Denver Broncos: Drew Lock has new life, even more pressure
The Denver Broncos won’t have Aaron Rodgers under center in 2021. Drew Lock has new life and even more pressure on him in 2021.
As the 2021 NFL offseason has progressed, it seems like more and more opportunities for the Denver Broncos to move on from Drew Lock have been popping up. Some of those opportunities would have come in the form of blockbuster trades, some in the form of average free agency acquisitions. Other opportunities presented themselves in the 2021 NFL Draft.
New general manager George Paton has been aggressive but not reckless — just as he said he would be — in the way he has built upon the roster John Elway already had in place when he arrived in January.
Paton sniffed around the Matthew Stafford trade market before the Broncos passed and the Lions sent Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams.
Paton hit the road for some prominent prospect pro days at the quarterback position. Namely, he was at the pro days of Zach Wilson (2nd pick, Jets), Trey Lance (3rd pick, 49ers), and Justin Fields (11th pick, Bears). He also sent additional staff and personnel to the pro days of both Lance and Fields.
Perhaps the Broncos would have taken Lance for the right price, but they were staring Fields right in the face with the 9th overall pick, and they passed (along with a variety of other teams).
It doesn’t sound like the Denver Broncos are going to be in on Deshaun Watson with his off-field issues lingering.
Now, the three-month saga with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers has come to a close. Rodgers watch will have to wait until the 2022 offseason again.
The Denver Broncos passed on all available free agents at the quarterback position. They passed on the 2021 NFL Draft class.
The only move the team has made to this point is a modest move for Teddy Bridgewater, who will be competing in camp and preseason for Drew Lock’s starting job.
When George Paton was hired, he vowed to improve the quarterback position. Trading for Teddy Bridgwater and cutting Jeff Driskel accomplishes that, regardless of anyone’s thoughts on Drew Lock.
The floor at the position is higher, but the question has always been — do the Denver Broncos actually believe in Drew Lock’s ceiling still?
The proof is in the pudding, there.
The fact that the Broncos passed on all available quarterbacks in free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft is as strong of an indicator as any that the team believes Drew Lock can still improve. The uncertainty with any future options — draft, trade, or otherwise — also speaks volumes about what the team thinks of Lock.
The fact that Paton didn’t make new Lions GM Brad Holmes an offer he couldn’t refuse for Matthew Stafford? That also speaks volumes about Lock.
Ultimately, if George Paton agreed with the many loud voices in Broncos Country that feel Drew Lock is a lost cause at the age of 24, don’t you think we’d have some evidence of that by now?
The Denver Broncos would of course want Aaron Rodgers — the reigning league MVP — on their team if that opportunity presented itself. Paton also wasn’t beating down Packers GM Brian Gutekunst’s door, either…
Per sources, Broncos had monitored Rodgers drama this offseason but never engaged in talks w/Packers, who consistently sent message they wouldn’t trade MVP.
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 26, 2021
All systems go at UCHealth Center for Lock or Bridgewater in 2021.
As for Rodgers, wait til next year. (Or not). #9sports https://t.co/S3OyIy7Cvx
Building off of what Elway had started, Paton has assembled a very good defense in Denver on paper. With Vic Fangio as the head coach, this caliber of defense will be in just about every game, you’d think.
The offense has to take a step forward no matter who is playing quarterback, and all of the opportunities to upgrade specifically over Drew Lock this offseason that the Denver Broncos passed on?
Well, those decisions by the Denver Broncos have breathed new life into Lock’s future prospects with the team, but they have also added a ton of pressure to him for 2021.
What has also added a ton of pressure to Lock? It’s been reported throughout the 2021 offseason that Denver is a preferred destination for Aaron Rodgers, and he might have the opportunity to go there once again in 2022.
If Packers’ officials sign off on their willingness to trade Aaron Rodgers, and the agreement is finalized soon, here’s the biggest concession the reigning MVP will receive: the freedom to decide where he wants to play in 2022.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2021
The Denver Broncos may be able to go out and get Aaron Rodgers in the 2022 offseason. Though no one is banking on that at this point in time, the pressure is on Lock now to step up in a huge way.
He’s not only got to start by taking it one day at a time and winning the job in training camp, but he then has to play well enough for the Denver Broncos to once again pass on the alternatives in 2022. With Rodgers potentially available in a trade, he’s going to have to play really well for that to happen.