It’s an even split. The uncertainty around the Broncos’ starting quarterback competition is just as active on June 1 as it was on March 1. Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch all are getting a fair shot until one separates himself from the pack.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak hasn’t designated an early depth chart. Any of the three can land at any of the spots. That sort of competition in early June at the game’s most important position is unusual in the NFL, especially for the defending Super Bowl champions.
“The only way that they establish themselves and take the team over is if you somehow give them the opportunity to do that,” Kubiak said. “As a coach, if you’re making decisions before they ever step on the field and don’t give them equal opportunity to prove themselves, I don’t believe in that.”
Sanchez took the first repetitions with the starters Tuesday as he was a full participant in organized team activities for the first time since having surgery on his left thumb May 21. He took most of his snaps from under center and said his thumb didn’t bother him physically or mentally after the first snap.
He made his best completion of the day in a hurry-up team drill, hitting Emmanuel Sanders about 15 yards down the field in stride. Sanders beat a quickly closing Aqib Talib to the inside. Sanders made the grab and high-stepped to the inside, with Sanchez fist-pumping down the field.
All three quarterbacks said it has been a different transition to develop rhythm and chemistry with their receivers because they work with three different sets. But the reward in the long haul is that the best man should rise to the top. Consistency is the key.
The first things to master in OTAs are knowing the playbook and audibles and functioning at full speed without hesitation in quick situations such as the no-huddle offense and two-minute drills.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to learn this thing quickly,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez is the veteran of the group, but Siemian is the leader when it comes to comfort and knowledge of the playbook. Both are far ahead of Lynch in that category.
“It’s an interesting dynamic, because Mark is the guy with the experience, but he has no experience here,” Kubiak said. “We don’t need to put too much on Mark right now. Just let him compete and play.”
That is to be expected from Lynch, who comes from a college system that was more simplified. He has immersed himself in football, waking up at 5 a.m. every day to get to Dove Valley and staying until about 5 p.m. He reads his playbook until about 7 or 8 p.m. before hitting the sheets with a 9 p.m. bedtime.
Even with his disciplined study habits, Lynch said it has been an eye-opening experience.
“It was the first time I’ve seen a playbook that looked like a dictionary,” Lynch said.
Now he’s a bit more comfortable. On the field Lynch showed some indecisiveness, but there’s no doubt the talent is there. He threw his best ball of the day to former Memphis teammate Mose Frazier, about 35 yards down the left sideline, with solid timing and accuracy.
Siemian made the most “wow” plays of the quarterbacks, showing off his arm strength throughout the team sessions by firing accurate passes on tightropes. He got himself into a little trouble when his feet got stagnant in the pocket when facing pressure. In a true competition, Siemian said he can win.
“You’ve just got to be consistent, follow your keys and follow your feet,” Siemian said. “We’ve got a lot of competition. … It’s fun.”
There’s no timetable for a decision on the starting quarterback. Kubiak quietly is enjoying the competition and is eager to see who comes out on top. In early June, uncertainty isn’t such a bad thing.
