Broncos QBs not a ‘problem spot,’ development requires patience

The Denver Broncos do not have a problem spot at the quarterback position heading into the offseason. What the club does have are two young gunslingers who need time and patience to develop.

That’s at least what ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis said during Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth and Evans” on Thursday.

“They’re not in a bad spot as an organization at the quarterback position,” Schefter said. “Both guys, one of the guys at least, are going to have to come along and continue to improve for this team to make the steps that it wants to, but I don’t think it’s a problem spot.”

Said Klis, who filled in as a guest host alongside The Fan’s Broncos Insider Cecil Lammey: “The problem is, where this team has been the last five years really, patience in the NFL don’t sit well with people. And so, I think that’s really the problem. It’s probably not bad because of the young quarterback situation, but it’s going to require patience.”

No doubt the Broncos enjoyed a string of successful seasons, at least statistically from the quarterback position, during the Peyton Manning era, including arguably the most prolific passing offense in NFL history in 2013.

Save for a down year in 2015, when Denver still finished in the top half of the NFL, the Broncos consistently ranked among the Top 5 in terms of passing offense with the future Hall of Famer.

But with one game to go in the 2016 season, Denver’s slipped to No. 20 in terms of passing offense under Trevor Siemian and, on occasion, Paxton Lynch.

However, Schefter said that people haven’t given Siemian — and for that matter Lynch — enough time to develop before judging the young quarterbacks, both who hadn’t thrown an NFL regular season pass before the start of this season.

“What Trevor Siemian did, really in his first year as the starter, I thought was impressive. Was he perfect? No. Was he flawless? No. Are there areas he can improve on? Absolutely. For a seventh-round pick to step in and play that well that early, I think was pretty good,” Schefter said.

“I know the people of Denver want more and everyone’s disappointed because they fell short, didn’t make the playoffs. I get it. And they’re used to more, seeing more. But when you think about it, how many quarterbacks have stepped in their first year — in their first year — and played the way Trevor Siemian did?”

On the other hand, Klis said, Denver doesn’t necessarily have the luxury of time to develop Siemian or Lynch while also still keeping the Super Bowl window open with a stellar defense.

“They’re kind of in a position where they need patience on offense but on defense time is ticking,” Klis said. “So, I think they’re in a tricky spot right now.”

In any case, Broncos fans will get a glimpse of the future under center Sunday with Siemian and Lynch both slated to play in the season finale at home against the Oakland Raiders.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.