Bridgewater needs to thrive where Keenum and Flacco did not

Teddy Bridgewater is preparing to be the Broncos fifth opening day starter since Peyton Manning retired. Much like his predecessors, Bridgewater is an underwhelming option for the Broncos.

The perception has been that Bridgewater is the “safe” option for the Broncos. He’s more experienced and the perception is that he’s less reckless than Drew Lock. If Bridgewater truly wants to lead the Broncos back to the postseason, he has to be go beyond the “safe” perception and actually execute.

In the past five years, the Broncos have tried the experienced veteran route at quarterback. Both times, it cost them wins and maybe even playoff appearances. Bridgewater’s success is going to hinge on his ability to do what Case Keenum and Joe Flacco could not do, and that’s be a game manager and not cost the team.

Keenum was supposed to the steady hand at quarterback in 2018. After two years of the hilariously bad quarterback room of Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, Keenum was going to be “the man” in Denver.

Keenum’s one year in Denver was bad news. His first pass was an interception, he finished tied for second in the NFL with 15 interceptions and in front of the whole world Keenum made an ridiculous overthrow of Demaryius Thomas on what would have been a game-winning touchdown against the Chiefs on “Monday Night Football.” There were only five games in 2018 that Keenum did not throw an interception, coincidentally it was the Broncos most successful stretch of the season.

After the Keenum debacle, the Broncos decided they needed an upgrade and for some reason felt Joe Flacco fit the mold. Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP, came to Denver to bring stability and winning experience to the quarterback position. In the end, Flacco a taller and more expensive Case Keenum.

Hidden behind all the defensive collapses of 2019 was Flacco’s ability to singlehandedly put the Broncos in terrible positions.

In Week 2 of 2019, the Broncos played The Bears. While trailing 13-6 with under five minutes to play in the game, Flacco threw a red zone interception. A touchdown would have tied the game. The Bears’ defense was wearing down and Flacco didn’t take advantage. Flacco did lead a later touchdown drive for a late lead, but his red zone interception was a momentum killer that cost the Broncos the game.

The following week in Green Bay, Flacco blew it twice against the Packers. Fumbling while tied 10-10 and later throwing an interception while down by just eight points.

Flacco would encore these two performances with a costly interception against the Jaguars that ended up swinging the momentum in that game. Flacco’s ill-timed turnover was the catalyst to a Jaguars upset win in Denver.

Yes, Vic Fangio’s defenses collapsed late in those games, but Flacco’s mistakes cost the team. Had he been able to game manage and not turn the ball in crucial times, The Broncos could have snuck into the playoffs in 2019.

As Bridgewater takes over, the narrative has been that he is the guy you can “trust.” Well, Bridgewater didn’t necessarily light it up in 2020 when he threw 11 interceptions. Fans of Bridgewater point to his performance in New Orleans in 2019 when he threw only two interceptions. I guess it’s possible that he re-creates that success in Denver, but Bridgewater was a backup in New Orleans; he wasn’t playing with the pressure of being the starting quarterback. Bridgewater’s time in Carolina is a larger sample size and more recent.

Teddy Bridgewater is never going to be a guy that lights it up like Drew Brees or Patrick Mahomes. His career high for touchdown passes in a season is 15. Where Bridgewater can help the Broncos is not costing his team in big moments.

Both Flacco and Keenum were supposed to bring experience and game management and instead they brought turnovers. Their credibility was out the window almost immediately when they made mistakes in crucial moments.

Bridgewater being “safer” and the guy you can “trust” is just a narrative, not a fact. Bridgewater must prove it on the field. The captain “C” on the jersey is meaningless if you can’t lead your team to victories.

The Broncos are a team that could sneak into the playoffs. They could have snuck in 2018 and 2019 if they had quarterbacks that could have just got out of the way.

If Bridgewater can be “steady Teddy” with the game on the line, then the Broncos might be the surprise team of 2021. If not, it will be another failed veteran quarterback experiment in Denver.