Mark Sanchez is the only quarterback on the Denver Broncos’ roster with NFL experience, but there’s a reason he lost his starting job several years ago and has been a backup since. While he likely has an early edge over rookie first-round pick Paxton Lynch, the Broncos are reportedly holding a true quarterback competition in training camp.
In a recent video on Broncos.com, beat reporter Andrew Mason said head coach Gary Kubiak is serious about letting Sanchez, Lynch and even second-year QB Trevor Siemian battle it out.
“When he says it’s going to be an open competition, he means it. Don’t assume anything,” Mason said. “Don’t assume Mark Sanchez is going to get the job. If he’s the best guy he’ll end up earning it, but I wouldn’t go as far as to proclaim a starting quarterback. It’s going to be a fairly wide-open competition.”
Lynch has reportedly been impressive early in training camp, while Sanchez appears to have recovered quickly from a thumb injury. Denver’s defense was good enough to win the Super Bowl last year with a hobbled and aging Peyton Manning, so Kubiak isn’t facing a ton of pressure in making his decision.
For whatever reason, Sanchez thinks the Broncos drafting a QB in the first round bodes well for his chances. However, John Elway has hinted that Sanchez should not get too comfortable. Unlike other situations across the league, it sounds like the best man in training camp truly will get the job in Denver.
