It is never wise to read too much into preseason games, particularly the first preseason game. But after the Broncos’ current backup signal-caller, Paxton Lynch, played miserably in last night’s loss to the Vikings, writers and fans are understandably wondering whether Chad Kelly — who looked quite good outside of one interception — will begin taking reps with the second team.
Case Keenum, whom Denver signed to be its starting QB after he shocked the world with an excellent 2017 campaign for Minnesota, did not play very well in his first real action for the Broncos either, but his job is secure (even though it must have been a little painful for Broncos fans to watch Kirk Cousins, deemed too expensive by Denver’s front office, march his Vikings down the field for a touchdown in his only drive of the night). The real question is how long Lynch, who has been abjectly terrible since the Broncos traded up to draft him in the first round of the 2016 draft, will remain the team’s No. 2 QB (or, for that matter, how long he will remain on the roster).
Both Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post and Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (Twitter link) believe that the team has to bring in a veteran QB to be Keenum’s backup, either through trade or free agency. Kiszla goes so far as to say that GM John Elway made an egregious error in signing Keenum over Cousins, as Cousins is clearly the superior player, and Kiszla calls Elway’s decision penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Kelly, a 2017 seventh-rounder who missed his entire rookie campaign as he recovered from wrist and knee surgeries, was 14-of-21 for 177 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception last night, while Lynch was 6-of-11 for 24 yards and an interception. Lynch was also booed pretty emphatically by his hometown fans, who began “KELL-Y! KELL-Y!” chants while the former Mr. Irrelevant was on the field.
There were already rumblings earlier this week that Kelly could become Keenum’s backup, and head coach Vance Joseph did nothing to dispel that notion after last night’s game. Joseph said, “We’ll see. We’ll watch the tape and see where we are. Obviously Case is the starter, so that’s my main concern. But Chad, he’s played well. He played well tonight outside of the one interception. He is a guy that plays with a lot of confidence” (Twitter link via Jhabvala).
The current list of free agent quarterbacks is fairly uninspiring, but a player like Teddy Bridgewater could be available via trade if the Broncos do indeed choose to go that route.
People are seriously sleeping on Kelly. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him start at least one game this season.
Friendly reminder that Colin Kaepernick exists and is better than every single current backup quarterback possibly excluding Nick Foles
Sounds like someone was over served last night.
Kap can go sit on a fire hydrant. he will never play another snap on an nfl team
I for one am very happy that he’ll never play in the NFL again. Bye felicia
He and Reid can continue the bromance they have, watching football on the couch.
Lmao Johnny football will get signed before Kap does I will bet all the money I have ever made plus all the money I will ever make on that
Manziel looked much better in his 2nd CFL outing last night.
Why can’t Kelly be the backup? How is he going to get experience if he doesn’t play?
If you can convince him, i would say give matt moore a shot to be 3rd stringer with a chance to be the backup. He can handle the starting job in a pinch but he also has a lot of experience he can help kelly with on the sidelines.
Elway is probably hoping he can lure Rodgers from the Packers in 2 years but by then the Denver defense will be a shadow of what it once was.
Wow, not sure where to start with this one.
Elway scored a ring by snatching an aging Peyton Manning from the Colts so there is a precedent in place. GMs aren’t opposed to trying strategies that have worked for them in the past.
Kelly was a good draft pick. Injuries and off the field issues aside. With Lynch, it is very tough taking a projectable QB late in the first round. With that said, Lynch may still develope in to a player with his raw talents.