Broncos take optimistic tone with Drew Lock
The Denver Broncos are giving quarterback Drew Lock a second full year of starting, but he’ll need to produce soon.
Drew Lock is only 24 years old, his whole NFL career seemingly ahead of him. And yet, in the ever-changing world of pro football, Lock could be staring his future squarely in the face come September.
The Denver Broncos quarterback was selected in the second round of the ’19 NFL Draft, and only started five games as a rookie. However, he went 4-1 while throwing seven touchdowns against three interceptions. Suddenly, many believed Denver had its future at the game’s most important position.
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Then 2020 happened. The Broncos went 6-10 and Lock, who started 13 games, threw for 2,933 yards with 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, the most in football.
With new general manager George Paton coming to the Mile High City this winter, there was some thought Lock would be looking for another team, or competing for his job. Instead, it appears Paton is going to give Lock 2021 to prove himself. On Thursday, he spoke to the media and said the following, per NFL.com:
“I haven’t seen Drew live on the field. I’ve just seen the tape. There is so much that goes into that when evaluating a quarterback. I like to see them live. You’d like to see them in critical situations. You like to see the accuracy. How is he with his teammates? What is the leadership like?
“Again, I can’t give you three things. There is so much involved in evaluating quarterbacks. I look forward to evaluating Drew further and in person. He does have all of the traits you look for in a quarterback.”
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For Lock, the talent is around him to be successful. The Broncos watched left tackle Garret Bolles have a miraculous turnaround in 2020, going from turnstile to talent. On the outside, Denver has second-year men K.J. Hamler and Jerry Jeudy along with third-year pro Courtland Sutton, who is coming off a torn ACL. Denver also has a quality youngster at tight end in Noah Fant, who provides a nice short-range security blanket.
If Lock is going to keep his job going into the final season of his rookie deal — and perhaps earn extension talks — he’ll need to improve in the red zone (increase the touchdowns) decrease the poor decision (cut down on interceptions) and earn the trust of Paton with a few more wins.
