Rex Grossman will start the season opener against the New York Giants,coach Mike Shanahan confirmed Monday afternoon. Shanahan told Grossman and John Beck about his decision Saturday.
“Rex won by an edge,” Shanahan said.
NFL.com first reported the story early Monday afternoon. Neither quarterback was made available.
The NFL.com report said the quarterbacks were told over the weekend, giving both quarterbacks a chance to digest the news for a couple days before facing the media.
Grossman looked more fluid than John Beck this summer. In three preseason games Grossman completed 34 of 53 passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He posted a passer rating of 92.3. Beck, meanwhile, started strong with 14 completions in 17 attempts vs. Indianapolis. He finished the preseason with 30 completions in 48 attempts for 356 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Beck had a passer rating of 74.7.
Grossman started the final three games of 2010, but entering camp several league sources predicted it would be Beck. Their rationale? Shanahan was telling people he thought Beck had more potential. Several players, though, were confident that Shanahan would base his decision on their preseason performance.
“When you pick a guy out you not say hey you think that guy’s gonna fail,” Shanahan said. “Obviously youre hoping he’ll be very successful.”
