Pritchard: Why would Broncos keep Paxton Lynch just out of pride?

Aug 29, 2018, 1:30 PM

Quarterback Paxton Lynch #12 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field with teammates as the team is introduced before an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

As the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline looms, the buzz around the Denver Broncos indicates there could be a way third-string quarterback Paxton Lynch sticks with the club past this weekend.

Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck said multiple sources told him that if the Broncos were to bring in a veteran quarterback to back up Case Keenum, he’d be the No. 2 guy and not No. 3 behind current second-teamer Chad Kelly.

But should Kelly play well enough to solidify the No. 2 position in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, Renck said “it could, in theory, save Lynch.”

“You’d like a veteran, but they’re not just going to add any veteran unless they feel like it’s an upgrade over Kelly,” Renck told Big Al and DMac on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, “Pritchard and Cecil” host Cecil Lammey echoed Renck’s comments, saying “Kelly’s performance on Thursday night could actually save Paxton Lynch.”

“You may not believe it. You may not want it. But just know that there’s a certain buzz building that Chad Kelly’s performance could actually save the job of his competitor, of Paxton Lynch,” Lammey said.

But Lammey’s co-host, Mike Pritchard, questioned as to why that would be the line of think for the Broncos, given they’d potentially be eliminating a player’s spot on the final 53-man roster.

“I don’t get that. Why would you sacrifice a player who can help you win games for a player who’s going to be inactive?” Pritchard said.

Pritchard said it’s not because they’d be still developing Lynch while keeping him on the third unit — that ship has sailed — but rather because of pride within the organization about not cutting its former 2016 first-round pick.

“Pride only hurts. It never helps. Pride gets in the way,” Pritchard said. “It might sting Friday or Saturday night when you cut him. It might sting a little bit. But pride only hurts. It never helps.”

The final roster cuts must be made by Saturday at 2 p.m. mountain daylight time. Stay tuned to 104.3 The Fan and denversports.com for the latest.

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