What happens to Drew Lock now that Teddy Bridgewater is Broncos QB1?

Teddy Bridgewater will enter the season as the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback, so what does that mean for Drew Lock?

A day after head coach Vic Fangio cited having two quarterbacks he felt like he could win with, the Denver Broncos have named a starting quarterback going into the 2021 season. Per the team’s release, Teddy Bridgewater has been named the starter over Drew Lock.

In an equal competition for the starting job, Bridgewater and Lock both performed well during the Broncos’ first two preseason games. A loaded group of pass catchers, a deep group of running backs and a solid offensive line provides a great situation for whoever won the job-and that’s now Bridgewater.

George Paton coming in as the new Broncos’ GM put Lock on notice, and the acquisition of Bridgewater created viable competition for the erratic young signal caller. Paton is also plenty familiar with Bridgewater from his time in the Minnesota Vikings’ front office. The Vikings of course took Bridgewater in the first round of the 2014 draft.

What does Teddy Bridgewater being named the starter mean for Drew Lock?

Since a career-altering leg injury late in the 2016 preseason with the Vikings, Bridgewater saw most significant action as the Carolina Panthers’ starter last year. For those who are realistic about his physical ability, the middling results were expected (3,733 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 11 interceptions in 15 games). But he is a steady, even-keel presence and he takes care of the ball (almost to a fault).

Lock, on the other hand, brings to mind Jay Cutler. There’s no denying the physical tools and big arm, but he’s a career 59.1 percent passer and can throw interceptions in bunches. With John Elway’s role in the front office changing, the influence of Lock’s staunchest advocate in the Broncos’ organization changed. So in some sense, the naming or Bridgewater as the starter isn’t surprising.

At least for now, the Broncos have chosen the lower ceiling and higher floor Bridgewater offers. But the door is absolutely not shut for Lock to play at some point in the season. The Broncos will surely keep him around as the backup, in case of injury or Bridgewater again showing how mediocre he is, rather than trade him. But if a very good offer came, from a team that suddenly has a desperate need, Lock could be on the move.