Denver Broncos: Was there ever really a quarterback competition?

The Denver Broncos are going with Teddy Bridgewater to be the team’s starting quarterback.

This is sure to draw up plenty of conversation within the fanbase as there will be many who feel this was the right decision but likely just as many who feel it’s not. That was always going to be the case.

Those in favor of Teddy Bridgewater as the starter see a more experienced option who can be a leader on the field around a group of younger offensive players. However, there are plenty of reasons as to why Drew Lock should have been the choice as well.

At this point, it is fair to ask if this was ever really a competition in the mind of head coach Vic Fangio.

Fangio is just going on a feeling here and it feels a lot like he sees Bridgewater as the safer option in a season in which he knows he is likely coaching for his job. If the Broncos miss the playoffs, there is almost no reason to keep Fangio at the helm any longer.

Bridgewater might be a guy who can get the team to the playoffs. But he is not a long-term answer for this team and that is what the Broncos should be searching for.

So, what was this competition based on? Because it certainly wasn’t what we have seen in two preseason games.

Both quarterbacks played well in the preseason, there is no doubt about that. Lock looked terrific against the Minnesota Vikings and you can say that it came against backups, but those guys are still professional football players and Lock literally made no errors.

By that same token, the work that Bridgewater showed also came against backups as both the Vikings and Seattle Seahawks did not play any starters. Perhaps Bridgewater showed the staff more in the team’s practices, but he did not outplay Lock in the preseason.

Furthermore, the coaching staff wanted to see Lock get better following last season, right? He clearly has gotten better and he was showing that on the field. He looked more poised, confident and he can definitely make throws that Bridgewater can’t even think of making.

Bridgewater is the safe option. He brings experience. He will manage the game. But Lock gives the offense a chance to be much more explosive. His ability to make something out of nothing should not be overlooked and at this particular point, based on what we have seen, it makes no sense to stunt his growth right now.

It kind of makes you feel like Fangio’s mind was made up a long time ago. Perhaps the moment Bridgewater was acquired.