Coming into training camp, it appeared Mark Sanchez was a lock to win the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job. He was competing against rookie Paxton Lynch and the team's 2015 seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian.
But after Saturday's less-than-stellar performance against the 49ers, Sanchez admitted that he "squandered an opportunity" in the starting quarterback battle.
"I feel like I squandered an opportunity to separate myself," Sanchez told reporters, via NFL.com. "Poor quarterback play."
Sanchez started the game strong, completing nine of his first 10 attempts. But two fumbles and hitting just one of his final six throws might have overshadowed any positives. Add to the fact that Lynch threw the Broncos only two passing touchdowns and Sanchez might be seeing the grip he once had on the starting job slipping.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.