'All set' at quarterback, Broncos move ahead with Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch (for now)
INDIANAPOLIS — For now, the Denver Broncos “are fine” heading into 2017 with young quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch
First-year head coach Vance Joseph said as much Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine, adding: “We’re all set at the moment."
It's not exactly a solid commitment to Siemian, the 2016 starter, or Lynch, last year’s first-round pick — especially given the likelihood of a divorce between veteran passer Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.
“No one is available that we can talk about,” Joseph said.
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Joseph, hired in January to replace Gary Kubiak, said the plan is for Siemian and Lynch to take part in an open quarterback competition that will truly begin this summer — after both have had time to learn the new offense led by coordinator Mike McCoy. Joseph said Denver's new scheme is about 60% completed and that McCoy will do more tweaks to the offense throughout the offseason.
The challenge for McCoy and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave is to design a playbook that works for Siemian and Lynch, who have distinctly different styles. Siemian is more of a traditional drop-back passer and more comfortable under center than Lynch, who played in a shotgun spread offense at the University of Memphis.
“The problem with Paxton and Trevor is they’re so different,” Joseph said.
Until Romo joins another team, the speculation that he could land in Denver is expected to linger. That’s in part because of general manager John Elway’s history as a major player in free agency, the fact that the Broncos still have a championship-caliber defense and the significant questions about both young quarterbacks. Siemian recently had surgery on his left shoulder after playing with a significant separation last season. He missed two starts.
“Watching Trevor last year, I was really impressed,” Joseph said. “He played through a horrific shoulder injury.”
Lynch was 1-1 in his two starts but showed in those games he needs more time to develop into a viable NFL starter — both with fundamentals like his footwork and with handling the complexities of a pro-style offense.
“Is he ready? I’m not sure,” Joseph said. “But obviously he’s got great skills.”
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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones
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