Broncos name Trevor Siemian as starting QB over Paxton Lynch

The Broncos gave Paxton Lynch every opportunity to win the starting quarterback job, but in the end they have decided to stick with Trevor Siemian under center to start the season.

First-year coach Vance Joseph announced Monday that Siemian will get the start for the season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 11, calling it a "clear-cut" decision.

Joseph had taken pains to split first-team reps between the quarterback contenders evenly throughout camp, and each got a start in the first two weeks of the preseason. Siemian has won the statistical battle, for what that's worth in the preseason, going 14 of 18 for 144 yards to Lynch's 15 of 22 for 81 yards and generally doing a better job of moving the offense down the field.

Joseph also tipped his hand with his comments following the Broncos' 33-14 rout of the 49ers on Saturday, in which Lynch got the start but Siemian was more impressive in relief.

While Joseph noted (via the team's website) that the offense "left some points out there" while Lynch was at the helm, he had the following assessment of Siemian's play:

"Trevor, he was solid. He was Trevor. He made good decisions. His ball placement was on point tonight. He controlled the huddle. So I was pleased with Trevor."

Everything the Broncos have seen so far this preseason, then, made a solid case for Siemian to start, just as he did in 14 games last season. But you can bet numerous teams around the NFL would love to have a backup like Lynch on hand in case of emergency.