Camp battles start at quarterback
Experience gives Osweiler, Siemian an edge
NFL training camps will open in a matter of weeks, but it’s not too early to look at the most exciting position battles being waged across the league — those at the open quarterback spots:
DENVER BRONCOS
This is the most entertaining battle to monitor. The Broncos are playoff contenders with a sound defense and plenty of skill-position talent. Trevor Siemian (59.5 % completion rate, 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) played well last season, but waiting in the wings is 2016 firstround pick Paxton Lynch (59% completion rate, 497 yards, two touchdowns, one interception.
Why Lynch might win the job: Lynch is by far the more physically gifted of the two. He’s 6-7 with a powerful arm and can flash excellent mobility when needed. He likely allows offensive coordinator Mike McCoy to be more creative in crafting a game plan because of those traits.
Why Siemian might win the job: What Siemian lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with experience and knowledge of the system. Siemian showed in 2016 that he could be a serviceable starter who can take care of the ball and make sound decisions.
Who will win the job? This is probably the toughest race to call, but it could be difficult for Denver to pull a player who performed well. That means that Lynch probably will have to surpass expectations to win the gig.
CLEVELAND BROWNS Brock Osweiler was initially seen as expendable after Cleveland took on his salary to acquire a second-round draft pick from the Houston Texans, but early indications are that he has been impressive. Cody Kessler is the incumbent and showed potential in 2016.
Why Kessler might win the job: In a roster sorely lacking talent last season, Kessler actually played OK. He appeared in nine games, started eight, and completed 65.6% of his passes for 1,380 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Granted, the production was low for the volume of snaps, but it was his rookie season, and he should only continue to develop under coach Hue Jackson.
Why Osweiler might win the job: Osweiler has far more experience, though last year was a rough go with the Texans (59% completion rate, 2,957 yards, 15 touchdowns, 16 interceptions).
Who will win the job? The language from executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown hinted that Osweiler might not be in the Browns’ plans.
NEW YORK JETS The Jets are in a rebuild, so it’s odd that their open competition involves a 38-year-old journeyman (Josh McCown) and two unproven passers (Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg).
Why Hackenberg might win the job: After the Jets invested a second-round draft pick in him last year, Hackenberg didn’t appear in a game in 2016 while he worked on significant issues with footwork and accuracy. Uneven performances in organized team activities show he still has work to do, but his time might be now if the Jets are truly in a rebuild.
Why McCown might win the job: McCown is a known commodity after 14 seasons and probably gives the Jets the best chance to win now.
Why Petty might win the job: Petty seems the odd man out but did get some experience last season (56.4% completion rate, 809 yards, three touchdowns, seven interceptions in six games). He understands when to throw the ball with heat and when he needs to apply touch.
Who will win the job? The team could be eyeing one of the draft-eligible prospects next spring in what is widely considered a strong QB class, but Hackenberg should get the nod here if the team truly is embracing a total rebuild.
HOUSTON TEXANS Coach Bill O’Brien has stressed that this is Tom Savage’s job, but Houston did spend a lot of capital to move up from No. 25 in the first round to No. 12 to pick Deshaun Watson. The rookie has the physical gifts, and O’Brien has raved about the former Clemson star’s recall. Of any rookie quarterback, Watson has the best shot to play on Day 1.
Why Savage might win the job: He’s entering his third season, but Savage remains an unknown. Still, he knows the offense far better than Watson, and one of Houston’s primary requirements is for its passer to limit mistakes.
Why Watson might win the job: The rookie has far greater potential. And every time Savage makes a mistake, the pressure from fans to put in Watson will be unavoidable.
Who will win the job? The Texans will do everything they can to make Savage the Week 1 starter to allow Watson time to catch his breath.
CHICAGO BEARS General manager Ryan Pace, coach John Fox and even the two quarterbacks themselves have said this is Mike Glennon’s team — for now. The Bears’ selection of Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick certainly puts more pressure on Glennon to produce.
Why Glennon might win the job: He has experience. Though this is his first season under offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, Glennon is a veteran with four years’ worth of studying NFL playbooks.
Why Trubisky might win the job: There’s a reason the Bears and other teams atop the draft liked Trubisky. He’s accurate, displays good arm strength and has a good grasp of a prostyle offense. But he needs time to adjust to the NFL. The most likely way Trubisky wins this job might be through an injury to Glennon.
Who will win the job? It would be a major shock if Glennon didn’t win this job outright.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS First-year general manager John Lynch opted to start from scratch at quarterback, and San Francisco signed Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley. New coach Kyle Shanahan has said that Hoyer will be the starter.
Why Hoyer might win the job: The biggest thing Hoyer has going for him is experience with Shanahan. While Shanahan was the offensive coordinator with the Browns in 2014, Hoyer started 13 games. He knows the offense, and there’s a comfort level between the two.
Why Barkley might win the job: While Barkley doesn’t have a ton of playing time, he’s well versed in a pro-style scheme and should pick up Shanahan’s offense fairly quickly.
Who will win the job? Like the Bears gig, it would be a complete surprise to see anyone but Hoyer lead the 49ers offense.