Klis: Trevor Siemian once again third in Broncos QB race
Feb 15, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 8:47 am
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, in his first year of significant playing time, took over for future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, started 14 games, led his team to eight wins, threw for 3,401 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Oh, and he earned a Pro Bowl selection as an alternate (he couldn’t go due to offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder).
“I thought Trevor Siemian had a good first year, with the qualifier ‘first year,’ the first time he ever played,” said 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis, on 104.3 The Fan with Brandon Stokley on Tuesday. “I thought he was well above average in how he played given the circumstances.”
So, what gives that he already seems to be behind the eight ball heading into this offseason?
“Once again, Trevor Siemian seems to be the third guy in the race. And we don’t even know who the third guy is in the race yet. But we’re already putting him third, as we did last year,” Klis said.
If it’s future ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, “he’ll be the guy,” Klis said. If it’s someone else, another veteran quarterback, “he’ll be the guy.”
Even if Denver doesn’t sign or trade for a big-name veteran quarterback, Siemian’s still playing catchup because, Klis said, the Broncos seemingly built its offensive coaching staff around developing 2016 first-round draft pick Paxton Lynch.
“Paxton Lynch has got this new offensive coaching staff. You would think they’ve got this all-star staff — (Bill) Musgrave, (Mike) McCoy, (Jeff) Davidson — with the idea of bringing along Paxton Lynch, the first-round pick,” Klis said. “A lot of signs are pointing toward Paxton or maybe even Romo.”
But last offseason, all signs pointed to Mark Shanchez until they didn’t.
“Again, Trevor’s the afterthought, but Trevor’s also the guy in the seat right now,” Klis said. “We’ll see.”
At least one big-name Broncos player has Siemian’s back, however. Pass rusher Von Miller told Klis at the Super Bowl two weeks ago, “Me, personally, I like Trev.”
And, Klis said, “I bet you anything Von Miller’s not the only one in that locker room who thinks Trevor Siemian should be the quarterback of 2017.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
