Denver Broncos: Do Not Write Off Paxton Lynch Yet
Due to continued quarterback struggles of Denver Broncos QB Trevor Siemian, the team might be forced to set sail with a familiar face.
The first two games for Trevor Siemian was about as perfect a young Denver Broncos could play. However, Siemian has regressed at an alarming rate, opening the door for former first round pick Paxton Lynch. Lynch’s start to his NFL career last season was not pretty by any stretch of the imagination. The offense needs jumper cables to kickstart the team’s mojo. This mojo is Paxton Lynch.
It is foolish to write off Lynch because of two horrible NFL games. Lynch’s starts against the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars were about the same as Siemian, bad decisions and horrifying offensive line play. These are two bad games for a rookie we know is a three year project in the NFL. There will be growing pains for a rookie such as an injury in the preseason to the shoulder. Lynch’s injury sidelined him for eight weeks, but he appears to be healthy.
Both pocket presence of Siemian and Lynch are currently terrible. Siemian’s 20+ plus game stretch gives more than enough time to gameplan against. Lynch has better mobility outside the pocket to avoid the rush, but he struggles stepping up.
Siemian and Lynch are also holding the ball too long, but Lynch’s quicker release could be better for the offense to set up screens. Siemian’s play this year is horrendous. He is locking on one wide receiver and never seeing the entire field leaving some targets open.
Siemian is a young quarterback, but he has more games under his belt than Lynch. The Broncos must make a change to another quarterback.
Another notion to not write off Lynch is the play of Dak Prescott, Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff. Wentz, Goff and Prescott were in the same draft class as Lynch. Both seem to be heading in the right direction. Goff is rebounding in year two, while Wentz is a bonafide MVP candidate and superstar.
Trubisky and Watson are tied to this year’s draft. Their play has surprised many in how quickly they responded. Prescott’s story and ties to the Broncos will be one to monitor for his entire career if Lynch never pans out. That said, Prescott’s acumen, leadership, and arm accuracy with a strong arm gives Lynch a glimmer of hope he can do the same.
In back-to-back years, the Broncos did draft the player they wanted from the start. Lynch’s big arm and mobility is better than Siemian. Yet, the difference is his effectiveness to learn a playbook. Learning a playbook and comparing talent are two drastic things.
If Broncos turn to Lynch this season, Mike McCoy must construct an offense somewhat identical to Cam Newton’s rookie year. Newton’s talent is once in a lifetime, but understanding ins-and-outs of a playbook was not a strong suit. His coaches cut half the field for him. This made decisions easier on one read. This is one of many reasons Newton thrived in his rookie year.
McCoy’s propensity to insert a new playbook is nothing new for the Broncos. In order to make Lynch thrive in the NFL or at least in the short term, they must consider all options that will make Lynch comfortable.
It clearly has not resonated with Lynch about the NFL yet, but his two NFL regular season games and 2017 preseason is not a good sign for the first rounder. However, it is very childish to rule a player off based on two professional seasons.
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If Lynch does start and is terrible, then the front office will know to invest in another quarterback in the offseason. Right now, the Broncos are on a track to add a new quarterback via free agency or in the draft. But let’s give Lynch a second chance for right now to redeem himself.
No player in their right mind wants the bust label by their name and Lynch is not one yet.