The Denver Broncos had one of the most even quarterback competitions in the NFL this year between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock.
There was plenty of intrigue as well.
Lock made 13 starts in 2020 after showing a brief flash of success in 2019.
He was the incumbent, but the Broncos going out and trading for Bridgewater proved Lock’s job was not safe.
Wednesday brought news that the veteran Bridgewater has won the job.
Coach Fangio informed our team this morning that Teddy Bridgewater will be the Broncos’ starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/ZU0hNCi0kg
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 25, 2021
Wherever he goes, teams seem to fall in love with him.
Bridgewater A Starter Again
Bridgewater is a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings who at one point was seen as the quarterback of the future following a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015.
Then came his catastrophic knee injury that held him out the entire 2016 season.
He made a brief appearance in 2017 before being traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2018.
Of course, Drew Brees was still the starter at the time.
Bridgewater’s shining moment came in 2019 when Brees was hurt.
The former Viking proceeded to go 5-0 as a starter before Brees returned.
That stint landed him a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, but obviously that did not last.
He was traded to Denver after a below-average 2020 season and is now getting a chance to prove he is a legitimate NFL starting quarterback.
Lock’s Future
And with that, the Drew Lock era comes to an end.
Before it ever began.
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) August 25, 2021
Broncos fans fell in love with Lock back in 2019 when he went 4-1 as a starter.
His record fell to 4-9 in 2020 as he led the league with 15 interceptions.
The Broncos have been trying to find a legitimate starter since Peyton Manning and clearly did not have faith in Lock to be that guy in 2021.
He was still taking part in the competition for the job, but trading for Bridgewater signaled a change was coming.
Lock is under contract through 2022 and represent a top-tier backup option in Denver.
So any sort of trade involving him would have to be beneficial for the Broncos, as opposed to just dumping him to clear a roster spot.
And if Bridgewater does struggle, expect to see Lock because head coach Vic Fangio could be on his way out with another losing season.
Having two quarterbacks capable of starting could lead to controversy, but does in fact increase the chances of success this year.
Bridgewater is the safe choice and the one that made the most sense.
If not for his knee injury, he would likely be on a major top-tier contract right now.
The Broncos clearly believe in him and it is his team in 2021.
NEXT: Denver Broncos Should Go With Drew Lock At This Point