Denver Broncos could sneak into 2021 quarterback market

The Denver Broncos could sneak into the 2021 quarterback market.

The Denver Broncos have not had the easiest time replacing NFL legend Peyton Manning at the quarterback position.

Whether it’s been injuries, failed draft choices, failed free agent signings, or failed trade acquisitions, John Elway has had a tough time identifying “the guy” who can be the long-term solution at the position for the team he played for from 1983-1999.

Elway himself was the model of consistency, stability, and star power at the quarterback position. He has found that identifying that piece as a general manager is not the easiest thing in the world to do.

With so many young quarterbacks emerging elsewhere in the NFL and specifically with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in the AFC West, the pressure has been much heavier on John Elway of late.

Drew Lock’s five games at the end of the 2019 season provided Denver Broncos fans with a glimmer of hope, and the team spent its primary assets in the 2020 offseason building around Lock.

So far in 2020, Lock really has just three games under his belt and has missed another three with a shoulder injury.

In those three (ish) games, Lock has completed just 55.9 percent of his passes with just one touchdown, four interceptions, and a rushing touchdown.

To be fair to Lock, a number of really good throws of his have been dropped. Some of those throws could have added substantially to his 2020 touchdown total. Also to be fair to Lock, he’s playing in a new offense this year and his top wide receiver (Courtland Sutton) is on injured reserve with a knee injury.

With all of that said, the Broncos are expecting big things from Lock in 2020, or at least tangible improvements and reasons to believe that he is undoubtedly “the guy” going into the 2021 NFL offseason, where there will once again be plenty of intrigue at the quarterback position.

There are 10 more games for Lock to “convincingly” take the Broncos’ quarterback job, and according to team insider Benjamin Allbright, he has not done that thus far.

There are plenty of reasons for the Denver Broncos to love Drew Lock.

He’s got poise, moxie, leadership skills, he has the ability to recall plays with seemingly a photographic memory, he has the physical tools and arm talent, and the team has really rallied around him.

The ultimate reality is, Lock is going to have to be much better than he has been, especially with Mahomes in the division and both Justin Herbert and Derek Carr playing so well for the Chargers and Raiders, respectively.

Lock is going through growing pains that are typical of young quarterbacks in the NFL. The Broncos are taking the good with Lock and trying to teach him not to repeat the bad. Lock, like almost any QB ever, falls into bad habits when he’s trying too hard to make plays.

If Lock can do a better job of taking what the defense gives him and stepping into the pocket to take shots downfield when situations call for them, he will be just fine.

After the Broncos’ latest blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, there’s obvious concern over the future of the franchise and specifically at quarterback. Broncos fans were hoping to see a much more competitive offense against the Chiefs, but frankly it was one of the Broncos’ worst offensive outputs of the year.

It’s very difficult not to be a prisoner of the moment, especially when other young quarterbacks are having success around the league. The Broncos will be patient with Lock, at least for this year, but at year’s end, don’t be shocked if this team has been keeping one eye on quarterbacks if they decide Lock has not shown enough.