Trevor Siemian to be named Broncos starting quarterback

— -- The Denver Broncos are expected to name Trevor Siemian as their starting quarterback Monday, team sources told ESPN, confirming multiple reports.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph is expected to announce his decision during a news conference Monday at 3:15 p.m. ET.

The Broncos' quarterback choice was first reported by 104.3 The Fan in Denver.

For the second summer in a row, Siemian has turned away challengers to be the Broncos' starting quarterback. Last year, it was Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch. This year, Siemian and Lynch were in what both Joseph and general manager John Elway repeatedly called an "open competition" almost from the time Joseph was hired in January.

Joseph split work between the starters in the offseason program, organized team activities, minicamp and training camp. Siemian and Lynch have each started one preseason game.

Siemian likely closed the deal Saturday night when he came in against the San Francisco 49ers with just over three minutes remaining in the first half and led the Broncos on a seven-play, 53-yard touchdown drive.

In three possessions, Siemian led the Broncos to 10 points, and on his touchdown pass -- a 19-yarder to Jordan Taylor?-- Siemian bounced back from having a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty on the previous play.

For his part, Siemian was asked after Saturday's game if he had done enough to win the job.

"I think so," Siemian said. "I'm not the coach, but I think so."

In what turned out to be the last chance for both quarterbacks to make their case on the field, Lynch finished 9-of-13 for 39 yards in almost a full half of work and was behind center for three short scoring drives that each began in San Francisco territory following a 49ers turnover. Lynch also had 27 yards rushing.

Siemian was 8-of-11 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

"I saw Paxton make some plays with his legs, which he should," Joseph said after the game. "He's an athlete. And Trevor, he was solid. He was Trevor. He made good decisions, his ball placement was on point tonight, he controlled the huddle. So I was pleased with Trevor."

In two preseason games, Siemian is 14-of-18 for 144 yards and the touchdown pass for a 118.5 passer rating. Lynch is 15-of-22 for 81 yards with zero touchdowns and a passer rating of 74.2.

Joseph said Saturday that he wanted to review the game video to see whether he was ready to make a decision. He had repeatedly said the decision would come as soon as he saw "separation."

Siemian showed a greater comfort level in the Broncos' new offense throughout the offseason. After a slow start in the first few days of training camp, he consistently moved the team in practice and showed "the timing and ball placement" Joseph has said would be important factors in the decision.

The Broncos' decision in 2017 came slightly sooner as compared to when former coach Gary Kubiak awarded Siemian the job last summer. Kubiak formally named Siemian the starter the Monday after the team's third preseason game, when Siemian finished 10-of-17 for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.

Siemian, who played most of last season with a left (nonthrowing) shoulder injury that required surgery, finished 8-6 as a starter in 2016. He threw for 3,401 yards to go with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

He had 312 passing yards and four touchdowns in a Week 3 win at Cincinnati and a 368-yard day with three touchdowns against the Chiefs in a game the Broncos lost in overtime. Siemian also threw for 334 yards against the Tennessee Titans.

Siemian, a seventh-round pick by the Broncos in 2015, has routinely said spending his rookie year with Peyton Manning and his work as the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback during that season's Super Bowl run was something that has helped over the past two quarterback competitions.

Lynch was a first-round pick in 2016. The Broncos saw improvement from him in the new offense, but consistency and the ability to rebound quickly from mistakes are things he will have to address.