Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has confirmed that Trevor Siemian will start at quarterback in the NFL’s season opener against the Panthers next Thursday.
Kubiak made the announcement just before the players broke off into position-group meetings on Monday. He told Siemian, Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch of his decision before sharing it with the entire team.
Siemian and Sanchez were considered “neck and neck” by Kubiak in the first few games of pre-season, but Siemian nudged ahead thanks to his solid work in camp and his performances in the three pre-season games to date.
Siemian finished 10-of-17 for 122 yards in Saturday’s 17-9 victory over the Rams. Rookie Lynch followed Siemian into Saturday’s game as the Broncos’ No2 quarterback, and Sanchez did not play.
It is unclear, for the moment, what Kubiak’s plan for the No2 quarterback is – and what it all means for the near future of Mark Sanchez.
Kubiak hinted which way he was leaning in his evaluation of Siemian after Saturday’s game. “I’m impressed, I think he’s very calm,’’ Kubiak said. “I can tell by the way he handles the team in the huddle, he’s got control of what’s going on. Gets a bad break on the ‘go’ ball and comes right back and goes down the field. I think what I see is a guy getting better.”
Siemian, 24, was picked in the seventh round of the 2015 draft, and was the seventh and final quarterback to be taken.
The reigning champion Broncos will kick off the new season against the Panthers in a Super Bowl rematch on 8 September.
