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Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian Named Co-Starting Quarterbacks

Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian Named Co-Starting Quarterbacks: With the Broncos' pre-season opener three days away, this situation is as muddied as ever.

In the ongoing saga that is the Denver Broncos quarterback situation, a new wrinkle has emerged. Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian have been named co-starters on the team’s first official depth chart. With the Broncos‘ pre-season opener three days away, this situation is as muddied as ever. In the interim, Sanchez and Siemian figure to continue to split first-team reps in training camp. With no starting signal caller named for Thursday night, fans are left with more questions than answers.

Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian Named Co-Starting Quarterbacks

The fact that neither passer has taken the lead in the competition is unsettling, but understandable. Each of these men brings something different to the table. Sanchez has a massive experience edge and has been the presumptive starter all off-season. The eighth-year pro has played in AFC Championships, and has faced some of the league’s toughest competition along the way. While Sanchez has never quite reached the level that he has striven for, he has had his fair share of positive moments throughout his career.

Siemian, on the other hand, has never thrown a pass in a regular season game. He has however, spent time in this system and is the only quarterback holdover from last year’s Super Bowl team. It’s impossible to know what he brings to the table, but clearly he’s shown well in practice. The Broncos may prefer to gamble on his upside, rather than roll with Sanchez’s seemingly established level of production.

What is clear at this time is that rookie Paxton Lynch is not currently a factor in the competition. The Memphis product is viewed as a long-term investment, but he is currently not a legitimate candidate to start. Lynch will continue to soak up the playbook and valuable third-team reps throughout the pre-season, but it still remains likely that he will see regular season action later in the season.

A Hindrance To the Offense?

But how does this effect the offense’s chemistry? After all, quarterback continuity is vital to the success or failure of an NFL franchise. For a team that lacked stability at the position in 2015, is this situation a potential distraction for the defending champs?

Absolutely. Yes, these are professional athletes who are paid to be ready for situations such as this one, but this is a crucial time of year for a quarterback to build a rapport with his offensive line and receivers. Every rep with the starting offense is vital at this time of year, and as such, neither man is receiving enough opportunities to build a relationship with his teammates.

In the end, however, this shouldn’t be enough to derail the team’s momentum. The Broncos were a quarterback revolving door in 2015 and still managed to win a Super Bowl. Whether it’s Mark Sanchez or Trevor Siemian under center in Week One, the game plan isn’t likely to change much. This team will rely on fantastic defense and a renewed emphasis on running the football. Elite quarterback play has never been part of the plan for 2016. While most fans would prefer to see this saga resolved in short order, the Broncos are going to take their time with this one. The pressure is on for the Super Bowl champions, and they won’t rush into any rash decisions.

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