NFL Rumors: Paxton Lynch – Not Mark Sanchez – Could Be Denver Broncos’ Starter
The Denver Broncos quarterback situation has certainly seen its ups and downs since Peyton Manning and company won Super Bowl 50.
What started as a no-brainer that Brock Osweiler would take the reins from the retired Manning has weaved its way into a quarterback competition between recently acquired backup Mark Sanchez and recently drafted first round QB Paxton Lynch. And while many believe it’s obviously Sanchez in the drivers seat, GM John Elway recently hinted that Lynch may see time a lot sooner than anyone expects, according to Fox Sports.
“Is that going to happen tomorrow? Probably not, but you never know when it can happen,” Elway said. “We think he’s going to be ready quicker than a lot of people think.”
Bottom line? Elway doesn’t think Lynch is the “project” everyone thinks he is and could be called on sooner-rather-than-later to be the Broncos QB. Paxton was labeled early on before the draft as a project quarterback that would need time to learn a pro-style offense. But as reported by Fox Business, Lynch has similar traits to superstars Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger and his development may not necessarily be as slow-paced as previously expected.
“What attracted me was that he’s part of that new vogue of quarterbacks – a Cam Newton, a Ben Roethlisberger – that have physical stature, in that it’s hard to find a quarterback who’s 6-foot-7, but also have athletic ability and the talent to escape the pocket and avoid the rush,” his agent Lee Steinberg said. “When you watch Paxton move, he looks like a much smaller person in terms of his athleticism.”
That talent and arm strength is what intrigued many scouts and GMs across the league, with many wondering exactly where he might land. Initially thought to be on the Jets radar at number 20, NY passed on Lynch in favor of 2nd round pick Christian Hackenberg. That left GM John Elway in the ideal situation to take Lynch number 26 overall, shoring up an area of need following Osweiler’s departure. With Sanchez already in tow, the Broncos seemingly have in place the quarterback of now vs. the quarterback of the future in camp.
Lynch made his debut at Broncos Rookie minicamp earlier this week and immediately caught his head coach, Gary Kubiak’s attention.
“I obviously think he’s going to make up ground quickly. I see that in him. I feel that when I am around him,” Kubiak said.
Of course, this could all be a moot point if the supposed deal between the Broncos and San Francisco 49ers lands Colin Kaepernick into the mix. Initially held up because of money, Elway recently called the trade talks between his club and the 49ers “dormant” as they were unable to swing a deal before the NFL Draft. The difference being approximately $4 million dollars subtracted from the $11.9 currently owed to the former Pro-Bowl quarterback.
Pro Football Talk thinks there’s still a chance the trade could happen or at the very least, Colin could end up in a new uniform before the start of camp this summer.
“The one to watch is Kaepernick. As he moves toward receiving clearance to fully participate in football activities, the 49ers have to decide whether to embrace him or to move on. Once he sets foot on the practice field, Kaepernick is a fluke accident away from landing on injured reserve and costing the 49ers the full $11.9 million for 2016. Trading him would erase all (or at least part) of that responsibility.”
Meanwhile, Sportsrageous is hyping a potential Sam Bradford, Colin Kaepernick swap that could find Chip Kelly’s former signal caller in a 49er uniform. If this was the case, the Broncos would have no choice but to start the season with either Sanchez or Paxton Lynch.
[Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images]
