Fansided

With small gesture, Broncos showing they believe in Drew Lock

By Russell S. Baxter

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /
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The team traded for veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. But the Denver Broncos may still have some faith in a 2019 second-round pick.

It actually adds up to a total of 11 characters. But quarterback has become a four-letter word in the Mile High City in recent seasons.

Even during the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 championship campaign, a wilting Peyton Manning and young Brock Osweiler had their ups and downs. The 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium featured an offense that gained a mere 194 total yards.

Quarterback issues in the Mile High City, but is Drew Lock the starter?

There have been a slew of different starters for the team since 2016. A 9-7 finish that year (after a 0-4 start) has been followed by four consecutive losing seasons. This past year, Vic Fangio’s team managed only five victories and tumbled to last place in the AFC West. The Broncos totaled an NFL-high 32 turnovers and their quarterbacks combined to throw a league-high 23 interceptions.

Of course, more than half (18) of those 32 miscues came via young signal-caller Drew Lock. The 42nd overall pick from the University of Missouri spent most of his rookie year on the sidelines after suffering a sprained thumb during the 2019 preseason (via

Ryan O’Halloran

of the

Denver Post

). He would start Denver’s final five games that year, threw for seven scores and only three interceptions and the Broncos won four of those games.

Hence there was a lot of hope entering 2020. But he connected on only 57.3 percent of his throws in 13 outings and managed only 16 TD tosses compared to 15 interceptions. This offseason, the Broncos dealt for veteran Teddy Bridgewater and appeared to be interested in a certain 2020 NFL MVP.

As for Lock, he appeared to get somewhat of a vote of confidence this week.

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There’s a long way between now and when Fangio’s team opens the 2021 season vs. the Giants. The Broncos feature a talented roster and appear to be effective quarterback play away from contending for a playoff spot. Can young Lock bounce back from a disastrous 2020 showing?

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