Hogan to start for Broncos in Hall of Fame Game
Kevin Hogan is listed as the No. 2 QB on the Broncos’ depth chart, and because most first-team players won’t participate in the Hall of Fame Game, Hogan will be lining up under center against the Falcons on Thursday instead of Joe Flacco.
After a productive four-year run at Stanford, Hogan was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. After failing to make Kansas City’s 53-man roster, Hogan signed with the Browns’ practice squad. Cleveland didn’t plan to start him, but injuries and poor play at the position led to Hogan appearing in eight games from 2016 to 2017, including one start.
Hogan completed just 59.4% of his passes with the Browns and threw four touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions. In spring 2018, Cleveland traded Hogan to the Redskins, who cut him when they trimmed their roster to 53 players a few months later.
Hogan signed with the Broncos and served as their reserve backup during the 2018 season. Now he’s competing with second-round draft choice Drew Lock for Denver’s primary backup job.
“Kevin’s done a solid job,” Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said after practice Tuesday. “He’s just getting better (and is) more comfortable with the offense. In the end, I just want those guys (the young quarterbacks) to be themselves, to go out there and feel comfortable, relaxed in the offense, show that they feel comfortable in it and manage the game. That means making people around you better just with cadence, getting them lined up and keeping us on the field.”
Hogan probably realizes he’s a long shot to start a regular-season game in Denver, but the 26-year-old plans to make the most of Thursday’s start.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Hogan said Tuesday. “I feel like I’ve put a lot of good work in during the offseason and camp. I’ve grown within this offense, within the system, taken the coaching points.
“I just want to go out and prove that I can execute the offense, be an efficient quarterback and score some points.”
Hogan is above Lock on the depth chart for now, but fans will be clamoring for the second-round draft pick, especially if Hogan struggles. The fourthyear quarterback plans to drown out the noise and focus on himself. Hogan knows that even if he doesn’t make the Broncos’ 53-man roster, his preseason film will be viewed by other NFL teams.
“I’m realistic,” Hogan acknowledged. “Everyone’s self-aware, but at the same time you have to control what you can control. I’m just worried about me.
“I believe that if I can push myself to my potential and keep getting better, then there’ll be a place for me, whether it’s here – I’d love to be here. I love our room, I love our coaching staff and I love being a Bronco. So I’m going to go out and make the most of this opportunity.”