Don’t blame Lock or Bridgewater if they struggle as the Broncos QB

Unsurprisingly, as the Denver Broncos head into its preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the quarterback competition continues to underwhelm. Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock have been unable to pull away from one another, and at this point it is still a “coin flip,” as head coach Vic Fangio has now famously called this competition.

Anything can happen once the season starts. However unlikely, Bridgewater or Lock could play great and lead the Broncos to the playoffs. The more likely scenario is that the Broncos receive mediocre play at the position in 2021.

If Bridgewater or Lock (or both) struggle as Denver’s starting quarterback, don’t blame them; blame their bosses.

This past week both, general manager George Paton and Fangio displayed that they have little interest in placing importance on the quarterback position.

Paton told Peter King of NBC Sports:

“… This is not why we did it (draft Surtain) — but quarterbacks are available more than franchise corners every year, at least the last couple of years.”

What I think Paton really said here is he didn’t see Justin Fields or Mac Jones as franchise quarterbacks. He just said it in a really weird fashion. Paton’s poor choice of words lead us to believe he thinks finding a franchise cornerback is harder than finding a quarterback.

Maybe Paton needs to look at the Broncos recent history.

In the past 15-20 years, the Broncos have had Champ Bailey, Chris Harris Jr, Aqib Talib, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and now Pat Surtain II and Kyle Fuller have both come to Denver in one offseason. Aside from those six, they’ve received quality play from Andre Goodman, Bradley Roby and Bryce Callahan.

Quality quarterbacks don’t get released and cut. Fuller was released. The Arizona Cardinals moved on from Patrick Peterson. Darrelle Revis switched teams every season.

Cornerbacks are always available.

Maybe Paton is remembering that in one season with quarterback Case Keenum, the Vikings went further than they have with “Mr. Overpaid” Kirk Cousins.

In the past 15-20 years, the Broncos have had consistent quality play from one quarterback: Peyton Manning. There were some successful years with Jake Plummer and occasional bright spots early on with Trevor Siemian, not to mention five games with a rookie Lock, but it’s only been Manning. Plummer was fun and a leader, but Manning was the only “franchise” quarterback.

If Denver struggles at the quarterback position, don’t blame Bridgewater or Lock.  Blame the Broncos’ delusional view of the quarterback position.

Bridgewater and Lock can only work toward the opportunity provided to them.  Paton deemed them starting-caliber quarterbacks and legitimately thinks Denver can win with either player (or despite either player). It’s not their fault the Broncos picked them.

It’s also not on Bridgewater and Lock to do anything beyond what they are capable. They were hired to do the job, and they’ll do their best. When their best is not good enough, it’s not their responsibility to report back to Paton and say, “Hey, we suck at this. You should get someone else.”

Many experts regularly rank both quarterbacks in the bottom third of the NFL, so ineffective play is expected. All that can be asked of the two competing quarterbacks is they do everything they can to succeed.

But at some point, players are limited based on their talent and skill level. That’s where the player evaluations come in. If the Broncos have the wrong players on the field, and it’s obvious, the fault resides with the front office.

Regardless of what you think of the talent level of either quarterback, their effort can’t be denied.  Bridgewater and Lock are out at a camp every day trying their best to be Denver’s starting quarterback. Both players are trying their best to lead this talented Broncos roster to the playoffs. Neither Bridgewater nor Lock “suck.” They are both in the NFL, so they’re good at football.

The reality is that both quarterbacks in this competition are not the same caliber as most of the starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

For whatever reason, Paton just doesn’t see the value in taking a big swing to find that franchise quarterback.  Paton told King he felt a duty to see if Lock is the franchise quarterback, but it doesn’t make sense to make him compete with a journeyman like Bridgewater. If they believed in Lock, Bridgewater is not quality enough to take reps away from the player you feel a duty to.

So again, Paton is just talking in circles and not making sense.

What has become the issue in Denver is that the biggest decision makers don’t really seem to place much value on the impact of a franchise quarterback. Fangio admitted this week that he didn’t watch much of the offense in the first practice with the Vikings, which seems irresponsible considering there is a quarterback competition.

Fangio would have a hard time convincing anyone right now he cares about the offense.

Does Fangio need to watch the defense to figure out that Von Miller, Dre’Mont Jones, Shelby Harris, Bradley Chubb, Surtain, Justin Simmons, Fuller and Kareem Jackson are good?  It would appear he just wants to admire his favorite side of the ball.

The Broncos have hired a head coach and general manager who are very passive when it comes to the quarterback. Denver’s piling up losing seasons, and the one constant has been bad play from under center. In a quarterback-driven league, the Broncos are led by two people who just don’t seem to get it.

Don’t boo Bridgewater or Lock. Don’t let them become the target of Broncos leadership. They are out on the field because they are deemed by Paton and Fangio as “good enough.”

Bridgewater and Lock can only take the opportunity placed in front of them. They are who they are. If the Broncos quarterback problem of the last five seasons persists in 2021, the blame should be placed on those with the power to improve it, not the players they misjudged.