Time for Lynch to start at QB for Broncos, says Stokley, Hasselbeck
Nov 15, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 8:19 am
No, the Denver Broncos haven’t yet been mathematically eliminated from the AFC playoff picture. But, if things keep along this path, Brandon Stokley said on Tuesday, it shouldn’t be long.
“My eyeballs know what I’m seeing,” Stokley said. “So, yeah, they’re not mathematically eliminated, but I think all of Broncos Country deep down they are done.”
And with that mentality in mind, Stokley said it “only makes sense” to make a move at the quarterback position to 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch.
“You’re not mathematically eliminated, but this team isn’t going anywhere in the playoffs. So, why not see what you’ve got?” Stokley said. “I’d rather sit here at 4-12 than 7-9. I mean, you get a lot better draft pick. You’re going to need to probably find your quarterback of the future. You’ll have a lot better chance and opportunity to do that if you are 4-12.
“So, if Paxton is not good at all, at least you’re going to get a high draft pick out of it.”
And the “Stokley & Zach” co-host had some back up on that point Tuesday, as ESPN NFL analyst Tim Hasselbeck said Lynch should get his shot.
“The season, not that it’s completely lost already, but I think we probably all agree, this doesn’t look (like a team who can) win the division or a team that’s going to do any damage in the postseason,” Hasselbeck said. “I think now’s the time to play him.”
However, any change wouldn’t happen until after Sunday, if at all, as Broncos head coach Vance Joseph indicated on Monday that Brock Osweiler will be under center at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Osweiler will be making his third consecutive start after taking over for third-year pro Trevor Siemian in Week 9.
Through his first two starts, Osweiler has compiled a 0-2 record while completing 52 percent of his passes for 447 yards, two touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 62.5.
On Monday, Joseph said he was “very pleased” with the way Osweiler’s played thus far in 2017.
“In my opinion, Brock played a solid game again yesterday,” Joseph said. “Offensively we moved the ball. Obviously, in the red zone, it wasn’t great, we were 1-for-4. As far as moving the ball, it was efficient, it was right, and we made some explosive plays yesterday on that side of the ball.
“I was very pleased with how he played.”
Lynch, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since Week 3 of the preseason, started two games last season as a rookie, filling in for the injured Siemian.
In three games, including a strong performance off the bench when Siemian first injured his non-throwing shoulder last season, Lynch completed 59 percent of his passes for 497 yards, two touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 79.2.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
