as such.
