Schlereth: ‘Makes no sense’ to dump Sanchez if QB doesn’t win Broncos job

Shortcomings. Propensity to turn the ball over. Boneheaded plays. Mark Schlereth understands all these things that describe Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez.

But despite losing his starting role, another decision Stink disagrees with, for Saturday’s preseason dress rehearsal with Los Angeles Rams, Sanchez shouldn’t be given a one-way ticket out of Dove Valley, the ESPN NFL analyst and “Schlereth and Evans” co-host said Wednesday.

“You can’t go into a football season with two guys who have never taken an NFL snap,” Schlereth said.”

Clearly the Broncos have lost faith in Sanchez being able to “curb his propensity to turn ball over,” Schlereth said. The NFL veteran coughed up the ball three times in two games now in the preseason for Denver.

But, despite his play on the field thus far in the preseason, Schlereth said it’s foolish to dump Sanchez

“For those saying you just dump Mark Sanchez. I mean, really? That makes no sense to me,” Schlereth said.

“You’re going to go into the season with Trevor Siemian, who’s taking a knee-down snap in a regular season game, and Paxton Lynch, who’s never played in the NFL? Ultimately you’re going in with two rookies who have never taken a snap in the NFL. I just don’t think that that’s probably wise.”

And Sanchez should start over Siemian on Sept. 8 during the NFL’s season opener between Denver and the Carolina Panthers, Schlereth said, sticking with the same statement he made earlier this week before head coach Gary Kubiak named Siemian the starter for Saturday’s game.

“I want a veteran guy for that first game Thursday night, in front of the spotlight, in front of all of America, the kickoff game to the NFL season, the only show in town, the only thing people will be tuned into,” Sanchez said. “I still think Sanchez still gives you the best opportunity to win that game.”

Releasing Sanchez before the final 53-man roster is finalized would save Denver about $3.5 million — he’d still earn the $1 million guaranteed in this $4.5 million, one-year deal.

And, should the Broncos cut Sanchez, they’d avoid giving up the conditional seventh-round pick they promised to Philadelphia Eagles in the trade for the quarterback.

But Schlereth called the roughly $5 million the club would save “change from the couch cushions” and finding a replacement could be difficult.

“I can’t imagine you getting rid of Mark Sanchez, unless he becomes some divisive figure in the locker room, which isn’t going to happen either,” Schlereth said.

Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.