Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced that Trevor Siemian will start the club’s third preseason game against the Rams, and that decision could have implications for veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez, as Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. First-round rookie Paxton Lynch could leap Sanchez to become Denver’s backup signal-caller, and if that happens, Sanchez may not have a spot on the roster, Klis suggests.
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“I expected [uncertainty at QB],’’ said Kubiak. “We’ve got three quarterbacks, two of which weren’t on this team last year. One has one regular-season snap. So I knew this was going to take some time and I think it’s a credit to them in how well they’ve battled and pushed each other. It’s down to the nitty gritty here – I don’t have to but I’m going to make a decision next week.’’
Sanchez, whom the Broncos acquired from the Eagles earlier this year in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick, has completed 66% of his passes during the preseason but struggled otherwise, as he’s tossed an interception, lost two fumbles, and been sacked three times. Siemian hasn’t been great either (17-of-23 for 163 yards and a pick-six), but if the competition is considered close between him and Sanchez, salaries could come into play.
As a former seventh-round pick, Siemian is only due to earn a minimum salary during the upcoming, but Sanchez is scheduled to earn $4.5MM, $1MM of which is guaranteed. Sanchez can also earn another $3MM through incentives, but the Broncos could clear $3.5MM off their books by releasing him before the start of the season. If Sanchez is going to be the No. 2 quarterback, his salary is manageable — but if he falls to No. 3, there’s a decent chance Denver isn’t willing to pay the price to keep him around.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
