Mark Sanchez had his chance. Now, it's Trevor Siemian's turn.
In a nod to an open and fair quarterback competition, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced Thursday that Siemian will start Saturday's second preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Sanchez, who started Denver's preseason debut, went 10-of-13 passing for 99 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Siemian went 7 of 12 for 88 yards.
The news can't be completely welcome for Sanchez, who was thought to have a leg up on the battle heading into training camp. Siemian, a seventh-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Northwestern, has gained momentum throughout minicamp. Spending a year in Kubiak's system last year has its advantages.
The competition could -- or should -- be solved by the all-important third preseason game. With a more realistic planning scenario and longer playing time for the starters, next week should give us an indication of who comes out ahead.
Just this week, John Elway told reporters that the team was good enough around the quarterbacks, regardless of who wins the competition.
"The good thing is we've got a good enough team around them," Elway said, via USA Today. "We'll be able to run the ball, and we won't throw them out there and say, 'You guys have to go win this.' Do your job, make good decisions and keep the team in position to win. And that's really all we're asking of that position right now."
In a perfect world, Siemian lights it up and the Broncos' woes are solved, but in reality it just might make a complicated situation more complex.
