The Denver Broncos had a clear purpose when they targeted quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, though he was clearly not the team’s best option in 2016.
Now it would appear that they are hoping he will be ready to start in the 2017 season, per Mike Klis of 9 News.
“According to league sources, the Broncos’ brass hope to determine during the organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp this offseason if Lynch is ready to become their starting quarterback in 2017. The team believes he has the talent and character. And the Broncos want to do everything they can to push him in year two.”
Why not? The Broncos don’t have much to lose by grooming Lynch in the upcoming months leading to the start of the 2017 season. Quarterback Trevor Siemian did a decent job in 2016 but is not the team’s long-term solution.
The Broncos fell to third in the AFC West and did not make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
We saw a small sampling from Lynch when he played in place of Siemian just a few times in 2016. He completed 59 percent of his passes and managed two touchdowns compared to one interception in the three games for which he was under center.
Lynch was drafted out of Memphis following his final season when he passed for 3,776 yards, 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
He will of course have to compete with Siemian once the team reunites for practices. But the team surely hopes Lynch will progress ahead of Siemian in the race to start behind center next season.
This news would also appear to affirm that the Broncos are not in pursuit of Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo. Romo recently indicated his choice team moving forward would be the Broncos.
Clearly, the two parties are not on the same page. Lynch is the guy that the Broncos are committing to developing at this time.