Drew Lock’s reaction to losing starting QB job revealed
Lock was ousted as the starter by former Pro Bowl quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in what must have been a crushing blow to the third-year Missourian.
Drew Lock has been a polarizing figure since his rise to the starting quarterback position for the Denver Broncos.
Lock was ousted as the starter by former Pro Bowl quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in what must have been a crushing blow to the third-year Missourian.
Though Lock has handled the decision of head coach Vic Fangio and general manager George Paton with maturity, if teammate Albert Okwuegbunam is to be believed.
Okwuegbunam - pronounced owe-kwoo-ay-boo-nom - and Lock were also teammates in college, playing for the University of Missouri. Albert O, as he's affectionately know, led the SEC in receiving touchdowns back in 2017 with Lock as his quarterback.
The former Mizzou tight end confirmed to Denver media he had spoken to Lock since the decision to start Bridgewater was announced.
"I've talked to Drew since," Okwuegbunam said on September 2. "Everything has been super positive. He hasn't been negative about it at all, and nobody on the team has. That wasn't our decision.
“It was a coach’s decision, and whatever their decision was—which was Teddy—it was obviously the right decision for the team, and we got to make it the right decision. I love Teddy and Drew, both as people and quarterbacks. They're both super talented."
Lock himself spoke about his demotion shortly after it became public in a raw press conference, showing maturity beyond his years.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," Lock said on August 25. "Every feeling that you could possibly have at this point, this day, this circumstance, you know they're running deep. I feel like at the time, I was playing some of the best football I've played since I've been in the league. I was more confident than I've ever been.
“Most of you guys think of me as a confident guy, but I was probably more confident than I've been since I've been in the league since this OTAs, this training camp, this preseason. This is such a special team, I was hoping and looking forward to being able to lead this team."
In spite of his disappointment Lock, who threw 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in the 2020 season, wants to do everything he can to help his team, including the man who has taken his job.
"No finger-pointing, no negativity. It's going to be about me finding ways to still make this team great, whether that's in practice, working with Teddy, trying to find ways for him to get better. Whatever he needs me to do, that's pretty much my goal. Look in the mirror, see what I need to get better at. Figure out what it is to keep progressing, keep getting better.
“Not taking any steps back, just keep taking steps forward without taking some of the reps. It was disappointing, but I'm going to do everything I can for this team, for Teddy and keep the momentum going forward as far as my play goes.
"As nice as that is to hear it was that close, it's still tough. You work at it, you want it so bad and then it ends up not going in your favor. But you won't see me out here [acting any differently] — I was thinking about like, do I come out and, you know, smile around here, be my normal self?
“Because all right, they're going to think, 'Shoot, he doesn't care about not having the starting job.' But no, that's not [it]. I'm going to be myself every day I'm out here. I'm going to get better, I'm going to have fun. I'm going to bring energy to this practice, bring energy to this team and just keep being myself."
Despite the outcome falling the way of Bridgewater, the Broncos' brass have been thoroughly impressed with the improvement in Lock during training camp.
"His pocket awareness has improved, his command of the offense has improved, his accuracy has improved," coach Fangio said on August 25. "I don't have any doubt that Drew's going to be a quality starting quarterback in this league."
Just because his time isn't now doesn't mean Lock believes it won't come ever again. He seems ready and willing to take his shot when it arises.
"I'm confident that if my time comes — you don't wish anything negative upon anybody ever, especially this position, because I know how hard it is to get to that starting spot — but if my time does come, I'll be ready for it whenever and there won't be any lack of work," Lock said during his August 25 press conference.
"I'm going to keep working every single day. I'm going to try to get to better every single day. If that time does come, then I'm going to be able to go out there and keep the play the same. If not, try to take it a little better.”
Von Miller makes bold statement on Broncos season
The uncertainty under centre has been a popular topic for media and fans alike across Colorado but the Super Bowl 50 MVP isn’t phased.
Peyton Manning’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a nostalgic moment for Broncos Country, celebrating their Super Bowl winning favorite son. Yet it equally served as a reminder of how vastly different their present-day quarterback situation is.
Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are still battling it out for the starting spot, despite Fangio naming Lock the starter for Saturday’s preseason opener at Minnesota. The uncertainty under centre has been a popular topic for media and fans alike across Colorado but one man who isn’t worried is the Super Bowl 50 MVP; Von Miller.
Speaking to Denver media after yesterday’s joint practice with the Vikings, Miller revealed how relaxed he is about the status of his signal-callers.
“To be honest—I keep it real with all you guys. I really don’t even think about it. I really don’t,” Miller said.
“Our offense is just so good. I say it all the time. We have Noah Fant, ‘Albert O’, Garett Bolles, Bobby Massie, Dalton Risner, Graham Glasgow. We have ‘Cush’ in the middle. We have Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler, ‘Spence’, Melvin Gordon. I know these guys. I see these guys every day.”
Hilariously, Miller suggested he would be able to keep it together with the weaponry available on offense Perhaps Von Elway could come to life after all.
“Whatever quarterback we put out there—I can go out there and play quarterback to be honest. I can go out there and play quarterback and make it happen. Those two guys are way better than me. Whatever quarterback they feel like going with, that’ll be the starter, and we have a great one on the bench.”
Before leaving the podium, Miller sent a vote of confidence to teammates and fans alike, giving hope of what may come this season.
“I think this is our year to do it. This is the best team we’ve been able to field for at least six or seven years. I’m excited about this team and I’m ready to go. Whatever quarterback we get, it’ll be good for me.”
Six or seven years ago? Remember what happened all those years ago, Broncos Country? Let me refresh your memory.
Von also had great things to say about his running mate Bradley Chubb, who managed 7.5 sacks last season despite his absence.
“Bradley—he’s just a different animal. He’s just a different beast. [He’s] so motivated and so driven,” Miller said.
“He’s inspired to be great in this league. I really enjoy playing with Bradley. He’s fighting back through injury and he’s doing everything he could possibly do to be on the football field. He is on the football field and he does a great job.
“His workload is increasing every day. It’ll be great to be back on the field with Bradley. He’s going to be good—100 percent. We don’t have to worry about Bradley Chubb.”
With Miller and Chubb lined up opposite each other again, alongside the offseason additions of Patrick Sutain III, Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby, the Broncos defense should be able to uphold their end of the bargain.
If Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater can steady the ship, this Denver team has every chance to be as good as the Vonster suggests.
Broncos name Drew Lock & Teddy bridgewater co-starters
Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has given no quarter on who his team’s #1 signal-caller will be.
It’s a mile-high shootout in Denver. Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has given no quarter on who his team’s #1 signal-caller will be.
The three-time Super Bowl champs brought in Teddy Bridgewater this offseason to compete with Lock, and he’s doing exactly that.
Lock meanwhile has shown greater poise in camp thus far, despite a league-low completion percentage among eligible QBs last season. Though his arm strength and deep ball ability is unquestioned.
If he can clean up his decision-making, Lock has far greater upside to help the Broncos offense compete with division rivals, Los Angeles and Kansas City.
Bridgewater may not have the explosiveness of Lock but he provides the Broncos with a safety blanket that Lock’s relative inexperience may not afford him.
Whichever option Fangio decides to go with, the Broncos need their offense to hold up its end of the bargain if they want to be in with a shout of the AFC playoffs come January.