The Denver Broncos are no strangers to quarterback controversy. It was a year ago that Broncos Country was split down the middle on whether the team should ride with Peyton Manning or hand over the reins to Brock Osweiler, and in the end, Gary Kubiak made the right choice: He went back to Manning in Week 17, the Broncos stormed through the playoffs and returned to Denver with a Lombardi Trophy in hand.
Kubiak has proven his adept at handling these sorts of situations before, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Through three weeks, Trevor Siemian did everything you could have asked of a first-year starter — he’s the reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week! — but in the NFL, your time can come and go in the blink of an eye, especially when there’s a rookie phenom waiting in the wings.
Near the end of the second quarter, Siemian, who had the Broncos up 14-7, was thrown to the ground, where he suffered a shoulder injury that would knock him out for the remainder of the game. In his place, Paxton Lynch stepped in, and he did not disappoint.
On his first full drive as the Denver Broncos quarterback, he drove the offense down the field in a two-minute drill that resulted in a field goal to end the half. On his second drive, the first of the second half, he drove the Broncos down the field on an impressive 16-play, eight-minute drive, which resulted in another Brandon McManus field goal.
Impressive, to say the least.
Okay, I'll be the first to ask the question. (I have no pride.) Is this the beginning of the Paxton Lynch era? #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 2, 2016
The level of preparedness Paxton Lynch showed at the end of the first half is a testament to Gary Kubiak and his staff. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) October 2, 2016
All aboard the Paxton bus! pic.twitter.com/ExtC4oDdq8
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) October 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/IanStClair/status/782696616918605824
And it didn’t stop there. Under Lynch, the offense looked a lot more explosive than they did with Siemian in the first half. It was clear that he possessed physical tools that Siemian simply doesn’t have — he pushed the ball down the field more times in two quarters than Siemian had in three games.
The question, though, became: What next?
Siemian was reportedly able to come back into the game if needed, but Kubiak opted to keep Lynch behind center. Was it precautionary or did he just want to see what Lynch could do? Given that Lynch had 24 attempts in just over two quarters, I tend to believe the latter.
More importantly, it’s hard to deny that Lynch didn’t impress. At worst, he certainly didn’t show anything that would lead you to believe he’s not capable of being out on the field.
So, again … what next?
Quarterback controversy …. ENGAGED
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) October 2, 2016
If Siemian isn't hurt too badly and Lynch plays well today, well, I can already smell the QB debate brewing. #FunDayMonday #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 2, 2016
#Broncos Lynch playing well. One thing about Lynch. He's coachable. His footwork has come along way since April. Credit to him. #DENvsTB
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 2, 2016
I'm not so sure there's even a controversy at QB. Lynch is clearly the guy.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) October 2, 2016
This Broncos has clearly been sparked by @PaxtonLynch. . There is going to be some questions to be answered this week. . . #Broncos
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) October 2, 2016
Lynch would finish with 170 yards, a touchdown and a quarterback rating of 94.1. With the Atlanta Falcons on deck, Gary Kubiak has an extremely tough decision before him, but that’s why they pay him the big bucks.
Let us know who you think should be starting in the comments.