Vance Joseph addresses Denver Broncos offseason questions

Vance Joseph faced the media early on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, and talked about the quarterback and left tackle spots…

Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph addressed the media at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, shining some light on burning questions heading into the offseason.

First things first, everyone is wondering about the quarterback situation. While Joseph can’t discuss Tony Romo (because he’s still under contract with the Dallas Cowboys), he shared his feelings on both Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian, and didn’t close the door on adding someone else to the fray.

The last time we heard from Joseph, it seemed he was singing a different tune in regards to the quarterback position. It seems as though he’s softened a bit from the stance he previously took, which was apparently that the Broncos would be selecting between Siemian and Lynch as their starter this season.

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Is Paxton Lynch ready to be a starter in the NFL? If Joseph isn’t clear on that answer yet, OTAs are going to be critical for the former first round pick. They will also be essential for Trevor Siemian, who is still recovering form a bad shoulder injury that could cost him reps through the Spring.

He’s still expected to be mostly ready, but definitely not for contact. That won’t be a problem, since quarterbacks can’t be touched. Still, the Broncos are likely to take a conservative approach there.

With the lack of clarity on Lynch’s development and the injury situation with Siemian, it seems abundantly clear that the Broncos will consider any option at quarterback, including Tony Romo if/when he’s released. Obviously, it becomes more likely if he’s released, and comes on the Broncos’ terms.

Signing Romo won’t — or can’t — prevent the Broncos from pursuing offensive linemen in free agency, and Joseph touched on that as well:

The approach of free agency first, draft second in regards to the biggest need (tackle) is something the Broncos did a year ago with the QB position. There are veteran options available whether it’s via free agency or trades, but if the Broncos can’t find any viable veteran options, they will look to this year’s draft class.

That’s definitely not the ideal scenario.

The Broncos need a whole group of guys to pave the way in the running game and protect the quarterback, and potentially a big first round investment in Stanford superstar Christian McCaffrey, whom Joseph said is on the team’s interview list:

Here are some other important notes…

On DeMarcus Ware:

Salary Cap Update: