Trevor Siemian has been here before, looking ahead to a preseason game in his college town of Chicago, awaiting his first live opportunity to audition for the Broncos’ starting job. He knows the routine, knows the inherent pressure and has shown a knack for managing both.
But recently, something changed for him as he took more repetitions and saw more time in Mike McCoy‘s system. As the offense got more complex in practice, Siemian appeared to hit his stride.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) warms up before practice during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) turns to hand off in practice during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos T.J. Ward and Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) walks of the field after practice during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos cornerback Brendan Langley (27) walks off the field after signing autographs for fans during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos cornerback Brendan Langley (27) walks off the field after signing autographs for fans during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos Asst. Head Coach/Running Backs Eric Studesville talks with the running backs during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) catches a pas in drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) catches a pas in drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles (28) Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) and Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) in drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) and Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles (28) watch drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles (28) catches a pas in drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back De'Angelo Henderson (33) Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles (28) Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) in drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) catches a pas in drills during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) turns to hand off to Denver Broncos running back Stevan Ridley (4) in practice during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) turns to hand off to Denver Broncos running back Stevan Ridley (4) in practice during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) warms up before practice during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) learning to take snaps for extra points during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) learning to take snaps for extra points during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) listens to instructions from special teams coordinator Brock Olivo as he shows him how to take a snap for extra points during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) listens to instructions from special teams coordinator Brock Olivo as he shows him how to take a snap for extra points during training camp on Aug. 8, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado at Dove Valley.
“I can’t tell exactly when, but probably a week or so I just kind of felt a little more comfortable, like things were clicking for me and I got a big-picture thought of how we’re trying to attack scheme and defenses,” Siemian said Tuesday. “I just felt comfortable … getting going and also getting a feel for all the guys. First, second, third (team), it doesn’t matter — just getting a feel for how guys run, what they do well and I think we’re all in a good spot right now.”
Thursday, in the Broncos’ preseason opener against the Bears, Siemian will start and play approximately a quarter and a half before handing the keys to Paxton Lynch. In the Broncos’ second preseason game against the 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Lynch will start and Siemian will likely take over in the second quarter.
Preseason action, head coach Vance Joseph has emphasized, counts the most in this quarterback competition. But in the long term, McCoy is out to build an uptempo offense that’s “explosive” and does “whatever it takes to score as many points and score as fast as we can, week in and week out.”
After 11 days of training camp, Siemian said he has a good idea of the expectations.
“I think I got a feel for all of us,” he said. “We want to put pressure on the defense every snap, every play and that’s a common theme all over the place. It’s just how well we can do it. I think with the guys we have — the receivers, running backs and the way our offensive line is coming together, I think we have a good chance to do that.”
