Quarterback quandaries
Denver picks Siemian; others still deciding
The pivotal third week of the NFL’s preseason is approaching, with one quarterback battle decided and others entering a definitive phase. Here’s where things stand for teams seeking answers at their most important position.
GAME OVER
Denver Broncos: To the surprise of few, Trevor Siemian held off 2016 first-rounder Paxton Lynch for the second consecutive year, with new coach Vance Joseph saying Monday, “It’s a permanent decision. As far as Trevor being our guy, he’s our guy.”
Assuming Siemian stays healthy, perhaps his biggest bugaboo after otherwise showing a fair amount of promise while taking over for retired Peyton Manning last season, it’s worth wondering how invested general manager John Elway remains in Lynch.
TO BE DETERMINED
Jacksonville Jaguars: They spent the offseason bolstering a strong supporting cast around fourth-year QB Blake Bortles, but the Jags never expected he might fumble the job away in August. But after watching him lead the offense to three points in six preseason drives, coach Doug Marrone is evenly splitting practice reps between Bortles and veteran Chad Henne, who has made 53 NFL starts, entering Thursday night’s game. Yet given Jacksonville would owe Bortles $19 million in 2018 after activating his fifth-year option in the offseason — the money’s only guaranteed if he’s injured — there might be growing incentive to cut him or bury him on the bench, which is what the Washington Redskins did to Robert Griffin III under similar circumstances in 2015.
New York Jets: If they’re seeking a way to lock themselves into the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft, presumably to win the sweepstakes for Southern California’s Sam Darnold, starting Christian Hackenberg might guarantee that outcome. Hackenberg, who didn’t play a snap as a rookie in 2016 after being a second-round selection, was abys-
Coach Dabo Swinney named Kelly Bryant, who served as Watson’s understudy the last two seasons, as the starter vs. Kent State. Bryant was pushed in camp by freshmen Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson; the latter arrived as a five-star recruit.
It’s possible all three could see action, especially if Bryant struggles. The decision to stick with Bryant or make a change must come quickly, with Auburn and Louisville following the opener.
MICHIGAN
Coach Jim Harbaugh is notorious for being coy about his roster and who will play at any position on the field. He is following this approach at quarterback. Even though Wilton Speight started all but one game last season, Harbaugh has been consistent in saying the position is open.
John O’Korn had success at Houston before transferring to Michigan. He was a backup last year with so-so results. It’s hard to see him unseating Speight, who brings experience to a team lacking veteran leadership. But the Wolverines lost three of their last four, and Harbaugh might be looking for more than a game manager with his team so young.
FLORIDA
Michigan’s opponent on opening weekend has its own quarterback quandary. Florida is considering three candidates.
Malik Zaire didn’t get his transfer from Notre Dame made official until this summer after the Southeastern Conference changed its graduate transfer rules. He faces two contenders in redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and junior Luke Del Rio. The latter started six games last season before a shoulder injury forced him out of the lineup.
With the investment coach Jim McElwain made in Zaire’s transfer, expect him to be the guy to take the opening snap against the Wolverines. It remains to be seen how well he will perform after attempting 98 passes in three seasons with the Irish. That could open the door for Franks or Del Rio.
MIAMI (FLA.)
The Hurricanes are loaded with young talent and are blessed to have the steady hand of Mark Richt leading the program. Their biggest obstacle to reaching the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game for the first time might be figuring out how to replace career passing leader Brad Kaaya.
Malik Rosier won a threeway battle with Evan Shirreffs and N’Kosi Perry to start. The junior will be asked mostly to distribute the ball and avoid mistakes, as there is enough talent around him to make the offense go.
Will he be given a long leash by Richt? Or could difficulty open the door to Shirreffs, who enters the season at No. 2 on the depth chart?
TEXAS A&M
Coach Kevin Sumlin knows his job is on the line. The A&M athletics director made that clear this summer. To make matters more difficult, Sumlin has only one quarterback competing for the starting job who has taken a college snap. That game time, including three starts in two seasons, gives Jake Hubenak an advantage.
It might not be enough with freshmen Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond challenging. Starkel appears to be the front-runner to start against UCLA.
The decision is one Sumlin can’t miss on. If it is Starkel, he hopes the quarterback would follow in the footsteps of Johnny Manziel, the last redshirt freshman to start an opener for the Aggies.