The NFL season is finally back, and with preseason games set to begin today, it's time to take a look around the division and observe what's going on in the AFC West.
Between the quarterback battle in Denver, and the drama in Southern California, there's a lot to highlight in this week's AFC West Update.
Denver Broncos
The primary question surrounding the Denver Broncos since their Super Bowl victory, is who will serve as the team's starting quarterback. The team added quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch, to go along with Trevor Siemian who was on the team in 2015. After the loss of Peyton Manning [retired] and Brock Osweiler [Houston Texans], there hasn't been a clear indication of who will lead the way going forward.
Andrew Mason, of DenverBroncos.com, believes that the position still remains up for grabs. On the depth chart, Sanchez and Siemian are slated as "co-No. 1 quarterbacks," according to Mason, with Lynch sitting as the team's third option.
The Broncos will square off against the Chicago Bears this evening and it appears as though they will roll with Sanchez to start the game. The former USC Trojan will get things started by playing the first quarter, followed by Siemian.
Lynch will be interesting to watch considering this will be the rookie's first NFL game under the big lights. According to Mason, the team is giving him the entire second half to operate under center and get a feel for the professional level.
The Broncos should use the preseason to determine of who will be the team's starting quarterback, their first preseason game at Soldier Field can be viewed tonight at 5 p.m. Pacific time.
Kansas City Chiefs
During the offseason, the Oakland Raiders and Chiefs essentially swapped players with the Raiders locking up cornerback Sean Smith and former Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater signing with the Chiefs.
Recently, Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson acquired a mild injury that required him to sit out of practice a couple days. This left Rod Streater with a chance to step in and show what he's capable of.
During his four years with the Silver and Black, Streater struggled to fight off injuries, but in 2013 made an impact by hauling in 60 receptions, and tallying 888 yards to go along with four touchdowns. According to Pete Sweeney of Chiefs.com, Streater has impressed while filling in for the injured Wilson, and is fitting in quite nicely.
Streater will return to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to face his former team on Oct. 16, in what should be an interesting overall.
The Chiefs are scheduled to begin their preseason Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks, but appear to be putting in ample amounts of work to prepare for the game.
San Diego Chargers
The Joey Bosa drama continues.
After drafting the Ohio State defensive end third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chargers have been unable to come to a contract agreement with Bosa's camp. Both parties are unable to see eye-to-eye and is causing a strained relationship between them.
The standoff between the Chargers and Bosa has gone on for 13 days now, far longer than it probably should have. The drama has been intensified with recent remarks from Bosa's mother claiming, "wish we would've pulled an Eli Manning on draft day," according Michael Gehlken of The San Diego Union Tribune.
The biggest question that arises is, will Joey Bosa suit up for the Bolts at all this year? At this point it seems difficult to make a decision, but Bosa has stated he has no interest in being traded. The 21-year-old seems keen on staying in San Diego, but time will tell as this story continues to unfold.
In other news, wide receiver Stevie Johnson will miss the entire 2016 campaign with a meniscus tear. The veteran wide receiver had 497 yards to go along with three touchdowns last season.
The Chargers will take the field for their first preseason game on Saturday 5 p.m. Pacific time in Tennessee against the Titans, and Bosa most likely won't be in action.
