Of the three on the roster last season, one retired, one left town, and the last one beat out a veteran and high draft pick to win the job. Drafted in the 7th round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Orlando, Fla. native spent an entire season as the Broncos’ third-string quarterback behind Manning and Brock Osweiler.
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While it was Siemian’s body of work that won him the job, it was his ability to rebound that helped his cause, an ability to play with freedom with so much on the line.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – There were plenty of reasons Gary Kubiak picked Trevor Siemian to start at quarterback for the Denver Broncos – Kubiak called it “the body of work”. Siemian threw a pass with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half that was intercepted by Rams safety Cody Davis. “I believe in this kid and what he can do for this football team”.
And don’t expect him to become a more forceful vocal leader now that he is the guy.
“I have to continue this evaluation process and decide what I think is best for the team”, Kubiak said Saturday night. “I think we’re getting a decent handle as to what we can anticipate, and again, I think there are some good things we can do”. I believe what I see is some guy becoming better.
But, until then, Siemian has sealed the gig and as of now, he will enjoy the benefits coming with throwing the ball to Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
“He’s very poised. Even when he comes into the huddle, he’s always the same guy”, Sanders said.
Kubiak said he won’t pare the playbook for Siemian despite his inexperience – his only National Football League snap was a kneel-down a year ago. “I remember when he first came in, I said, ‘You remind me of Aaron Rodgers, ‘ in the way that he goes about his business”. The Broncos like their first-round pick in Lynch, but may look to part ways with Sanchez either by releasing him outright or via trade.
“Last year I got a chance to learn a lot and I was starting to get comfortable in the system, but I hadn’t taken a lot of reps”, Siemian said. “I don’t think I want to change who I am or who I am in the locker room”. The Broncos would save $3.5 million and a conditional seventh-round draft pick if they cut him.
“The thing about replacing Peyton – nobody is going to replace Peyton”, Siemian admitted. Siemian will start September 8, but Sanchez’s place on the depth chart and the sideline is to be determined.
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“I felt like it was the right decision”. “We’ve got a special group and a great offense”.
