Throughout training camp, the competition between Denver Broncos quarterbacks Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater has been one of the NFL’s most compelling storylines.
Lock has been with the Broncos for two seasons, appearing in 18 total games.
He has thrown for 3,953 yards and a 23/18 TD/INT ratio as the Broncos have gone 8-10 in his tenure.
Bridgewater was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Broncos for a 2021 sixth-round pick.
He has been in the league since 2014 and has appeared in 59 games, starting 49 of them.
Last season with the Panthers, Bridgewater threw for 3,733 yards and a 15/11 TD/INT ratio in 15 starts.
Clearly, the Broncos knew they were in need of a quarterback as Denver finished 26th in passing last season.
So far, head coach Vic Fangio has yet to name a starting quarterback.
Whoever wins the role will be leading a team with playoff aspirations and a team with numerous talented young weapons such as Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, and Courtland Sutton.
Both had an opportunity to prove why they deserve to be the starter in the Broncos’ 33-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 of the preseason.
Drew Lock
Lock got the start for the Broncos against the Vikings.
He completed five-of-seven passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Lock’s biggest play came on an 80-yard pass to KJ Hamler.
Drew Lock is GUNNING for QB1 🚀pic.twitter.com/mV0BeHXXG8
— PFF (@PFF) August 14, 2021
He also found Trinity Benson for a four-yard score.
Lock finds Benson for his second touchdown of the day.#NFLTwitter #DENvsMIN
pic.twitter.com/3oIEneFqOX— SportsBetting.com (@WeSportsBetting) August 14, 2021
Lock’s biggest issue last season was decision-making and interceptions.
His 15 picks ranked tied for most in the NFL with Carson Wentz, despite only appearing in 13 games.
Against the Vikings, Lock had complete control of the offense.
He made strong decisions and consistently moved them down the field.
While the big play obviously inflated the numbers, Lock finished the day with 21.6 yards per passing attempt.
Lock has a strong arm and the ability to make plays for the Broncos if he can limit mistakes.
While it was just the preseason, Lock proved he could be a leader for the offense and proved he can utilize the Broncos’ strong group of weapons in both moving the chains and blowing the top off the defense.
Teddy Bridgewater
While Bridgewater played backup in Week 1, Coach Fangio said that he will start the team’s Week 2 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Against the Vikings, Bridgewater completed seven-of-eight passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.
His score was a four-yard pass to Benson on the first drive of the second half.
#Broncos WR Trinity Benson gets his second TD of the game. This one comes from Teddy Bridgewater.pic.twitter.com/HCDu8O01Bf
— NFL Unlimited (@NFLUnlimited) August 14, 2021
Bridgewater played a much different game than Lock, but still found success.
While he had a solid 9.6 yards per attempt, Bridgewater was more methodical in his approach.
Rather than looking for the big plays, he just looked to move the chains and move the Broncos down the field; which he exceeded in.
Lock got all the attention with his big throw, but Bridgewater played a solid game as well.
Albeit, against the Vikings’ second and third-stringers.
Bridgewater has a significant experience advantage on Lock, but the question is is will he make enough big plays to truly utilize the weapons the Broncos have accumulated?
Leader After One
According to Fangio, there is no leader.
Vic Fangio on Drew Lock and Teddy B after preseason win over Vikings: “I thought they both played very well. Kinda validated what I been saying all camp that they’re even-steven. … I don't think any separation happened today."
— Grant Gordon (@TCNGrantGordon) August 14, 2021
However, it’s hard to not be impressed with Lock’s effort.
Lock did a great job with his decision-making and did not risk turnovers in favor of a big play.
1). 3rd and 4.
2). Drew Lock goes through progressions.
3). Stands tall despite pressure.
4). Find the best player in Camp Jerry Jeudy.
A+ stuff. pic.twitter.com/6QKGWVD283
— ᴄᴀᴍᴇʀᴏɴ ᴘᴀʀᴋᴇʀ (@CameronParkerPO) August 14, 2021
While Bridgewater is a veteran, Lock has more experience working with the current Broncos receivers.
Bridgewater will be in the spotlight in Week 2 with him getting the starting nod.
He needs to prove that he can make a big play and help elevate the offense.
With guys like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and now Justin Herbert, their success relies on the fact that on any given play, they have the potential for a big gain.
Lock certainly isn’t in their league, but his Week 1 performance shows that perhaps he has the potential to be the Broncos’ big threat.
For Bridgewater, consistency will certainly be key.
But if he has another middle-of-the-road game while Lock shines, it would be hard to see Fangio give him the starting quarterback nod.
