Klis: ‘Makes sense’ to start Lynch Week 17 if Broncos lose to Chiefs
Dec 20, 2016, 9:47 PM | Updated: Dec 21, 2016, 5:53 am
Save for maybe a grade of “needs improvement” for his red zone play, Mike Klis believes second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian has been the Denver Broncos offensive MVP in 2016.
But despite that, the 9News Broncos Insider said, if Denver loses to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday it would make sense to hand the reins over to rookie gunslinger Paxton Lynch in Week 17.
“I think if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs on Christmas night, then I think it makes sense to play Paxton Lynch in the final game against the Oakland Raiders,” Klis told Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth and Evans” on Tuesday.
But if that’s the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s Lynch’s job going forward, as Klis said the team probably would head into the offseason with Siemian in the lead of the competition for quarterback.
“I would say it’s 65-35 Siemian the starter in Game 1 next year, but Paxton Lynch is right there,” Klis said. “I don’t think they drafted Paxton Lynch, moved up to No. 26, with the idea of him sitting for two years. One year, yes, but two years, no.”
“That doesn’t mean Siemian won’t start the season next year, but I do think Paxton Lynch will be breathing down his neck a lot more next year than he was this year.”
The start wouldn’t be Lynch’s first, as the rookie played in relief of Siemian twice this season — in a Week 5 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at home and a Week 13 win on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In his play, which includes more than a half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 when Siemian injured his non-throwing shoulder, Lynch has played to mediocre results.
On the year, the rookie’s 1-1 in two starts, thrown for just two touchdowns, and completed 59 percent of passes for 497 yards.
Siemian, also receiving his first NFL regular season action in 2016, is 7-5 in 12 starts. He’s thrown for 3,012 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, completing 255 passes for a 61.3 percent completion percentage.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
