CHICAGO — A quarterback competition will never work if the quarterbacks are buried in the grass. So the Broncos’ musical chairs rotation of offensive linemen Thursday proved quietly crucial.
In their first preseason game since winning the Super Bowl, the Broncos’ used five new blockers, and nine total linemen in the first half alone against the Bears at Soldier Field. And it worked. They went undefeated in keeping quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian upright.
The Bears, woeful they may be, never sacked and rarely threatened Sanchez or Siemian. Chicago’s best chance came on Denver’s first play from scrimmage, when Sanchez rolled left, then scrambled toward the side and ditched the ball out of bounds with his left hand.