Denver Broncos coach nearing a decision on starting quarterback

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio is nearing a decision on his starting quarterback. Returning starter Drew Lock and last season’s Carolina Panthers starter Teddy Bridgewater have competed throughout camp for the keys to the offense.

Fangio said that he is “pretty damn close” to a decision, via Troy Renck of thedenverchannel.com. He added that “we have more information coming.”

Bridgewater is set to start the Broncos’ second preseason game after Drew Lock got the start in game one.

Comments from the quarterbacks

Lock enters the season as the incumbent starting quarterback but has struggled enough in his first two NFL seasons for the Broncos to warrant a competition. He was the No. 42 overall selection in the 2019 draft and the fourth quarterback taken in the class.

“The human nature is to dive into it, think about it, almost over analyze it at times,” Lock said. “That’s just humans being humans. To say I’ve never done that during this process, I would be lying to you. But it really comes down to the basics. Controlling what you can control, thinking about how you can help the team win.”

Bridgewater originally went No. 32 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 NFL Draft. After an injury derailed Bridgewater’s promising NFL start, he has spent the past four years as a borderline starter who can provide good value as a backup. After starting 28 games in his first two seasons, Bridgewater has made 21 starts over the past four years.

“You know man this is one of those deals where we are competing every day to be the best team we can be as we get ready for the fall,” Bridgewater said. “Like I said a couple of weeks ago, a decision will be made and we will go forward. Whatever happens, it will be best for the team. Right now all I can do is focus on being a better player, better teammate and a better father.”

Upcoming schedule

Over the course of training camp, reports indicate that there has been very little separation between the two. Lock and Bridgewater have split snaps 50/50 throughout practice but the battle could be coming to a close.

The Broncos open their regular season slate with a road game against the New York Giants on Sept. 12. Denver faces its second East coast game in as many weeks with a trip to Jacksonville before heading home for the first time against the Jets in Week 3 of the preseason.