Bronco fans will be pleased to learn that there is a new quarterback in town. Drew Lock is on the rise, and Teddy Bridgewater has been an unexpected addition to Denver’s roster. Training camp will determine the next Broncos quarterback. If you aren’t ready to jump, you can always look to one of the experienced quarterbacks from the past. They are ready to step in and lead the team to victory.
Drew Lock
Denver fans were disappointed by Drew Lock, the second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Lock has arm strength and mobility but hasn’t clicked at the NFL level. In three seasons, he has thrown for 4,740 yard, 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Although his offensive scheme will likely change under the new head coaches Mike Maccagnan, Pat Shurmur, he hasn’t performed well enough to be considered the starting quarterback.
One concern with Lock as a starting quarterback is his tendency not to fully set his feet and follow through with throws. Lock relies on his arm strength for tight-window throws. This requires the QB trust the process and then follow up with projection. This is problematic as it makes the receivers vulnerable. And despite Lock’s mediocre performance as a rookie, the Broncos were still competitive in the NFC West.
Von Miller was expected to lead the Broncos following the acquisition of Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason. However, he has struggled to find a rhythm at quarterback. Von Miller has only started two games this season, and has thrown 87 passes for an impressive 63.2% completion percentage. He’s also thrown two interceptions and has two TDs. This may be the most concerning development in Lock’s career so far.
If Lock starts the first three games of the season, it is not because of a plan to start him, but because of the lack of quality quarterbacks in the near future. Drew Lock will be developed by the Broncos until a viable quarterback plan can be presented. Starting Lock now shows self-awareness, but it also shows that they are looking beyond the current season to the future. It’s better to wait until 2022 to make the right quarterback selection for the long-term.
Fortunately, Lock’s growth has not yet been complete, but his optimistic mindset and short-term memory are important for quarterbacks. Vic Fangio’s optimism regarding Lock’s future is well-deserved, as the team has averaged 19.4 points per games this season. However, Lock needs to learn from the mistakes he made last season to avoid a repeat of that. He will make rookie mistakes again if he doesn’t learn from them.
A second-round draft pick, Drew Lock has accumulated 4,740 yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and a 73.3 passer rating in three seasons in the NFL. He is expected to join Seattle Seahawks and is currently dating Natalie Newman. While his future looks bright, the rumors of his departure make the hype even greater. Expect to hear from the Denver Broncos when he does.
With a potential to grow into a franchise quarterback, Drew Lock has many positive attributes. Although his athletic abilities are still in their infancy, his ability to throw and escape his opponent will be a huge asset for the Broncos. He is a Denver starter with an unbeaten record. However, Lock might not be able to develop into a franchise quarterback. If he does not grow into a good starter, his chances of success will be low.
Despite the lack of success for the 2021 Denver Broncos, there is still hope. The team was swept by Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, (28-24). Denver now has six consecutive losing seasons and is out of the playoffs for six years. It won’t be easy to beat Lock if they win Super Bowl 50. The Broncos blew a late lead and missed a prime opportunity against the Chiefs. With less than eight minutes left, they had an eight point lead. However, a tight final two minutes could have made the difference between them and the Chiefs.
Teddy Bridgewater
Many people ask the first question they have when they hear “Teddy Bridgewater.” Thankfully, the veteran quarterback is not out for the season after suffering a freak injury during Week 15 of the season. Bridgewater spent the night at the hospital and was then placed in the league’s concussion protocol. He did not return to the field after that, but the team put him on injured reserve this week. He still plans to play football, which is the good news.
After the incident, Teddy Bridgewater went to the locker room and consulted with team trainers. They were able to stabilize his neck and remove his face-mask. He was replaced by Drew Lock, who promptly connected with Tim Patrick for a touchdown. The Broncos took a 10-9 lead over the Bengals on that drive. In the meantime, Bridgewater will miss a game against the Raiders on Sunday.
He spent his college years at Louisville, where he won two bowl games and was named Big East Rookie Of The Year. After graduating, he signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers worth $63 million. He started 15 games in 2021 with the Panthers and was named their starting quarterback. The team then traded Bridgewater to the Broncos for a 2021 sixth-round pick.
The Broncos haven’t yet decided who will be their backup to Wilson. The team recently tendered exclusive-rights free agent Brett Rypien, a fourth-year pro. However, he won’t likely be the starter in 2022, despite his impressive performance during the preseason. The question is: How much money will they spend to keep Teddy Bridgewater in the game?