With the all important third preseason game approaching Trevor Seimian was named the starter and the team has yet to name the second team qb for the game. Speculation has begun that the Broncos would go from Seimian to Lynch if Seimian was hurt or played poorly in the regular season. The $4.5 million Sanchez is garunteed if he is on the roster on week one isn't much even in terms of a backup quarterback but if you expect to pass him over for the job anyway, and Lynch plays well with the second unit do you then release Sanchez and look at the waiver wire after preseason?
Some experts have said turning to another journeyman backup makes no sense but if you could get a guy who is experienced but essentially a third quarterback at a veteran minimum why not choose that path? Some familiar names might wind up free agents come the week 4 of the preseason. A few guys to watch are Christian Ponder who was signed to compete for the third string qb with the 49ers. The team seems to really like his competition and he is a young developmental guy which could prove to be useful for Chip Kelly. However Ponder has looked the part in his limited action going 7-8 for 86 yards 1 td, 0 ints, and added 2 carries for 21 yards and 1 td in front of none other than the Broncos. Who watched Sanchez play poorly and play a part in two turnovers. Ponder spent time with the Broncos as a third qb last season so he has some knowledge of the playbook.
Another guy to watch is Zac Dysert. Dysert was beaten out by Seimian last year for the third job but was drafted by the Broncos in the 7th round in 2013, and spent his first two seasons, and three training camps with Denver. He played in 6 preseason games during that time.
As a rookie he totalled 12 of 23 for 179 yards and 1 td as well as 5 carries for 20 yards.
In 2014 he displayed much better accuracy and decision making, ultimately completing 12 of 18 passes for 106 yards 1 td, and 0 ints, 6 carries for 6 yards.
In 2015 he played in very limited action throwing just 9 passes completing only 3 for 23 yards 0 TDs, 0 ints. He spent the season bouncing from practice squad to practice squad going from Chicago, to Houston, to Buffalo.
In 2016 he signed with the Dolphins and has displayed mobility and solid accuracy. He has played in all three games. He went 4 of 8 for 60 yards, 1 td, 0 int, and 3 carries for 1 yard in the first two games. He came off the bench second against the Falcons, and went 6 of 7 for 57 yards 0 TDs, 0 ints, adding 4 carries for 18 yards 0 TDs. He however lead the team to 10 points in two drives. So if you're keeping track in his 7 total games he has 37 completions, 65 attempts, 425 yards, 3 TDs, 0 ints, 18 carries for 45 yards.
Granted he only spent 1 off season with Gary Kubiak as a guy who can come in as a third string qb with knowledge of the system, and familiarity with the organization as well as the traits he looks for in a quarterback, accuracy, mobility, decision making, and ability to avoid turnovers, I think Dysert in his 4th season would look like a solid option to fill that role.
There is also the outside chance that Geno Smith winds up a free agent, granted he is a guy who is at a cross roads in his career but he could be a guy the Broncos could look at as a low risk backup with some upside. As of right now Smith is more or less in a battle with Bryce Petty a qb drafted by the current GM and coach, where as Geno Smith was not. Smith definitely checks the box in terms of mobility having run the fastest 40 yard dash of the combine in 2013 a 4.56 which puts him roughly on par with the average for wide receivers and cornerbacks typically the fastest guys on the field. He also stands 6'3 220 lbs and has solid arm strength. I have always thought he would thrive in an offense that relied on moving the pocket and keeping defensive linemen on the move while giving his receivers more time to get open. While his overall sample size isn't terribly impressive his most recent game was impressive enough to warrant a look in the capacity the Broncos would ask of him. He played one game last year Completing 27 of 42 passes for 265 yards 2 TDs, 1 int while being sacked 3 times. He also ran 2 times for 34 yards. He showed quite the chemistry with bigger receiver Brandon Marshall who caught 9 passes during the game which could bode well for his chances in Denver when he has guys like Demaryius Thomas, Cody Latimer, Cooper Taylor, and Virgil Green.
They could also explore the trade market looking at a couple Browns QBs in Josh McCown who would be an attractive option again because of his mobility and ability to move the pocket. He also brings unique experiences. He started his career as the franchise qb in Arizona, eventually bottomed out in the league and was even coaching high school football for a year before latching on as a backup in Chicago where he ultimately turned a string of games into a career resurgence that led to him signing with both the Buccaneers and Browns to compete for the starting job. He also has a history of learning playbooks quick.
The other guy who could be had cheap if McCown is kept would be Austin Davis, another mobile guy who's game is all about mid range accuracy which is ideal for an offense like Denver runs. He also brings a younger option at only 27 years old. He began his career with the Rams as a third string qb and didn't appear inna game until 2014 his third year in the league. He wound up playing in 10 games starting 8 and playing well. He completed over 63% of his passes for 2001 yards, 12 TDs, 9 ints, adding 16 carries for 36 yards. He was also sacked nearly three times a game and didn't have a run game or the talent at wide receiver the Broncos have to lean on. The very next season he was with the Browns where he played in 3 games starting 2 completing just under 60% of his passes for 547 yards 1 td, 3 ints, 7 carries for 33 yards. With 13 games and 10 starts under his belt he would walk in as the most experienced qb in Denver.
Another cheap option but extremely valuable backup would be Aaron Murray. Murray has yet to take a regular season snap but is in his third season with Kansas City in a three way competition for third string with Tyler Bray and rookie draft pick Kevin Hogan. Murray holds the most value between Bray and Murray which would make sense for the Chiefs to explore trades with. Hogan is likely to be kept on the roster and Bray likely could be stashed on the practice squad. Murray however likely would get claimed on waivers and result in no compensation for the team. The Broncos are obviously always looking for an advantage over a rival and having a few former Chiefs players to coach them up on the playbook never hurts.
While I see the logic in not letting Sanchez go honestly even if you believe that he would last on the market until after week 1 there is logic to releasing him, it essentially removes the garuntee on his contract, then you could potentially resign him to a lower salary for a year or two and stretch out the cap charge and helping the team in the long run. There is value in having a veteran around the young QBs even if he doesn't play. However there are other options.
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