What we know this offseason is Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are in a battle for the starting quarterback position. Despite the smoke surrounding Aaron Rodgers and his beef with the Green Bay Packers, Bridgewater has the opportunity to be the “man” for the Denver Broncos in 2021.
Now both quarterbacks have strengths and areas of weakness, making this competition clouded before training camp.
For each guy to separate himself from the other, there are aspects to their game they must improve when training camp ends and the regular season begins.
After already examining what Lock needs to do to win the job, here is what the new addition — Bridgewater — must do to start Week 1. If he can win the job, and plays well, he can take advantage of what may be his last chance to be an NFL starter.
Teddy Bridgewater must build rapport with Courtland Sutton
Through the offseason, Bridgewater has seemed to develop a good rapport with Jerry Jeudy. It is also safe to assume that he can be successful hitting a prime tight end target, like Noah Fant, underneath. The missing piece is developing a good on-field relationship with Courtland Sutton.
The Pro Bowl receiver is the only offensive weapon Bridgewater has yet to work with. Lock has a history with Sutton, which will help him as training camp rolls around. Those two already have an off-the-field bond and a wonderful on-field connection.
If Lock’s challenger shows he can mesh with Sutton as he has with Jeudy, he will unlock this offense (pun intended).
Bridgewater has never been an above-average deep passer, but having a guy like Sutton on his side could make all the difference. The veteran quarterback’s lack of velocity on the deep ball will matter less targeting Sutton, as he can high point the pass with the best of them.
Bridgewater can also use his anticipation to throw deep, as he did with the New Orleans Saints in 2019. If he has the confidence to put the ball up, Sutton will come down with it.
According to reports, the Bucs are going 'All In' on Tom Brady. But what if it doesn't work out? Would Teddy Bridgewater be an option? Would he fit in a vertical offense like Bruce Arians' with his arm strength & mobility? I took a look at the tape to find out! #PlayByPlayByCheah pic.twitter.com/flDjxhbcpM
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) March 16, 2020
If Bridgewater is unable to build an on-field connection with Sutton, the team will waste a premier talent. That could be too much to overcome and he could be regulated to the bench because of it.
Bridgewater needs to be more than “Check Down Teddy”
Bridgewater’s completion percentage was a robust 69.1 percent per Pro Football Reference. However, those numbers were inflated with a ton of short throws and check-downs.
A lot of what the Carolina Panthers did last season was designed for short throws and underneath work by backs and receivers.
This signaled the team did not believe Bridgewater could throw the ball with authority down the field. With weapons to stretch the field like DJ Moore and Robby Anderson, this is very concerning.
Bridgewater’s inability to hit big plays may have kept the Panthers from winning several of their games. Carolina lost 11 games last season, eight of which were by one score or less. In many of those games, he had the ball with a chance to win.
Unlike Lock, Bridgewater’s lack of killer instinct leads to failed drives when the game was on the line.
Like Lock, Bridgewater forced the ball into windows trying too hard to make a play. Or worse, he would hold the ball too long, leading to a sack, and his team moving out of scoring range.
For instance, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Charlotte Observer summarized Teddy Bridgewater’s 2020 season. He identified a few plays, good and bad.
In this play against the Broncos, Bridgewater hesitates and is unable to get rid of the ball. This cost the Panthers points in a game they had a chance to win late.
https://youtu.be/uGWyFY2vR10
Bridgewater has to increase his aggression and make plays, which he can do. His athleticism is underrated. In this play, Bridgewater recognizes pressure and avoids it. He does not settle for the short throw but makes an aggressive throw on a line.
One of the very best plays of Teddy Bridgewater's career. Magic. pic.twitter.com/F606qvfkIh
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) October 26, 2020
If he can consistently move the sticks and push the ball on intermediate routes, he has a good chance to be the Broncos starting quarterback this season.
Steady Teddy Wins the race
Bridgewater’s poise is something the team has been missing since Peyton Manning. Even when Lock is at his best, he does not give off a “calm” vibe.
The team could rally around the quarterback who is in control and maintain his eyes downfield.
In this play, Bridgewater can buy some time and hit wide receiver Curtis Samuel for a nice gain. It is important to note the time Bridgewater buys and how he remains within himself while doing so.
Samuel is given enough time to change direction and Bridgewater makes the play before being hit by Sheldon Rankins the Saints defensive tackle. This play helped keep the Panthers on schedule and pick up a crucial first down.
https://youtu.be/bxXd4P3yUwY
Against the Atlanta Falcons Bridgewater makes a similar play in the face of pressure. Here he hits Moore under duress for a 57-yard touchdown.