Lynch wants to stay with Broncos

Broncos thirdstring quarterback Paxton Lynch said after practice Tuesday that he “absolutely” hopes to remain with the team after Saturday’s roster cut.

Lynch was demoted to third team after the preseason opener against Minnesota and has remained behind Case Keenum and Chad Kelly.

“I love it here; I’ve said that since Day One,” Lynch said. “I’ve gone through some things. I’ve struggled. I haven’t played well at times. Sometimes, I’ve played well. I have to find that consistency.”

Regardless of how he plays Thursday at Arizona in the final preseason game, Lynch could be cut if the Broncos acquire a veteran passer or simply want to develop a new inexperienced quarterback.

“I’m not worried about anything past the next day,” Lynch said. “I’m focused on preparing myself to play well on Thursday (at Arizona). … I wouldn’t say (the uncertainly produces) stress but obviously you think about it and you’re not happy about it. But I have to do what I have to do with the hand I’ve been dealt.”

Lynch has a passer rating of 42.6 in the preseason.

As for Kelly, he will start against the Cardinals and likely play the first half.

“I would say right now Chad is our ‘2’ and he’s earned it,” head coach Vance Joseph said.

The general thinking was if the Broncos add a veteran quarterback, it would be to fill the No. 2 spot. Is that the case?

“We’re going to play this game and see what happens over the weekend,” Joseph said. “We’ll have our staff and personnel meetings on Friday and Saturday and determine what’s best for the Broncos.”

Kelly, who has a 107.8 passer rating this month, called Thursday’s game, “the last interview you have before the regular season starts.”

“Each rep, I get more and more confident with this offense,” Kelly said. “You start building the chemistry (with the receivers) and even the Oline starts to gel more and they understand how you call the plays and your cadence.”