ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Trevor Siemian is Peyton Manning's successor.
Coach Gary Kubiak told the team Monday that Siemian will be the starting quarterback when the Denver Broncos face Carolina in the season opener Sept. 8.
Kubiak informed Siemian, Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch of his decision before telling their teammates.
Siemian has just one NFL snap on his resume, a kneel-down when he was the No. 3 QB last year behind Manning and Brock Osweiler.
Manning retired and Osweiler left for Houston after the Super Bowl.
General manager John Elway acquired Sanchez from the Eagles and drafted Lynch. The Broncos will save $3.5 million and a conditional seventh-round draft pick if they cut Sanchez, as expected.
Browns release veteran linebacker Paul Kruger
CLEVELAND -- The Browns have released linebacker Paul Kruger, a startling move in another step in the team's youth movement.
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Kruger started 46 games and made 18 sacks in three seasons for Cleveland and was considered one of the team's leaders. He was signed in 2013 after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The 30-year-old recorded just 2.5 sacks last season as the Browns struggled to find the right role for him. Last week, the Browns traded linebacker Barkevious Mingo. Rookies Emmanuel Ogbah or Joe Schobert could take Kruger's starting spot.
Kruger posted a statement on Twitter in which he thanked the Browns but said his release was "absolutely the wrong decision."
The Browns also terminated the contracts of defensive end Nick Hayden and quarterback Austin Davis. The team waived kicker Travis Coons, giving Patrick Murray the starting job.
