Siemian Should Be Starter Going Into Training Camp

Let’s start this post off with a logical conversation. Taking the name off the back of the jerseys, is there a case to be made for the only returning quarterback from last year’s roster to enter training camp as the starter? After all, of the three QBs, he is the only one who has worked in this offense before and understands the playbook. Trevor Siemian, former Northwestern quarterback and 7th round pick last year, doesn’t have the starting experience that QB Mark Sanchez has. However, Gary Kubiak is already quick to point out that Siemian has the off-season edge on Sanchez when it comes to running this offense.

“As far as mental, yes, because he was in the system last year,” said Kubiak out at Dove Valley on Tuesday. “Mark is catching up very quickly because he’s been in an offense very similar. They’re both obviously ahead of the young kid right now from that standpoint. They’re all very capable of running an offense. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”

Trevor Siemian firing some rockets out of the pocket in 7 on 7. A lot of arm talent.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) May 31, 2016

Simply put, Trevor Siemian should enter late July as the starting quarterback on the Broncos roster. From there, let the competition truly begin as to who starts on September 8th against the Panthers. The expectation by many is that Mark Sanchez will be given the first crack at starting, but if we examine this situation a little closer, Siemian could accomplish similar goals for this season and beyond.

The goal at quarterback this season is twofold. First, to run the offense more efficiently than last season and help the Broncos toward the goal of making the playoffs and possibly repeating as champions. The second, and more underlying goal is to help develop the hopeful future starter, Paxton Lynch. In an ideal world, the Broncos could contend in the AFC while Lynch sits out this season. This, of course, doesn’t mean they should avoid Paxton if he is ready to play this year but, for the sake of argument, it may be better for his long term development if he doesn’t play. Too often, young quarterbacks are thrust into the game before they are ready for the uptick in speed of NFL football and they struggle. The Broncos, if they can help it, would be wise to give him as much time developing off the field as they can.

Truth is, Coach Kubiak has rightfully earned the trust of the fan base when it comes to the Broncos starting quarterback based on last season’s magnificent balancing act with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. In retrospect, his decision-making each week was precisely the reason the Broncos secured the #1 seed in the AFC and later the franchise’s 3rd championship title. That trust in his ability to know which QB gives this team the best chance to win should extend to this season. Since there isn’t an established starter, all three quarterbacks represent different levels of ability and risk. Denver will have the challenge to find the most effective guy to lead their team on Week 1 with the possibility of a pivot needed later in the season. As of today, if Gary Kubiak says the competition to start is wide open, it is.