The Denver Broncos addressed the quarterback position during this NFL offseason by landing one of the biggest names available on the free-agent market. Case Keenum agreed to a deal with the team to become the starting quarterback in Denver, but there were a lot of questions remaining about who would be the backup.
The obvious choice for the Broncos coaching staff was the former first-round pick, Paxton Lynch. However, it appears Lynch has been far from impressive during this year's training camp and has lost his backup job to Chad Kelly, according to head coach Vance Joseph via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
Vance Joseph: “Chad Kelly is our backup now.” Said things can always change, but Kelly is No. 2 now.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 13, 2018
Lynch losing the job as Keenum's backup is a devastating blow to his future in Denver and in the NFL for that matter. The Memphis product was selected 26th overall back in 2016 with the team's brass having high hopes he'd be the future face of the franchise. Unfortunately, things have panned out that way with Kelly, who was taken in the seventh round last year, being the second man on the depth chart.
Kelly played a considerable amount of time in the team's first preseason game against Keenum's former team in the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings put on an offensive display with all three quarterbacks that took a snap throwing at least one touchdown, including former Bronco Trevor Siemian who led the way with two.
Lynch, however, finished with only 24 yards on six completions. He threw 11 passes with one of them being an interception. Kelly threw 10 more passes (21) completing 14 for 177 yards, two interceptions, and one interception. An impressive stat line against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
The fact that Kelly has already leaped Lynch on the depth chart is a telling sign and it could ultimately result in the team finally deciding to part ways with Lynch before the 2018 campaign gets underway.
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