Lammey: NFL buzz following the first wave of free agency

Author’s note: Covering the NFL since 2003, I’ve been able to generate contacts with every team in the league. This is the time of year when those relationships come in handy.

NFL teams have entered the offseason mode, and information is swirling around the atmosphere of the league. If you know who to ask, you can learn some interesting things about the direction of these franchises as they prepare for the 2017 season.

Here’s some of the latest buzz I’m hearing from around the NFL with the first wave of free agency complete.

Vance Joseph happy with quarterback situation

James Palmer, from NFL Network, reports Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said he believes the team’s quarterback situation is in good shape for the next four or five years with quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch on the roster.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Joseph expressed his support for the players in place and reiterated the fact the Broncos will have an open competition at quarterback.

“It’s going to be a fair and open competition. Whoever plays better is going to be the guy.” Joseph said.

Buzz: The Broncos are keeping options open, but they’ve constantly showed support for the two young quarterbacks on the roster. While Siemian is in Denver rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, Lynch is in Florida working with renowned quarterback guru Charlie Taafe.

Joseph has been encouraged by the conversations he’s had with Lynch.

“Really good (conversations). Paxton is a young guy with great talent. But playing quarterback in the NFL has a lot more than talent. It’s leadership. Whether you like it or not, it comes with leadership obligations. It comes with studying in it and understanding the systems,” Joseph said.

“He’s ready for it. He wants the challenge. He’s looking forward to coming back and going to work.”

Broncos fans need to hold off hope of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo coming to Denver.

The team would undoubtedly consider Romo when he’s released, but there is a real belief in Siemian and Lynch inside the halls of UCHealth Training Center.

Vance Walker getting interest

On the open market veteran defensive end Vance Walker is getting some interest from the Chicago Bears.

Walker has the talent to start in the NFL, but he’s also recovering from an ACL injury suffered last year in training camp for the Broncos.

Buzz:  The Broncos would like to bring Walker back according to general manager John Elway.

“We’ve talked to Dekoda (Watson) as well as Vance Walker. We’ll see if we can get something done. We have interest in both those players still,” Elway said.

In the first week of free agency, the Broncos added Zach Kerr and Domata Peko to the defensive line. However, they still might be in the market for more defensive line help if the price is right.

In 2016, Walker was set to be a fine replacement for Malik Jackson before getting injured in training camp. He could stay with the Broncos to fulfill his potential as a starter in 2017.

Eagles may draft playmaker in first round

According to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, the Philadelphia Eagles are expressing interest in adding a playmaker to their offense.

With free agency kicking off last week, they still had their eyes on Washington wide receiver John Ross. He’s a player that could instantly energize any offense in the league.

Ross flew to Philadelphia following Washington’s pro day to meet with the Eagles for his first team visit and is returning home to Seattle early this week.

Buzz: After running a 4.22 40-yard dash at the 2017 Scouting Combine, the draft stock for Ross has shot through the roof.

Even though he’s scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday, teams are enamored with getting the speedy wideout.

One NFC scout told me, “Ross has the speed to take the top off the defense, but he’s more than just a speed guy. We felt he was a first-round pick before the combine, and now we’re certain he’ll go on the first day.”

Ross is more than just a speed guy. He’s shown the quickness to be a steady route runner, and he does a good job of tracking deep passes over his shoulder.

Teams are weary of the “workout warriors” that can impress in shorts and a t-shirt. Ross is not one of those players, and he’s been on the radar of top teams well before he blazed a record-setting time in Indy.