Your inbox approves Men's coaches poll Women's coaches poll Play to win 25K!
NFL

Where NFL quarterback battles stand heading into Week 3 of preseason

Nate Davis
USA TODAY

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:

QB Blake Bortles has been the Jaguars' starter since 2014.

GAME OVER
Denver Broncos: To the surprise of few, Trevor Siemian held off 2016 first rounder Paxton Lynch for the second straight year, with new head 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 GM John Elway remains in Lynch.

More:Winston poised to lead Bucs back to playoffs

More:Cutler looks sharp in joint practice with Eagles

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

More:SIGN UP!: NFL newsletter delivers our best coverage

TO BE DETERMINED
Jacksonville Jaguars: They spent the offseason bolstering an already strong supporting cast around fourth-year QB Blake Bortles, but the Jags never expected he might fumble the job away in August. However after watching him lead the offense to three points in six preseason drives, coach Doug Marrone is now evenly splitting practice reps between Bortles and veteran Chad Henne, who has 53 NFL starts under his belt, heading into 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 may 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 USC's Sam Darnold, starting Christian Hackenberg might guarantee that outcome. Hackenberg, who didn't play one snap as a rookie in 2016 after being a second-round selection, was abysmal Saturday night after he received a surprise start against the Detroit Lions. Coach Todd Bowles doesn't plan to name a starter until next week, but journeyman Josh McCown will almost surely get the nod if the Jets want to be remotely competitive. Bryce Petty seems like an afterthought.

Cleveland Browns: Like the Jets, they might be pursuing one of the promising studs expected to highlight the 2018 draft ... unless they make a move for Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins in free agency first. For now, coach Hue Jackson seems to be deciding between veteran Brock Osweiler and rookie DeShone Kizer and hopes to "put this thing to bed" Wednesday.

Judging by the stats, it's a slam dunk for Kizer, who lofted a game-winning 45-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the preseason opener, then scored Cleveland's only TD in Monday night's win over the New York Giants on a 1-yard run. He's got a great arm and provides a dimension of mobility that Osweiler lacks. But Kizer has not yet faced starting-level competition, and Jackson and his staff have seemed content to bring the second rounder along slowly. Jackson praised Kizer for playing "much better" Monday but admitted his verdict will likely be based on a gut feeling. That could mean a nod for Osweiler, who initially didn't appear to be in the club's plans after being acquired in an offseason salary dump. Cody Kessler seems destined for clipboard duties. 

ROOKIE WATCH
Chicago Bears: No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky has been busy impressing skeptical Bears fans this month. But stopgap Mike Glennon, who has the support of veteran coach John Fox, rebounded in his second start after a forgettable first outing. Perhaps more telling, Mark Sanchez was first out of the bullpen Saturday, while Trubisky played with reserves clinging to the bottom of the roster.

Houston Texans: After a stirring debut, Deshaun Watson missed on seven of 10 throws in his second contest, while veteran Tom Savage connected on eight of nine, including a touchdown. Coach Bill O'Brien has treated Savage as the starter all year, and it now appears any momentum Watson was building to move to the top of the depth chart has stalled.

Kansas City Chiefs: When they picked Patrick Mahomes in Round 1, there was rampant speculation 2017 would be a redshirt year and possibly 2018, the final year incumbent QB Alex Smith is under contract, too. Coach Andy Reid is resolutely behind Smith, saying Monday: "It's Alex's job. That's what it is. There's no gray area with that."

Still, Mahomes appears to be well ahead of schedule and is now entrenched as the primary backup after three of his first 17 preseason completions resulted in touchdowns.

***

Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

PHOTOS: NFL cheerleaders

 

Featured Weekly Ad