Klis: Broncos inking Davis more of an indictment on Sanchez

The Denver Broncos quarterback situation has, at least for the time being, been settles, with second-year pro Trevor Siemian under center and rookie Paxton Lynch next up on the bench.

However, the club’s signing of fifth-year pro Austin Davis may be less of a fulfilling the role of veteran backup and more an indictment on how the Broncos really felt about the outgoing Mark Sanchez.

Mike Klis, 9News Broncos Insider, told “Schlereth and Evans” Tuesday that he thinks despite all the evaluating through the offseason into the preseason and his knowledge of head coach Gary Kubiak’s offense, Sanchez never took hold among Denver’s decision makers.

“At the end of the day, they took a long look at Mark Sanchez, and they didn’t like him. That’s pretty simple,” Klis said. “He made more sense than Austin Davis because he knew the system, he knew the offense, he knew the players, and to bring in a guy cold versus a guy who’s been here, it just shows that they didn’t like Mark Sanchez.”

Klis said he thought the Sanchez’s turnover issues turned Denver’s staff sour on him, and that element of “self-destruct” didn’t mesh with Kubiak.

Davis, Klis said, is a “smart guy” who could pick up the Broncos offense quickly and has the ability to make plays on occasion.

“I think No. 1, Davis is known as a smart guy who can pick up a system quickly. I think in this particular case, that was prerequisite No. 1,” Klis said. “And No. 2, the guy does have some talent. … If you watch him, he’s got a little playmaking ability. He can make plays when the pocket breaks down.”

But, in the end, all signs point to Lynch should things turn south for Siemian. The move to bring in Davis — a veteran, yes, but also unfamiliar with Denver’s offense — indicates the Broncos may be more comfortable with Lynch than many would think.

Klis said Davis wouldn’t realistically even be ready to come off the bench until “at least Week 3, Week 4,” so Lynch might see the field faster than expected.

“You would have to bound and gag him, as far as playbook goes, and really reel him in. Not give him too many progressions,” Klis said. “… Keep it short. Keep it simple. But you’d have to do that with him all year.”

But Lynch playing doesn’t necessarily spell disaster at this point for the Broncos, as Klis said Elway doesn’t mind quarterbacks making mistakes if they can make plays — which Lynch did better than both Siemian and Sanchez.

“But then at the end of the game, when things get helter-skelter, he can get out of the pocket and make things happen,” Klis said. “That’s another reason why I think they let Sanchez go, and they’re ready to move Paxton Lynch forward.”

Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.