Denver Broncos' Vance Joseph: Lynch can 'relax,' learn from Keenum

Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph said that the clearly defined roles of the team's quarterbacks could be a positive for quarterback Paxton Lynch.

Lynch, after all, failed to capture the starting quarterback job in two years since being selected with the 26th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Now, the 24-year-old carries the clearly defined role of backup to offseason acquisition Case Keenum, who signed a two-year, $36 million contract in March.

"I think for Paxton and our football team it's been a weight off all of our backs to have a starting quarterback and have everyone's role defined from Day 1," Joseph said on Saturday. "So for Paxton, he can relax and get better each day and not worry about a competition. I think for Paxton being around Case also -- I mean, Case has been through some ups and downs in his career, so he can learn from Case on how to handle those things.

"It takes time to be an NFL quarterback. You would hope with Case being here, he can sit back and relax and get better as a quarterback and not worry about being the guy right now and just compete to be our backup."

Keenum posted career highs in completions (325), attempts (481), completion percentage (67.6), passing yards (3,547) and touchdowns (22) in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings.

The 30-year-old Keenum started 14 regular-season contests and both postseason games last season while leading the Vikings within one win of the Super Bowl. The former journeyman made $2 million on a one-year deal in 2017.

By comparison, Lynch has posted a 1-3 mark in four career starts with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

The 6-foot-7, 244-pound Lynch has completed 79 of 128 passes for 792 yards in five career appearances.