Drew Lock has ample pressure in big year for Broncos

The Denver Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50. They are entering 2020 with the defending-champion Kanas City Chiefs in their division.

Yet, somehow, there are major expectations for Denver as we approach training camp. Largely because of Drew Lock.

The second-year quarterback only started five games at the end of last season but won four, giving rise to the belief he’s the next franchise quarterback. Lock was taken in the second round of the 2019 Draft out of Missouri and after sitting behind Joe Flacco and Brandon Allen, got his shot.

In those five starts, Lock threw for 1,020 yards with seven touchdowns against three interceptions, while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt and completing 64.1 percent of his throws. Average numbers, but with obvious upside.

This offseason, general manager John Elway dedicated his time to getting Lock more weapons. The offense appears loaded at the skill positions with tight end Noah Fant, receivers Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, and running backs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay. Jeudy and Hamler were Denver’s top two picks in April, while Gordon came over on a two-year deal from the Los Angeles Chargers.

However, questions remain. Lock started less than a third of the campaign and outside of a quality showing against the Houston Texans, was largely middling. In Kansas City, the offense stalled out in the snow of Arrowhead Stadium, scoring only three points. Furthermore, the offensive line is a huge concern with Garett Bolles and Ju’Wuan James starting at the tackle spots.

If things don’t go as planned for the Broncos, the criticism may well fall on Lock, fair or not. After Elway spent lavishly in both financial and draft capital to provide support, the expectation is a quick ascension from the youngster.

With the NFL moving to a seven-team playoff format in each conference — and the AFC being significantly weaker than the NFC — there’s reason to believe the Broncos have a good chance at reaching the postseason, albeit as a wild card team. Anything less would have to be considered a failure.

In less than two weeks, Lock and Co. will take the field in Denver, preparing for their Week 1 showdown on Monday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans. For the first time in a few years, there’s reason for optimism in Broncos Country, but the potential pitfalls remain clear.