Drew Lock can learn lesson of resilience from ex-Broncos QB Brian Griese

The Denver Broncos starting quarterback situation for 2021 continues to be shrouded in mystery.

Even though Denver did not pull off a trade for Matthew Stafford, we have since learned they were in discussions about a possible deal.

With Stafford out, the Broncos are expected to at least inquire about disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The prospects of Stafford and Watson are exciting to Broncos Country, but in the end, odds are Denver will have Drew Lock as its starter in 2021.

Even if the team pursues a veteran quarterback, such as Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston or Jacoby Brissett, one of those options will likely play the role of mentor/backup to Lock instead of direct competitor.

If indeed Lock is under center for the Broncos in 2021, he should look back to another young Denver quarterback who ignored the outside noise and was able to establish himself as a starter.

In 1999, the Broncos were defending Super Bowl champions, and it was assumed that Bubby Brister would be the starting quarterback. But after the fourth preseason game, head coach Mike Shanahan dropped a bombshell and benched Brister in favor of second-year quarterback Brian Griese.

Griese shined in the preseason but had yet to see any action in a meaningful NFL game.

Starting 0-4 and finishing with a 6-10 record, Griese’s first season as a starter was an uneven one. With a completion percentage of just 57 percent, Griese tossed 14 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.

While his first campaign as Broncos starter wasn’t an outright disaster, Griese didn’t do enough to firmly establish himself for the 2000 season.

That offseason, there had been rumblings Denver was looking to possibly sign Steve Young — at the time an elite quarterback in the NFL for almost a decade, a Super Bowl winner, a future Hall of Famer, and someone who knew the Shanahan offense well.

The Broncos still had much of their Super Bowl-winning roster from 1998 intact, so adding Young would once again make the Denver legitimate contenders to win it all.

Ultimately, Young decided on retirement, and the Broncos signed experienced journeyman Gus Frerotte to add depth to the quarterback room.

With Frerotte on the roster, if Griese continued to perform inconsistently, the Broncos had a great option to replace him.

But Griese responded by delivering one of the best and most underrated performances in Denver’s history.

The Broncos opened the 2000 season on Monday Night Football against Kurt Warner and the defending Super Bowl champion St Louis Rams.

Once again, the Rams were going with the high-scoring offense known as the “Greatest Show on Turf.”

In the end, the Broncos lost 41-36. Yes, it was a loss, but it was also proof Denver was back. They were able to stand toe-to-toe with the champs.

Furthermore, Griese proved he was the unquestioned starting quarterback for the Broncos moving forward. Against St. Louis, Griese went 19-for-29 for 307 yards, two touchdown passes, no interceptions, and a rushing touchdown.

Griese only started 10 games in 2000 due to a shoulder injury, but he was able to throw for 19 touchdowns with only four interceptions and a completion percentage of 64 percent.

His 10-game performance was good enough to earn him a spot in the Pro Bowl. More meaningful, his 2000 campaign earned him the starting role for the following two seasons.

Unfortunately, Griese never seemed to get over the shoulder injury and was unable to capture his 2000 magic.

Drew Lock finds himself in a similar spot to Griese in 2000.

Lock’s first full season as a starter was uninspiring. There were flashes, and he was improved by season’s end, but Lock did not do enough to definitively say he should be the starter in 2021.

Denver was in talks to trade for Stafford and will likely call about Watson. But Lock can’t control that. And until he’s not the starter, he needs to prepare like he will be.

Much like Griese’s confidence wasn’t shaken by the Steve Young rumors, Lock can’t let the Stafford and Watson rumors make him nervous.

If unable to land Watson, Denver will likely bring in a veteran, just like they brought in Frerotte in 2000. Again, Griese was unfazed by the prospect of being replaced by a veteran backup.

There are differences between Lock’s and Griese’s situations. The 2000 Broncos were a better roster than what Denver currently has. And Shanahan and then-offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak were far better for a young quarterback then anybody currently on the Broncos staff.

To be clear, I’m not saying Griese is evidence Lock will turn it around. Griese’s success in 2000 does not mean Lock will have success in 2021. The two are unrelated and independent of each other.

What Lock can do is learn from Griese’s situation. He can’t have hurt feelings because the Broncos sought to replace him.

The only thing Lock should worry about is improving as a starter.

Lock has had the opportunity to speak with John Elway and Peyton Manning. If he wants to take a step forward in 2021, he should probably pick up the phone and call Brian Griese — find out how Griese prepared, improved and, most importantly, ignored the distractions.

If given a second opportunity to start for the Broncos, Lock can earn himself a future by being undeniable, just like Griese was in 2000.