The quarterback trade rumor mill has been going off the hook so far in the 2021 NFL offseason and the Denver Broncos have obviously been part of the discussion.
Not only have the Broncos been involved in trade talks for veteran quarterbacks (like Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson) but they have also apparently been receiving calls on their own starting quarterback, Drew Lock.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, teams have been calling the Broncos and asking about the third-year player but the Broncos have not been willing to part with him at this point.
What's going on with the #Broncos & @VonMiller?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 25, 2021
"I don't think they're going to pick up the option..
I think there's a real chance the 2 sides get together & make it make sense. He wants to finish his career in Denver" ~ @RapSheet #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/1rw0ZBrOTQ
Here’s Rap Sheet’s full quote after being asked if the Broncos want to move on from Drew Lock.
"No. And they’ve had opportunities to because teams — as all the calls have happened (Goff and Stafford) — teams have called about Drew Lock because the potential is there. The Broncos haven’t come close to trading him and I honestly doubt that they will. Because — Here’s the problem. Let’s say the Broncos trade Drew Lock and then what he did the last, like, four games of the season…let’s say that’s what he does for 16 games. Well, then it’s like, why did you trade that guy?Ian Rapoport on The Pat McAfee Show"
As other Broncos insiders like Benjamin Allbright and Mike Klis have been saying all offseason so far, the smart money is on the team continuing with Drew Lock as the starting quarterback going into 2021 with some better competition behind him than just Jeff Driskel.
Lock certainly has taken some lumps in two NFL seasons, but he’s really only played 17 games at this point and a couple of drives in an 18th game. He has shown tremendous potential in those games while at the same time proving that he is a bit more project than instant NFL star.
With that said, the Broncos have won some big head-to-head matchups since Lock has become the team’s starting quarterback including games against the Deshaun Watson-led Houston Texans and Justin Herbert-led Los Angeles Chargers.
Has Lock been flawless? Not by any stretch. Has he shown franchise QB potential? Absolutely. The Broncos don’t want to be the team that let a good one get away because Lock has a good head on his shoulders, he’s got great football character, and he’s undoubtedly got upside.
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Going into a second year in Pat Shurmur’s offense, the potential is there for Lock to make great strides. If Denver is not able to make a blockbuster trade for someone like Deshaun Watson, then the plan is going to be Drew Lock and a veteran backup who could start if things go South in a hurry.