I'd put this as plausible.  1) I think Elway sees what is going on with the QB situation.  He, and many of the Broncos, are GREAT at straight up lying to the press.  Those quotes are meaningless.  Second, where was Vance Joseph when AJ was drafted and started playing for Cinci?  Oh yeah, he was at Cinci as well.   So, you know, Joseph might know a thing or two about McCarron.