Broncos going with Siemian at quarterback

Aug 22, 2017 - 2:04 AM In the end, starting Trevor Siemian was the only choice the Denver Broncos could make.

A team at the embryonic stage of its rebuilding process could afford to start Paxton Lynch at quarterback and take its lumps as he learns to run an NFL offense that is light years beyond the spread system he executed at the University of Memphis.

But the Broncos are 18 months removed from a Super Bowl 50 win. The defense that fueled that victory is still together for the most part, featuring three All-Pros who started in that game. They believe they're still in a championship window if they can get an efficient offense that is consistent and doesn't beat itself like last year's attack did.

That's why Siemian is the starter, a decision that Broncos coach Vance Joseph announced to the team Monday morning.

Lynch has potential. But it didn't translate into any consistently effective work during practice and games during the course of training camp.

"It's a performance-based business, not potential," Joseph said.

"I was pleased with both guys, but overall, the operation of the entire offense -- decision-making and ball placement -- were more consistent with Trevor. That's why he won the job."

The task for Siemian now is clear: capitalize off the opportunity that he claimed for a second consecutive season -- a chance to be a starter and show he can be a viable long-term quarterback.

"I hope so. I think I can," he said. "I have a long way to go. I know where I can get better. I also know some of the things I can do well. For me, even going back to when I came in the league, I try to do a good job of taking it one day and rep at a time. At the end of the season, I'll go back and figure out where I'm at and go from there."

For Lynch, the ensuing question is obvious -- now what?

He was regarded as a project heading into the 2016 draft process, to the point where his development before he could be ready to start was likely to be measured in years, not months. But now he faces another year of warming the bench unless Siemian is injured or falters to the point where Joseph's hand is forced.

"What's holding him back is probably experience," Joseph said. "It's tough to play quarterback in this league. A lot goes into it. And it's not simply about how tall you are or your arm strength (or) how fast you run. It's different factors that go into being an NFL quarterback.

"As far as the system, Mike built the system for both guys, so it wasn't built for Paxton, it was built for the quarterback. So what's holding him back is probably experience."

But how does Lynch get that experience without playing?

"That's on the coaches. That's during practice. That's during the shape of the week," Joseph said. "It's tough when you're a backup to gain game experience. You can't because you're the backup player. But as far as how we coach him, that won't change. As far as his reps in practice, that won't change."

That may not be enough. But it will have to do for now as the Broncos cast their lot with Siemian.