Quarterback controversies are almost synonymous with Bronco football.  There was Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning back in 2015, Trevor Siemian battling Paxton Lynch the following year, and now Pay-Per-View brings us the epic battle of Drew Lock versus Teddy Bridgewater.

Well, maybe that’s not Pay-Per-View worthy, but still a battle.

Drew Lock seemed to be the latest heir-apparent when the John Elway selection won four-out-of-five games during his rookie campaign.  But last season Lock regressed by throwing a league-high 15 interceptions while winning only four of his thirteen starts.

Teddy Bridgewater’s season wasn’t much better.  After being slated to be the next franchise quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, Bridgewater went 4-11 and was eventually replaced by Sam Darnold and traded to Denver for a sixth-round draft pick.

The concept was to simply provide a healthy competition at the quarterback position, but coach Vic Fangio has a tough decision to make in a battle he calls 50/50, even suggesting a coin flip to determine the eventual starter.

Save that quarter, Vic.  The starter is obvious.

• In a system that is built on defense and ball security, Teddy Bridgewater brings the experience, game management skills, and veteran leadership that the Broncos have been missing. Mentored by Drew Brees, starting his seventh year in the NFL, the one-time Pro Bowler will be Denver’s new starting quarterback.

I can see the headlines now.  Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Denver Picks Teddy

• Although the upside for Bridgewater isn’t much. Almost 29 years-old, and having missed two seasons due to injuries, Denver doesn’t gain much starting a veteran stopgap who is only on a one-year/$11.5 million contract.

If Drew Lock can improve his accuracy and ball security just a bit, he would be the obvious starter.  Forget what I said.  In a preseason that has Lock throwing at a 67% completion rate with no interceptions, I’m naming Lock as this season’s starter.

I can see the headlines now.  In the Battle of Choosing a QB – Drew is a Lock

• Although Bridgewater’s 2020 wasn’t really fair to evaluate. A new team, a new system, a new offensive coordinator, and star running back Christian McCaffrey played only three games.  To put that into perspective, McCaffrey had only 59 carries and 17 catches in 2020.  The previous year McCaffrey caught 116 passes for 1,005 yards and ran for 1,387 more with 15 TDs.

Provide Teddy with a Melvin Gordon Jr., Jerry Jeudy, and Noah Fant and we are talking playoffs.

Back to my original statement.  This Teddy Isn’t Soft –Bridgewater Named Denver’s Next Starting Quarterback

• Although Drew Lock had no mini-camp due to COVID-19 last year, a new offensive coordinator as well in Pat Shurmur, and dealt with two rookie wide receivers and the absence of Courtland Sutton.

I take it back.  Drew is Denver’s Quarterback Choice – And He’s Locked and Loaded

• Hold on. Teddy Bridgewater studied under the tutelage of the great Drew Brees in New Orleans.  Drew Lock studied under Jeff Driskel.  Teddy is Ready.
• Drew Lock is only on his second year of a four-year/$7 million contract. Which makes Lock the more affordable choice.  Lock Over Teddy in a Bear of a Decision.
• On second thought, I can’t get over Lock’s 15 interceptions, his tendency to fumble the ball, and last year’s 57% completion rate. Talk of Teddy as a Backup is Water Under the Bridge.
• Although, Bridgewater threw 11 interceptions last season and was subsequently traded for only a sixth-round pick! Lock Ness Monster!
• Except Lock was apparently shopped all off-season and NO ONE wanted him. This Lock Lacks Security – Bridgewater Named Starter
• Bridgewater is injury-prone, but Lock has missed some games as well. Bridgewater can’t throw deep, but Lock throws deep to the wrong team.  Bridgewater is a great backup who shouldn’t be a starter.  Lock is a starter who should be playing backup!

Fine.  Instead of flipping a coin, let’s randomly decide by, I don’t know, closest birthday to Christmas.  Wait, they were both born on November 10^th?

Okay, let’s be practical.  If Drew Lock starts and eventually gets replaced by Bridgewater, the Drew Lock experiment will be officially over, and Teddy will literally be the bridge to our next franchise quarterback.  If Bridgewater starts the season and fails, Drew Lock comes in as the most popular man in the stadium as the backup QB.  Then the least popular once the turnovers and inaccurate throws begin.

One final, yet controversial last headline.  The Quarterback Decision – It’s Elementary My Dear Watson.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks back to the locker room after warm ups before the start of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at NRG Stadium in Houston .

Images via nbc.com, nbcsports.com, si.com, startribune.com,kdvr.com, houstonchronical.com

Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship