The 2021-2022 NFL season is near and so is the decision on who should be the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
As many fans await the decision on rather Aaron Rodgers becomes a member of the Denver Broncos or not, right now the quarterback race is simple. It’s between 24-year-old Drew Lock and off-season acquisition, 28-year-old Teddy Bridgewater. The Broncos also have Brett Rypien who is entering his third season and is expected to hold down the quarterback three spot. Many speculate that Lock will be the starter, however, the numbers may suggest differently.
Bridgewater is the quarterback that comes in with the most experience starting 49 games out of the 59 games he’s appeared in compared to Lock’s 18 games played, in which he started all of them. Bridgewater has the edge in playoff experience, starting in one playoff game in 2015 where he threw for 146 yards but failed to throw a touchdown, despite a 70% completion day and no interceptions.
Both quarterbacks have been hindered with injuries so far in their career, however, those injuries should have no impact moving into this season as they both had some good games throwing and running last season despite an overall forgettable year for them both.
They both had good moments last season, but the edge belongs to Lock who showed flashes of what Broncos Country hoped for when he was drafted. Lock’s best game came against Bridgewater and the Panthers where he outplayed the starting quarterback, completing 21 of 27 passes for 280 yards, 4 touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
In that same game, Bridgewater had a game of his own completing 30 for 40 passes, 283 passing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, and zero interceptions. In that game Lock was the better passing quarterback and offered hope for what the future could be.
Both quarterbacks failed to get a winning record last season with Bridgewater finishing 4-11 and Lock ending with a 4-9 record. Despite playing 2 fewer games, Lock threw for 1 more passing touchdown with 16 on the season versus Bridgewater’s 15, however, Lock also threw more interceptions on the season with 15 versus Bridgewater’s 11. Bridgewater did have a higher completion rate with 69.1% and QBR at 64.2 versus Lock’s 57.3% completion rate and 48.8 QBR.
According to Vic Fangio it’s going to be 50/50 for the reps between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Not necessary 50/50 each day, but to have it be close to that overall. He joked he may flip a coin on who gets the first snap of the offseason.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) May 14, 2021
The numbers are just one piece of the puzzle that the Broncos are putting together for the quarterback picture. Lock, who is the younger one and has the most familiarity with Pat Shurmur’s system, has that as an edge heading into the competition.
Lock also has questions regarding his play that could only be answered if he plays, while Bridgewater’s test has been complete for some time now. I expect both quarterbacks to succeed this season no matter who starts, however, if I had to put odds on who will be starting game one, I would put it on Lock.
Be sure to check back with Predominantly Orange as we will keep you updated on the QB completion and all things Denver Broncos.