Playing quarterback in the NFL is a position entrenched in pressure.

Quarterbacks are asked to know everyone’s exact position on the field during every play, an extremely tough task. They’re forced to not only know the playbook inside and out, but to know their teammates’ tendencies as well. A QB must lead with his play on the football field, and in every other way off of it.

It’s a task so difficult, it’s a wonder anyone wants to take it on in the first place.

For Drew Lock, it’s been a rough start to his career, playing in a mere 17 games in two years due to multiple injuries and a lapse of awareness forcing him out of a game due to COVID protocol. And when he has played, Lock’s struggled; his completion percentage (57.0) is 36th this year, his passer rating is 35th (72.5) and he leads the NFL in interceptions with 15.

He has put on a few great performances, too — like the four-touchdown game against Carolina this year and the superb showing in Houston last season — but fans and critics alike are looking for much more consistency out of his play.

Even with all the ups and downs, newcomer running back Melvin Gordon sees a lot of positive in his play and that Denver’s success in 2021 hinges on Lock’s play.

“I feel like we have [a] window with this team, and he is the piece that’s going to make or break us,” Gordon said on Wednesday at Dove Valley.

Gordon could be right about the Broncos’ window of success starting in 2021. Courtland Sutton will return to the offense, Noah Fant has emerged as a big-play tight end while the offensive line continues to grow. That side of the ball could be a deadly force, but it all rests on Lock’s shoulders.

“You feel that from Day 1 when you’re playing quarterback for any team,” Lock explained. “It’s a given pressure that is put on you, but it’s one that I’m excited about.”

He went onto explain how this offseason will be much different than last year, and he’ll be able to participate in meetings with coaches and teammates instead of learning the offense on his own at home.

Simply, Lock also has to learn how to throw the ball away when his receivers are covered. He’s forced far too many passes into coverage this year, or decided at the last second to throw it, like his first interception against the Chargers last week. Along with his three fumbles, Lock has turned the ball over 18 times this year and his Broncos are dead-last in the NFL in turnover differential (-20), and it’s not even close. 

And the veteran running back acknowledged it has been a bumpy road with Lock at QB, but explained, “I don’t care how many mistakes he makes; when he’s out there, I believe that he can make every throw that’s needed, every call, every check,” Gordon continued.

Everyone understands Lock is early on in his career, but Gordon’s comments only help to signal that 2021 isn’t just make or break for the Broncos’ small window of opportunity, but for Lock as well.

As a rookie, he only got an opportunity to play late in the season and did so-so. The 2020 starting job was handed to him on a silver platter, but a bevy of injuries and this extraordinary COVID season has given enough in terms of excuses to give him a shot as the starter again in 2021.

But, for how long?

Expect the Broncos to bring in a veteran quarterback like Andy Dalton, Gardner Minshew or Nick Foles to compete with and push Lock. If he shrinks under that pressure, or if he continues to turn the ball over in every game, look for Lock to be benched mid-season.

No one’s job is guaranteed in the NFL, not even the young quarterback a franchise hopes to be the QB of the future.

What does he have to do to make and not break the Broncos in 2021? He needs to stop throwing off his back foot and make decisions more quickly. Lock’s accuracy has to improve from dead-last in the league to a respectable 62-65 percent, which is a big ask. His “bad throw percentage” is worst in the NFL at 22.5 percent per Pro Football Reference, but his receivers also have to stop dropping the ball (6.4 percent drop rate is second-worst). If he improves that accuracy and decision-making, his turnovers numbers will plummet, which will help keep Denver in close games and possibly win them.

Lock’s shown flashes of brilliance, but in Year 3, mere flashes aren’t enough. The Broncos need a consistent, winning quarterback and 2021 is Lock’s last chance to prove he’s just that.