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Englewood, Colo. • The first real day of the Broncos' quarterback competition looked a lot like last year's no-contest audition when ex-third-stringer Trevor Siemian beat rookie Paxton Lynch and veteran Mark Sanchez.

On Tuesday, Siemian was poised, patient and precise while facing Denver's "No Fly Zone" secondary and pass rushers for the first time this offseason.

Lynch was erratic, threw into coverage early on and watched linebacker Brandon Marshall intercept him.

Although things settled down after that, the first day of OTAs proved one thing: if Lynch is going to win this job, the 2016 first-round pick has a long way to go to unseat Siemian, the 2015 seventh-rounder who was an afterthought until emerging as Peyton Manning's surprise successor last season.

First-year head coach Vance Joseph, whose declaration of a "50-50" open quarterback competition in Denver this summer makes for the biggest position battle in the NFL this offseason, wasn't rushing to judgment after Day 1.

"It was OK," Joseph said. "It was the first day, obviously, but they both threw the ball well. They both commanded the huddle really well today. So, it was a good day."

Siemian worked with the starters and Lynch the second-stringers. They'll flip-flop Wednesday.

"It's going to be day by day," Joseph said. "Today it was Trevor's turn to be with the first unit; tomorrow it will be Paxton's. So, it'll be day by day. There's 10 OTAs. So, it'll be five and five. Very even."

The Broncos are giving Lynch every chance to win the job after GM John Elway moved up to select him with the 26th overall pick last year.

Lynch never really challenged Siemian last summer when the 250th overall pick in the 2015 draft parlayed his yearlong apprenticeship under Manning and Brock Osweiler into the starting job. He went 8-6 but was beset by injuries and Lynch started two games in his place, beating Tampa Bay but losing to Atlanta.

Lynch said he won't get caught up in who he's throwing to or against during the OTAs and next month's minicamp.

"I think every rep is important whether you're with the 1s or you're with the 2s," he said.

The Broncos' top draft pick, left tackle Garett Bolles of Utah, started out with the second-string O-line behind veteran Donald Stephenson.

"He's a rookie," Joseph said. "He has to earn his way."

Joseph added that Ty Sambrailo, who's finally healthy and able to focus on strengthening his upper body, is also in the mix to serve as the blindside protector to either Siemian or Lynch.