For the first time since Peyton Manning retired, the Denver Broncos have a legitimate quarterback competition brewing at Dove Valley.
Drew Lock is the incumbent starter, playing only part of the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the orange and blue due to injuries. Teddy Bridgewater is the journeyman and more experienced QB, starting for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 after filling in for Drew Brees in New Orleans in 2019.
And Monday was the first time the two quarterbacks met each other in person. With that fresh start comes compliments as the two are eager to work with each other, knowing only one of them will become the starter.
“Drew is a great guy, man,” Bridgewater said of Lock. “He walks into the room and he’s experienced. That’s the type of guy you want to be around. Our personalities will mesh well.”
And Lock explained, “Teddy’s been great…I feel like we’re going to be able to talk easily out there. It comes from seeing Drew [Brees] play. He’s seen a lot of great quarterbacks and he’s played a lot of ball. He has a lot of experience. I feel like we can both bounce things off of each other now where I don’t feel necessarily that I’m the young one.”
On one hand, Lock has the upper hand. He’s been in town for two years and working with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur since last year. Plus, he knows his teammates better than Bridgewater, who will have to build chemistry with them quickly as the season kicks off in about three months.
But, don’t forget Bridgewater worked with Shurmur, too.
“It’s helped a lot,” Bridgewater said of playing under Shurmur in Minnesota. “There is some carryover from my days in Minnesota, but at the same time, a lot has changed.”
So, where does the new QB start? Well, he was welcomed into the building by clear team leader and superstar Von Miller on Monday, who told him he should be ready to play this year.
“What’s so ironic—I saw Von this morning when he came in the building,” Bridgewater explained. “The first thing he said today was, ‘You’re here to play football now.’ That’s my mindset now. I’m here to play football and whatever happens, happens. I’m here to help this team become a better team. I’m here to help players become better football players and men become better men.”
That last bit is the best thing Bridgewater said all press conference; he not only wants them to improve as football players, but as men, too.
As for Lock, he’s prepared him self thoroughly all offseason long, ignoring the possible trade rumors and the team looking to bring in other quarterbacks.
“I’m excited to be able to go out there and have this competition, push myself to whole different level that maybe I wouldn’t have gotten to without this,” Lock explained. “As far as working with Peyton [Manning], I think him being able to give me his time was worth a lot to my game. It was worth more than I think I’ll ever realize. I’m forever grateful for to be able to do that for me and taking the time out of his day to do that.”
For anyone watching Lock’s play the last few years, they know he’s shown flashes of brilliance and even complete games of dominance. But, there’s also no doubt he must work on the small things, which is why Broncos fans should be thankful he had the chance to work with Manning this offseason.
And specifically about trade rumors and other critical things said of him, Lock explained, “Maybe I’ll go back one day, read and laugh about things that were being said by people who ended up being completely wrong.”
Of course, quarterback being the most important position in all of football and American sports in general, means being a leader. But, head coach Vic Fangio said while the foundation can be laid for leadership now, it will really come when the guys push their team to wins.
“Until you go out and actually help your team win, I think it’s had to max out your leadership,” Fangio said. “But you definitely can start it now, even in these types of settings.”
Don’t think this competition will be wrapped up by either quarterback quickly, either. Fangio said he expects it to go into the preseason and offensive tackle Garett Bolles said he’s had to block for two QBs before and will be able to again if need be.
For the next three months, it’s game on for Bridgewater and Lock. But on Day One, things were cordial in Colorado as the two look to take command of the competition in the long term.
