Clough: Osweiler the front-runner for Broncos starting QB in 2018
Sep 5, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 7:32 am
On Friday, a day removed from the Denver Broncos 30-2 victory in its preseason finale, the future of the team’s quarterback room looked as if Trevor Siemian would be the starter, Paxton Lynch would be out several weeks with a sprained shoulder, and rookie Kyle Sloter could be the team’s backup heading into 2017.
What a difference 24 hours makes.
Before 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Broncos may not have had its 2018 starting quarterback on the roster, 104.3 The Fan’s Sandy Clough said Monday, but the team certainly had its front-runner for the job: Brock Osweiler.
“Based on conversations with those familiar with the Broncos thinking, I think Brock Osweiler’s prospects could well be better than just acting as a backup for a few weeks here in Denver and then getting released,” Clough said.
With Sloter signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and Lynch in limbo after losing the quarterback competition and hampered by a shoulder injury, Clough said those conversations led him to think Osweiler’s the front-runner for the job next season, or sooner.
“… You have, at the very least, your strong front-runner for the starting quarterback job in 2018 if not at some point in 2017. You have your front-runner,” Clough said.
Thus far, general manager John Elway and head coach Vance Joseph have indicated there’s no change in the quarterback depth chart with Osweiler’s arrival.
And even the veteran quarterback toed the company line on Monday.
“My role is to be the backup quarterback of this team, and that’s where it should be,” Osweiler said. “Trevor’s earned the right to be the starter, and this is Trevor’s football team.”
And though he doesn’t believe the Broncos are being misleading about the 2017 starting quarterback, Clough said Elway’s win “from now on” mantra doesn’t necessarily ring true with Siemian at the helm.
Said Clough: “… It was John Elway himself who once upon a time made the distinction and really talked about doing both at the same time … we’re in business to win now and from now on. Plug Trevor Siemian into that thought, that expression. Trevor Siemian is the quarterback, for now. From now on? I’m not so sure of that.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
