News & Info/Headlines

An open competition for the starting quarterback job in Denver has ended, at least for now. Incumbent starter Trevor Siemian has won the job over 2016 first-rounder Paxton Lynch. Head coach Vance Joseph made the announcement at a press conference moments ago.

In announcing his decision, Joseph told reporters this is a “permanent decision."

Siemian, a seventh-round pick in 2015, held off Lynch despite a belief that new-old offensive coordinator Mike McCoy’s system was more conducive to Lynch.

As Profootballtalk.com notes, for Siemian to have won the job, he had to have won it convincingly. The draft capital used to select Lynch, coupled with the apparent belief that he could eventually become a franchise quarterback, would have nudged any close questions in his favor, since playing now will help him get to his ceiling sooner.

During the 2017 preseason, Siemian has completed 14-of-18 passing for 144 yards, 8.0 yards per attempt, with one touchdown, zero interceptions at a 118.5 passer rating. Lynch, meanwhile, has struggled to read defenses while going 15 of 22 for 81 yards, 3.7 YPA, zero touchdown passes or interceptions and a 74.2 passer rating.

Throughout the spring and summer, the Broncos gave Lynch every opportunity to swipe the gig. The second-year player, however, continued to look too raw for a team with playoff aspirations to ride into the season. On Saturday night with the starting unit, Lynch didn't attempt to stretch the field, despite owning a big arm. He settled for short throws and was all too happy to tuck and run if his first read wasn't open.

As NFL.com suggested, the decision to go with Siemian is a blow for Lynch, who was handpicked by general manager John Elway to be Denver's future quarterback. A raw talent coming out of college, the Broncos hoped he'd take over the reins after sitting most of his rookie season. Alas, learning his second offense in as many seasons appeared too much for the 23-year-old.

That said, the Broncos also are built to win now, and with several outspoken players on a championship-level defense, it would have been hard to go with Lynch if the players regard Siemian as the better option.

While Siemian didn’t do enough last year to take the Super Bowl 50 champions back to the playoffs, upgrades to the offensive line and arguable improvements to the running game could make it easier. There’s also something to be said for experience; Siemian has it, Lynch doesn’t, and now the third-year player from Northwestern will have a chance to put even more distance between himself and Lynch.

"Unless," as PFT's Mike Florio wrote, "of course, Siemian stumbles. Then, as with so many other quarterback competitions, the guy who won the job will have eventually won the first chance to lose it."