Elway stakes franchise on highly questionable facial hair

For three months we wondered what the Broncos’ answer would be at the quarterback position and now we know. The speculation can finally come to an end. With the 26th overall pick in Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft, John Elway and his brain trust at Dove Valley selected quarterback Paxton Lynch of Memphis.

Lynch will compete with veteran Mark Sanchez and perennial backup Trevor Siemian for the starting job. While Denver may still sign another veteran – possibly Brian Hoyer – to the mix, fans can end their speculations about a marquee player like Colin Kaepernick winding up here via trade.

Meanwhile we’re left to analyze and discuss the decision to move up in the first round (via trade with Seattle) to take Lynch.

It’s clear that the Broncos were in dire need of a quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning and the team’s failure to sign Brock Osweiler to a contract extension. By drafting a rookie signal-caller, the team insured that it can mold him over time into the type of player they want him to be. But with Lynch there are some clear concerns.

Paxton Lynch is considered by some to be a bit of a dim bulb. The 18 he scored on the Wonderlic test fuels that worry. But even more concerning is his highly questionable decision making when it comes to his facial hair.

Lynch’s mustache isn’t all that bothersome and neither is his beard. It’s the way the two interact and the “flavor savor” that connects them that truly has experts anxious. Peter Burns of ESPN’s SEC Network, a former member of the Denver media and College Football guru pointed out on Twitter this morning that Lynch intentionally trims his facial hair into a 1990’s boy band type look. It’s reasonable to wonder if the kid can make it in the pros.

I contacted Burns for a national perspective on the selection of Lynch. He told me “I’m oddly at peace with the Broncos drafting Lynch. Elway once again shows he can pivot his plans when needed, my only concern is that the young man looks in the mirror and decides that the Boy band 1995 facial hair look is a strong one. HUGE red flag in my book.”

Joey Fatone of NSYNC and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys both sported the same basic facial hair configuration as Lynch – but that was before we had the internet and smart phones. Culturally we just didn’t know any better. These days that look is reserved for the douchiest of douchenozzles.

Right, Guy Fieri?

Broncos fans are prone to declare “In Elway We Trust” and for good reason. The great number seven has turned the Broncos franchise around and gotten it to the mountaintop in just five seasons. He deserves deference. It’s not unreasonable, however, to question his decision making – or Paxton Lynch’s – when it comes to that facial hair.