For everyone in Broncos Country, yesterday was a joyous occasion. With the selection of Paxton Lynch, the Denver Broncos got their quarterback of the future, and John Elway got his man.
For one, though, it was a very bitter-sweet selection.
Last month, as the franchise began its desperate search for a quarterback, an unexpected person threw his name into the race … Broncos kicker Brandon McManus.
I know it is free agency and I KICK footballs for a living but I can definitely THROW the pigskin pretty far #justsaying
— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) March 9, 2016
McManus is one of the best kickers in the NFL, if not the best, and you can make a legitimate case that he was the most important offensive weapon the Broncos had last season; his leg single-footedly one several games.
But even he has to acknowledge that the job opening has closed; Paxton Lynch is the man going forward, even if he doesn’t start Week 1.
Hanging up my ARM for the season. It was a good run. Welcome to Denver @PaxtonLynch
— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) April 29, 2016
It’s probably for the best, anyway. The last thing Denver wants is their kicker missing a chip-shot because he’s been tossing the pigskin around too much.