As Denver Broncos receivers, tight ends and two quarterbacks attend the final day of passing camp at Mark Sanchez’s alma mater Mission Viejo High School, the stars are aligning for him to open the season as the starting quarterback for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Yes, team president John Elway is said to still trying to lure Colin Kaepernick away from the San Francisco 49ers., and Kaepernick has said he will take a huge pay cut to join the Broncos—although perhaps not one as large as Denver wants him to take.
Sanchez, who Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said would have a chance to challenge for the starting job that was shared last year by the now-retired Peyton Manning and the new-Houston Texan Brock Osweiler, is apparently impressing Denver brass with his leadership skills.
There also seems to be a notion swirling in Denver’s cannabis-fortified air that former USC star Sanchez can find the success that eluded him as a New York Jet starter and Philadelphia Eagle backup because of the Broncos’ better offensive system and surrounding cast.
Or, it could just be negotiation chatter aimed at nudging Kaepernick in the direction of the Rockies.
Even if “Kap” comes to Denver, Sanchez is said to still be assured that opportunity to vie for the starting slot, as will the second-year QB he brought out to Mission Viejo this week to work out with him, Trevor Siemian.
The Broncos have nothing to do with the off-season camp that Sanchez also held while he was with the Jets and Eagles, but Siemian has said he appreciates being able to get some passes in before the official Denver training camp, when he expects to be joined by at least three other quarterbacks.
Receiver Bernie Fowler said from Mission Viejo earlier this week that he would not be surprised to see Sanchez in the huddle when the season begins.
“He’s taken the Jets to two AFC Championship Games, he’s been in the league for a long time,” Fowler told Denver 9News. “He’s a good player. This will be a good situation.”
