Big Al: Paxton Lynch talk from Broncos brass a ‘smokescreen’

Among the benefits of Case Keenum joining the Denver Broncos, Paxton Lynch’s growth as a quarterback was touted during the veteran signal-caller’s introduction on Friday.

General manager John Elway said the team still has “high hopes” the 2016 first-round draft pick can “continue to grow as a quarterback,” while head coach Vance Joseph said playing behind Keenum would benefit Lynch.

“We thought Case was a great fit also for Paxton because they’re both guys who can use their legs,” Joseph said. “To have Case and also Paxton involved in our quarterback room, the scheme should be the same for both guys so we’re excited about that.”

However, Alfred Williams thinks that, perhaps, there could be an ulterior motive behind Elway’s and Joseph’s comments about Lynch.

“They talked about Paxton Lynch so much it felt like it was just a big smokescreen,” Williams said Friday. “If you talk that much about Paxton Lynch like you’re going to stick with him when you’re going to all these quarterback facilities and pro days.

“And now you’re going to say this is all about Paxton growing? Tell me why that makes sense? That’s a smokescreen.”

Just because of the Broncos picked up Keenum, NFL Network reporter James Palmer tweeted last week, doesn’t mean the team’s no longer interested in a quarterback at its No. 5 draft slot.

Anyone who thinks the #Broncos are no longer interested in a QB at 5 is wrong. They’re still very much in play for a QB if they fall in love with one. They will do their work over the next month to find that out. They’re just now in the position where they don’t HAVE to pick one.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 13, 2018

Couple that not only with Denver’s top brass attending the pro days for quarterback prospects Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen last week but also the team’s plan to go to Josh Allen’s on Friday in Laramie, Wyoming, has Williams’ co-host, DMac, not seeing “Paxton Lynch as part of the future” for the Broncos.

“What do I always tell you? Don’t listen to what they say. Watch what they do,” Williams said. “They are flying around from practices to practices, pro day to pro day, looking at quarterbacks.”

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