For multiple reasons, veteran Broncos players believe in Drew Lock

The Broncos have some young leaders ready to elevate their game in 2020. The offense is especially packed full of young playmakers who are becoming leaders in the locker room.

Players like wide receiver and Courtland Sutton are ready to take over this team. Sutton is already respected for his work ethic and production on the field as a rising star in the league.

Drew Lock only played five games last year, but the veterans on this team have bought in on him as the starting quarterback. Yes, sometimes veterans praise a young quarterback just because they don’t want to be a bad teammate. However, behind the scenes, you would hear rumblings about young player, like former first-round pick Paxton Lynch.

That’s not the case with Lock. The veterans and veteran leaders on defense have certainly warmed up to Lock as the starter. In fact, these guys believe he can be the team’s franchise quarterback in 2020 and beyond.

Why do veterans believe in Lock? Let us count the ways.

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Lock is Exciting

“Game recognizes game” is a saying you hear often around sports. Players, especially veteran players, can usually tell quickly whether or not a young player can make it in the NFL.

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has seen a lot during his 10-year pro career. He’s known as a veteran leader that other players can follow on and off the field. Jackson is also known as a player who won’t pull any punches.

He’s honest. He won’t sugarcoat his words when he’s talking about his teammates. That’s why what he said about Lock on Tuesday is quite telling given his experience and no-nonsense approach to the game.

“I think he handled himself well. I know I’m looking for him to do some great things this year especially going 4-1 in his first starts. I’m eager to see him step in and be the guy day one and see they way he’ll progress throughout practice and the way he’ll get better and just progressing throughout the year and just leading this team. I think he has that type of capability that he can go out and be a big-time leader for us and he can go out and make some things happen on Sunday for us and put some points up,” Jackson said.

Jackson has game, and he recognizes that Lock has game, as well. It doesn’t mean Lock won’t have some struggles in his second year, but the support of his veteran teammates will help incredibly if the young quarterback goes through some tough times.

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Committed to Greatness

There is no doubt that Lock wants to be great and the veterans on his team can sense that. Lock is self-motivated and wants to be one of the best in the NFL. He recognizes the rich history at the quarterback position the Broncos have, and he wants to be up there with the all-time greats like John Elway and Peyton Manning.

Lock also realizes what this team did for him in the draft. The Broncos, led by Elway as the general manager, selected multiple weapons for the young gunslinger in an effort to make the Broncos offense as explosive as it can be. In his comments on Tuesday, you could certainly get a sense of Lock’s thankfulness with the moves.

“I think the move(s) just ended up saying that they saw something positive in the way I played in those last games, potentially being a guy here that could stay for a long time and help the Broncos win as many games as possible. It means a lot to me to see that happen. It puts a little extra confidence on my back,” Lock said.

Veteran players can sense that confidence. They won’t follow a player who doesn’t have the ultimate belief in himself and his abilities. That’s not a problem with the young passer.

Lock has a ton of confidence in himself. With the moves the Broncos made in the draft they show that they have a ton of confidence in him and his development, as well.

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Pressure Not a Problem

You saw it on film in college and in those five games last year for the Broncos – pressure doesn’t bother Lock. He has the ultimate confidence in his arm, and there’s not a throw in the NFL that Lock doesn’t think he can make. When he’s under duress, Lock has the athleticism to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield.

Pressure on the field is one thing, but Lock also thrives on the pressure of expectations that come with being a young quarterback in the NFL.

“Those expectations do rise when you have so many weapons around you, but I like to say that I hold myself to high expectations. I like to put pressure on myself in general. I think the pressure that I put on myself always outweighs the pressure that comes from media or even friends and family. I feel like the pressure that I hang on my head always means the most in the end to me.” Lock said.

There is no bigger critic of Lock than himself. He’s going to examine his game critically and do whatever he can to be the best he can be. Getting a quarterback who is cool under pressure on the field is a great find. Having that quarterback thrive under self-imposed pressure can turn out to be a special player for the team.

The veterans on this team see how hard Lock works during the week of practice. The Broncos defense can put pressure on some of the best in the business, and the way Lock has responded to that in practice has turned heads. Watching him go 4-1 as a starter in a lost season helped spark hope for the future. That’s something these veterans can get behind for 2020 and beyond.

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