Siemian the ‘clear-cut winner’ of the Broncos decision at QB
Aug 21, 2017, 2:44 PM
It didn’t come as much of a surprise, even inside the locker room, but the decision has been made: Trevor Siemian is the Denver Broncos starting quarterback moving forward.
Head coach Vance Joseph officially revealed Siemian would be under center come the Broncos season opener on Sept. 11 during a press conference Monday afternoon, confirming a 104.3 The Fan’s Brandon Stokley earlier in the day.
Joseph said that he filled both Siemian and second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch in on the decision Monday morning.
“Both guys competed hard. Both guys want the job,” Joseph said. “I was pleased with both guys, but overall the operation of the entire offense, decision-making, ball-placement, was more consistent with Trevor. That’s why he won the job.”
Siemian was the “clear-cut winner,” Joseph said during the press conference, making good on his statement earlier this offseason that he’d name a starter once there was “clear separation.”
“I said the games were going to be an important piece, and the games were. And, in my opinion, Trevor played better than Paxton in the actual games,” Joseph said.
During two weeks of preseason games, wherein Siemian got the start against this Chicago Bears and Lynch against the San Francisco 49ers, Lynch went 15-for-22 (68.2 percent) passing for 81 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 74.3.
Siemian went 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) for 144 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 118.5.
Joseph echoed a statement he made after Saturday’s 33-14 win over the 49ers, that the NFL is a “performance-based business, not potential,” and Lynch’s first-round draft status not Siemian’s seventh-round draft status played a part in the quarterback decision.
“He’s a guy with rare talent, and with time he will be a good quarterback,” Joseph said of Lynch. “But right now, I think Trevor’s the best guy for our team.”
Moving forward, Siemian will take reps with the first-team offense, and Lynch with the second-team.
In Saturday’s preseason dress rehearsal, Siemian will play the first half and Lynch the second half, Joseph said.
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