We now know that Trevor Siemian will start Thursday’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. We also know that Paxton Lynch will start the Broncos’ second preseason game on Aug. 19 against the San Francisco 49ers. After that, we’ll likely know who will be the starting quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season. But until that time, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph is keeping things close to the vest about the biggest question in Denver sports.
Here’s a few things we do know about what to expect from the quarterbacks in the preseason opener, however, based on what Coach Joseph said following Monday’s practice.
Trevor Siemian will start
Said Joseph… “It’s going to be Trevor [Siemian]. It will be Trevor first. He’s been first out all spring and all training camp. I think Trevor has earned that much, to be the first guy out.”
That doesn’t mean Siemian leads the QB competition
Said Joseph… “No, he’s first out. He’s been first all training camp and he’s been first out all spring. It’s an open competition. The games matter. The games start Thursday. I want to get to the games so we can get to the bottom of this.”
Both QBs will get more snaps than an otherwise established starter would get in the first preseason game
Said Joseph… “I’m not sure [how much playing time the quarterbacks will get in Thursday’s preseason game], but it’s going to be more than most starting quarterbacks would play the first couple of weeks.”
Both QBs will get time with the first- and second-team offenses
Said Joseph… “It’s going to be a mix of both. Obviously, when the first guy leaves, we’re going to keep some ones in just to keep the offense intact so the guy can play his best. To answer your question, yes. They’ll be in with ones and twos.”
Beyond that, Joseph isn’t revealing much. Expect much to be gleaned from the first preseason game of the year, but don’t expect anything to be resolved in Denver’s biggest sports question.