Through the first few weeks of training camp, Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian have been the stars — excuse me, co-stars — of Denver’s quarterback battle, but the moment the Broncos ran back out onto the field for the third quarter, it was the Paxton Lynch show.
Whether Sanchez or Siemian walk away with the starting job Week 1, it’s Lynch’s job long term.
And on Thursday night, it was the beginning of a new era.
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/763914831380422659
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/763914832596705280
Unfortunately, Lynch’s career in the orange and blue began with a whimper, as he immediately went three and out, taking a sack to close out the drive.
I don’t like the play call to roll Paxton to his non throwing side on his very first play
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 12, 2016
Guessing Sanchez hasn’t shown Paxton that left handed throw to start a game yet
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) August 12, 2016
Paxton Lynch sacked on 3rd down.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/763915388602023936
Expect Paxton Lynch to scramble a lot this preseason. Young rookie still learning the playbook. The safe thing to do is run. And he will
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 12, 2016
From there, though, Lynch turned it on, showing off the sort of arm strength and mobility neither Sanchez or Siemian possess.
There’s a reason the Broncos traded up in the first round to draft the big-armed Memphis quarterback, and he showed why on Thursday night.
Lynch settling in nicely. Showing off his strong arm. Can fit it into any tight window #Broncos @PaxtonLynch
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/763920756912758784
PAxton Lynch has a 13-yard gain on a nice comeback route to DeVier Posey. Bibbs gains 3 on the next play. Lynch 5/5
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 12, 2016
Lynch has what you'd call a "live arm." Also like how he scrambled outside & held the ball as he gets to sideline to ensure the 1st down.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 12, 2016
Paxton Lynch scrambles for the 1st down and that's what you're not hearing about from training camp.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 12, 2016
Paxton Lynch so far perfect on game script.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 12, 2016
The Broncos are working on @PaxtonLynch 's field skills right now. . . Walk before you run huddle control etc. . He's got it going
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/763925493758386176
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/763925592915927040
I’ll tell you what … Lynch looks a whole heck of a lot better than Osweiler did in his first three preseasons #Broncos
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) August 12, 2016
Paxton Lynch looks good. I've seen some big time drive throws. Huge arm. Climbing the pocket too.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/763926692909846528
And while he didn’t put any points on the board, Lynch moved the offense, completing six of his seven passes for 74 yards.
Sorry but @PaxtonLynch has put himself back in this competition. He passed every test. His on field skills are there. next is against No. 1s
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/763932302569197568
Still, that doesn’t mean Lynch is likely to be playing in games that count anytime soon. Remember, he was going up against the Bears’ third- and fourth-string defense.
Not to mention, the two quarterbacks in front of him, Sanchez and Siemian, played well, too. In fact, as a unit, the Denver Broncos quarterbacks finished the game 23 for 32 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
That type of production, along with the defense’s dominance, should allow Broncos Country to breath a little easier as they head into the regular season.
