Jimmy Garoppolo, 3 other quarterbacks under pressure in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Drew Lock, Denver Broncos
If the Niners were fully interested in moving Jimmy Garoppolo during the offseason, the Denver Broncos could have been a feasible destination.
Unlike Jimmy G with Trey Lance and Cam Newton with Mac Jones, though, the Broncos didn’t bring in a high-profile rookie to potentially compete with their incumbent starter, Drew Lock, rather they traded for former Carolina Panthers veteran signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater.
Yes, that’s pressure right away. But the bigger pressure on Lock will be the long-term analysis beyond 2021.
Entering year three of his pro career after being Denver’s second-round pick in 2019, it’s essentially “put up or shut up” time for Lock. In a division boasting quarterbacking studs like the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Lock’s play the last two years has done nothing to signify the Broncos could be regular contenders for the AFC West crown.
Perhaps that changes this year, and Denver has no shortage of offensive weapons to help Lock with his maturation.
But after leading the NFL in 2021 with 15 interceptions, patience is assuredly running out with Lock, and the Broncos certainly aren’t going to be fully committed to his fourth year unless he shows some serious improvement this upcoming season.