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Ranking every Denver Broncos quarterback since Peyton Manning

By Matthew Nagashima

Denver Broncos, Paxton Lynch, Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian - Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos, Paxton Lynch, Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian - Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos
Aug 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos QBs since Peyton Manning: The Heir Apparent

Paxton Lynch (2016-2017): 792 Pass Yards, 4 TD, 4 Int. 55 Rush Yards

Bringing up the rear in our rankings is Paxton Lynch. The Broncos traded up to get him with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 draft, in the wake of losing Osweiler, trading for Sanchez, and trying to acquire Kaep. And I get it.

We needed a body in the room.

Lynch had the arm strength, the athleticism, the build. On paper, he was a carbon copy prospect of Brock. 6’7″ big-armed passer.

He came into an open camp battle with 2015 7th Round pick Trevor Siemian, and Mark Sanchez. Despite a good preseason showing, Trevor Siemian got the nod. Paxton got to play three times his rookie year.

In his first game, he flashed promise, throwing for 170 yards and his first TD in relief of Siemian in a win over Tampa Bay, and earned the start the next week. After 223 yards, 1 TD, a pick, and a loss to Atlanta, he was back on the bench until Week 13, where he helped Denver to a 20-10 win over Jacksonville.

In 2017, he went down with a shoulder injury in the preseason. Paxton made a brief appearance in Week 12, throwing an interception and injuring his ankle. We saw him again in Week 17 vs the Chiefs, where he threw 254 yards, 2 scores, and 2 picks.

It was the last time he played in a regular season game in Denver.

The team signed Case Keenum that spring, and Paxton was off the team by fall, just two years after being drafted.

What’s so noteworthy about Paxton Lynch as a Broncos quarterback is that he barely played.

In 2016 and 2018 he was unable to win the starting job in the offseason, and in 2017 he was hurt. Why was bait cut so quickly? It felt like the team internally gave up on him very quickly, and what we got to see on the field didn’t move the needle.

In fact, since 1960, no 1st Round QB who suited up for an NFL team played in fewer games than Lynch, who appeared in 5.

Stathead is a heck of a tool. Nowhere to go but up from here guys, it’s really not that bad. Cleveland did this for 20 years, and they still have a quarterback controversy. Chins up.

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