Denver Broncos tab Teddy Bridgewater over Drew Lock as QB1

The Denver Broncos have decided on a quarterback, and it’s Teddy Bridgewater over Drew Lock for the top spot.

The Denver Broncos have not gotten successful play out of their quarterbacks since Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset. Now, they rely on Teddy Bridgewater, who was acquired in a trade this offseason, to help regain that prominence. On Wednesday, the team and head coach Vic Fangio announced that they would proceed forward with Bridgewater as their starting quarterback over Drew Lock.

It’s a bit of a surprising move, but at the same time, Bridgewater does have a résumé that warrants him being a starter in the NFL, though it puts Lock on the bench. Additionally, this move reiterates that draft position has no bearing on playing time. As many will recall, Lock was a second-round pick out of Missouri with expectations that he would someday be the next great Broncos quarterback, but to no avail.

Instead, it’s Bridgewater, a former first-round pick turned NFL journeyman who will be asked to take the reigns in the Mile High City in a division that features two of the game’s bright young stars in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert. Yes, also within the division lies another productive quarterback in Las Vegas’ Derek Carr.

The Denver Broncos had a decision to make at quarterback and opted to go with Teddy Bridgewater over Drew Lock.

One factor that may have led to this decision was the decision-making of Lock. Last season, Lock committed 18 turnovers, tied for second in the league behind Carson Wentz (19), 15 of which were through interceptions, tied for the most with Wentz, therefore putting more pressure on Fangio’s defense.

Limited turnovers by the offense can help a defense; ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2019, Jamies Winston committed 35 turnovers, highlighted by 30 interceptions. This past season en route to a Super Bowl, Tom Brady only committed 13 turnovers, a cutdown by nearly 63 percent, hence a fresher defense. Sustained quarterback play will often lead to success, provided everyone else does their part, and Denver has an opportunity to do just that.

The Denver Broncos have chosen to move forward with Teddy Bridgewater. At some point this season, they may turn back to Drew Lock. Time will tell, however, if that decision will be made this season and what will follow as a result.