There’s a method to the madness of the Drew Lock offseason narrative

People hate to be sold to, but they love to buy.

This common, but seemingly-counterintuitive, notion applies to the vast majority of today’s society. We consume goods, services and information constantly, but are wary of being explicitly told what to take in. Which is why consumers seem universally opposed to one thing: An overly aggressive sales pitch.

Everyone has been exposed to it at one time or another. Being pushed toward a product or idea so forcefully that any previous interest in the matter is replaced with skepticism and animosity. And once that trust bond is broken, it can be tough to recover.

Enter the 2021 Denver Broncos.

Coming off of a fourth-straight losing season in which the team dealt with every imaginable setback, the quarterback position feels, in some ways, less clear now than it did at the start of last season.

Statistically, Drew Lock ranked at or near the bottom in most relevant categories in 2020. He did little to cement himself as the franchise’s starting quarterback and the uncertainty has generated some interesting chatter, particularly from Lock’s teammates and other members of the organization.

When it comes to Lock and the 2021 season, Broncos Country is being hit over the head with a narrative that should give reason for suspicion.

The latest comments to raise an eyebrow came from Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick, who is coming off of a career year and was undoubtedly the most consistent and reliable receiving option last season.

In an interview with Mike Klis of 9News, Patrick gave an answer that, while seemingly complimentary in nature, raised valid questions about where things currently stand with Lock.

“Going forward, I think he understands what he needs to do,” Patrick said. “I’ve been in Denver for a couple weeks and his approach to the game has been 100 percent different than it was during the season. He’s one of the first guys in the building. One of the last guys to leave.”

There is a lot to unpack in that statement. Saying Lock “understands what he needs to do” causes immediate flashbacks to Garett Bolles and/or Vic Fangio discussing Ja’Wuan James prior to the 2020 season.

His approach to the game “has been 100 percent different” than it was during the season, according to Patrick. It doesn’t take a thorough investigation to read between those lines.

What was Lock doing so drastically different before that has suddenly changed for the better now?
If he is now one of the first guys in the building, and last one to leave, what was he before?

Patrick’s comments were far from an isolated incident as it relates to Lock. Kareem Jackson essentially campaigned for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on social media and then during an interview with TMZ. Jerry Jeudy said he and the team are “looking forward” to Watson’s decision about where to play during an interview with ESPN Radio. Bradley Chubb, Dalton Risner and Justin Simmons have all spoken about Lock’s development in some fashion this offseason.

And very little in the NFL happens by accident.

In today’s game, players are smart. They are well aware of the weight their words carry in a public setting. So to hear so many teammates make remarks about Lock raises a simple question: Why?

What do the Broncos have to gain from so many current players discussing Lock’s play and year-to-year development? It inevitably leads to vague, non-committal answers and speculation that cuts through the scripted, sanitized talking points.

Unless, of course, there is a more elaborate plan in motion.

What if by highlighting Lock’s struggles during previous seasons and zeroing in on his apparent offseason metamorphosis, the Broncos are actually getting out in front of the 2021 season?

By allowing more details about Lock’s apparently sub-par mindset and preparation to come to light, the team could essentially be “lowering the floor” for his evaluation throughout the upcoming year.

If we are told things were even worse than we thought before, the likelihood that we will see improvement in the future increases.

Add in the constant reassurance that things are “100 percent different” now, and the stage is set for Lock’s 2021 season to look like a massive leap forward, when in reality it may be closer to a baby step.

It’s the sports equivalent of tourists pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or playing with camera angles to make the fish you just caught seem much larger.

Like most of Broncos Country, I hope things click for Lock in year three and he plays well enough to instill confidence in his abilities once again and wash away the feelings of doubt currently expressed by many within the fanbase who are desperately searching for a quarterback they can believe in.

Being the starting quarterback of a storied franchise like the Broncos is a desirable gig for obvious reasons, but it also comes with a level of pressure and scrutiny that I, for one, do not envy.

That being said, the ongoing commentary regarding Lock’s 180-degree turnaround is leaving me with an uneasy feeling.

The same feeling that arises when a fast-talking agent makes your head spin discussing a potential insurance policy. Or when the friend you haven’t spoken to since high school wants to cut you in on a “life changing opportunity with zero risk and a massive reward.”

In my experience, if someone feels the need to reassure you constantly about something, they’re likely overcompensating for something else.

Here’s hoping that’s not the case with this season when it comes to the Broncos and their quarterback.