It’s been a rough decade for the Denver Broncos, but Trevor Siemian holds an unexpected title: the last QB to lead the team to a winning record. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, that was back in 2016, and Siemian’s journey since has been as winding as it gets. On October 9, his latest stop landed him on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad, a team desperate for quarterback depth after dealing away Malik Willis.
Since starting for the Broncos in 2016 and 2017, Siemian has bounced between seven different teams, including two separate stints with the Jets and now the Titans. He even has a bit of history with Titans head coach Brian Callahan, who was an offensive assistant with Denver during Siemian’s rookie season. While Titans coach Callahan initially preferred a younger quarterback for developmental reasons, he noted, “This is a different situation,” highlighting the need for a steady veteran presence should the Titans find themselves in a pinch.
The Titans’ season has been off to a rocky start, with a 1-3 record heading into their Week 6 face-off against the Colts. Meanwhile, the Broncos are finally feeling a glimmer of hope with rookie quarterback Bo Nix — their first rookie starter since John Elway, who ironically shaped Denver’s quarterback woes during his tenure as GM. From drafting Siemian in the seventh round of the 2015 draft to cycling through six different quarterbacks without lasting success, Elway’s tenure saw Denver struggling to find their next franchise quarterback.
Siemian’s career hasn’t had the star power of his predecessors, but his path is a testament to survival in the NFL. Though far removed from the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl roster, he still holds a connection to that last winning season. Now, he’s just a backup option for Tennessee, yet his name remains a symbol of Denver’s long struggle to find stability at quarterback.
