Drew Lock cannot be the Denver Broncos starter in 2022
As a Drew Lock fan, I cannot begin to describe how disappointed I would be if he was the starter for the Denver Broncos to begin the 2022 season.
Multiple things can be true at once; Drew Lock has not been given the most ideal opportunity to thrive as a member of the Denver Broncos, but he has still given no indication we can be the long-term starter.
I love Drew Lock. Many who hate him within Broncos Country would call me a “Lock Stan.” Call me what you want; I’ve supported the guy ever since he got drafted. I rooted for him to play well because I am not a psychopath.
However, after three seasons in Denver, it’s clear that Drew Lock’s time has about expired.
I understand that offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is effectively useless as it relates to Lock’s development. I understand that his offense has done next to nothing in developing the player, but Lock has had a multitude of opportunities to prove to the team that he is worthy of being the long-term starter.
The reason I wanted to write this article is that I have seen chatter within Broncos Country that indicates that some would be OK with Lock being given another shot in 2022 to be the starter, so long as the new coaching staff was more competent.
The Broncos may very well fire Vic Fangio and hire an offensive-minded head coach, which would in theory benefit Drew Lock, but the Broncos are one of the few teams in the NFL with an abundance of talent on the offensive side of the ball.
We know how talented these players are, and a chunk of them are still on their rookie deals. Starting Drew Lock in 2022 puts a huge risk on the team’s success. If Lock ends up not playing well enough, the team has effectively wasted another season of the young core while they’re on their rookie deals.
I think if the Denver Broncos were in a position like the Detroit Lions are, where the team is severely lacking talent and are in a full rebuild, starting Lock makes a lot of sense.
Obviously, the Broncos do not need a full rebuild. Once again, the team is a quarterback away from being a legitimate contender.
Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson make the Broncos, at the very least, division favorites. The obvious difference between those two players and Drew Lock is that you know what you’ll get with both Rodgers and Wilson.
Would George Paton, and his new hire head coach, really hinge the beginning of their jobs on Drew Lock developing, when he clearly has not improved much at all since his rookie season? I don’t think so.
Furthermore, there are a plethora of better options for the Broncos to target at QB.
Not only could both Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson be on the trade block, but so could Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Matt Ryan, and Jimmy Garoppolo. Even free agents like Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston are better than Drew Lock.
It would be a massive disappointment if the team went in a favorable direction with Drew Lock.
I think he is perfect as a backup for the Denver Broncos, as he knows the team, the culture, surely has a decent relationship with the offense, and has a phenomenal attitude.
However, Drew Lock should not be the starter for the team in 2022 and beyond.