Siemian tabbed as starter for Broncos
From afterthought to starter, Trevor Siemian is Peyton Manning’s successor.
Coach Gary Kubiak told the team Monday that Siemian will be the starting quarterback when the Denver Broncos face the Carolina Panthers in the season opener Sept. 8.
Siemian will become the only quarterback with zero passing attempts to take over a defending Super Bowl champion in Week 1.
Kubiak informed Siemian and fellow quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch of his decision before telling their teammates.
A 2015 seventh-round selection from Northwestern, Siemian has taken only one snap in the NFL, a kneeldown when he was the No. 3 quarterback last year behind Manning and longtime backup Brock Osweiler.
Manning retired a month after the Broncos’ 24-10 win over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, and Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans 48 hours later.
General Manager John Elway quickly acquired Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles and drafted Lynch in the first round.
Sanchez is expected to be cut, a move that would save the Broncos $3.5 million and a conditional seventh-round draft pick.
Chargers sign Bosa
Joey Bosa ended his holdout when he signed a four-year contract with the San Diego Chargers.
The team announced the signing five days after the two sides went public in their nasty spat over payment of Bosa’s $17-million signing bonus and language in the contract.
The signing also came a day after the Chargers’ defense played poorly in a 23-10 exhibition loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Chargers threatened last Wednesday to reduce their offer to Bosa under the assumption he wouldn’t be ready to play a full season. The defensive end from Ohio State was the No. 3 pick in the draft.
Etc. The Cleveland Browns traded three-time Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee to the Panthers after he failed to attempt a tackle in an exhibition loss at Tampa Bay. Lee slowed up and made no effort to bring down a return man during a 73-yard touchdown return. The Browns traded him for punter Kasey Redfern and a 2018 fourthround pick . ... The Detroit Lions traded receiver Jeremy Kerley to the San Francisco 49ers for offensive guard Brandon Thomas. Kerley became expendable in Detroit after the team signed former 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin during the off-season . ... The Seattle Seahawks released veteran defensive back Brandon Browner . ... Paul Kruger was released by the Browns, a move the veteran linebacker called “absolutely the wrong decision.” ... The Arizona Cardinals waived injured quarterback Jake Coker, an undrafted rookie who helped Alabama win the national title last season. ... The New Orleans Saints acquired defensive end Chris McCain from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a future draft choice . ... The Buccaneers’ exhibition against the Washington Redskins was moved from Thursday to Wednesday because of potentially severe weather in Tampa.