Schlereth: Time for change at QB for Broncos, but it won’t matter

Oct 24, 2017, 12:00 AM Updated: 8:55 am

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos warms up as backup Quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the New York Giants at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Despite a fourth-straight subpar performance from the Denver Broncos offense, head coach Vance Joseph issued a vow of confidence on Monday for quarterback Trevor Siemian.

“Absolutely. He’s our quarterback,” the first-year head coach said in his Monday press conference, this week following arguably the lowest point for the Broncos offense in 25 years.

Calls to replace Siemian grew larger during and after Sunday’s shutout loss on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, the team’s first such defeat since November 1992.

But Mark Schlereth agreed, saying it’s time for a change on Monday, but not necessarily because of Siemian’s performance alone.

“I don’t care who plays quarterback. Behind the garbage that we saw (Sunday), there’s nobody that can play quarterback,” the “Schlereth & Evans” co-host said.

Schlereth said Siemian, right now, is “so beaten down” from the punishment he’s taken in recent weeks that he’s become gun-shy.

“I watch him stare at one receiver the entirety of a progression because he just wants to get the ball to that guy as quickly as he can because he knows he’s going to take a mouthful,” Schlereth said.

“That dude is getting fed Riddell … that’s all he eats. I don’t know how much protein there is Riddell, but it can’t taste good. I guarantee you that.”

Through six games, Siemian’s been sack 22 times, tied for the sixth-highest mark in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. As far as QB hits go, the third-year pro has taken 36, 16th in the NFL.

On Sunday alone, Siemian suffered six QB hits, five of which were sacks.

“No wonder Tony Romo didn’t want to sign here. No wonder he didn’t want to answer that phone call,” Schlereth said of the injury-prone quarterback-turned-broadcaster.

The solution, or at least the quickest route to a conclusion about the Broncos quarterback position, Schlereth said, is to give everyone a shot.

“It’s time. Obviously, Trevor, he’s not playing very well. This whole offense … it’s not all on him. It’s this whole offense not playing very well,” Schlereth said. “But, we might as well figure it out.

“If you look at these next six games, I don’t know that there’s a winnable game in there. Not the way we’re currently constructed. Not the way we’re currently playing. So, let’s play it out. Let’s just see what we’ve got.”

That includes giving Brock Osweiler a shot under center, Schlereth said, until “he gets lambasted because they can’t protect him and they can’t run the ball and they can’t produce on offense.”

Then, it’s Paxton Lynch’s time.

“I think the bottom line here, what we have to figure out, is can anybody play. And if my hunch is correct, the answer to that is no, and at least you understand where you sit as a franchise,” Schlereth said.

“So, roll them out, baby. Everybody gets a shot.”

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