The Denver Broncos' regular-season finale against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday doesn't mean a whole lot. The 8-7 Broncos, already eliminated from the postseason, are reduced to playing the role of spoilers.
But one thing the Broncos might be able to glean from Sunday is a little more information about Paxton Lynch, the quarterback they took 26th overall in May's NFL Draft. Lynch has served as Trevor Siemian's backup this season.
Lynch will play Sunday — but in a limited role. Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak told reporters Wednesday that Siemian is going to start but that Lynch will get snaps, too.
Lynch has made two starts and appeared in three games this season while Siemian was dealing with injuries. The (extremely) early returns weren't great. Lynch did well when he was inserted in the second half against Tampa Bay in Week 4, throwing for 170 yards and a touchdown. But in two starts against Atlanta and Jacksonville, he completed 59 percent of his passes with one touchdown and one interception.
Sunday represents a chance for him to earn playing time in a low-stakes environment.
The Broncos have a tough decision to make at quarterback in 2017. They could stick with Siemian, the seventh-round pick in the 2015 draft, who's thrown for 3,195 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT and completed 59.3 percent of his passes this season. They could go with Lynch, the raw rookie they traded up to get in the first round in May. Or they could sign a free agent to start under center.
Starting Siemian on Sunday makes you think the team still has confidence in him. Is it possible that Lynch could do something to change someone's mind?
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