What does it mean if the Broncos don’t play Drew Lock in 2019?

Vic Fangio dropped a proverbial bomb today when asked if it was vitally important to get rookie quarterback Drew Lock playing time this season.

“I don’t think it’s vitally important. I can remember back in the strike year. Some of you weren’t born then (banter with reporters). Then another year—might not have been the strike year and a few years later. Anyway, we played a young quarterback in New Orleans for about three games and he did pretty damn good. Then [former NFL QB] Bobby Hebert held out the next year. He was part of that class action lawsuit that the players won free agency with, missed a whole season. We took the attitude, the franchise, that we got this guy to play pretty good for three games. [It] didn’t work out that way. I think with a young guy in limited reps it can be good. You can get a false positive. You can get a false negative. You need a whole body of work to—and that body of work includes offseason and training camp buildup. I’m not putting any limits on him if he does get in there, but I would be reluctant to make final conclusions.”

Alarm bells went off throughout Broncos Country about whether:

• Drew Lock is another Paxton Lynch
• Elway wasted another draft pick.
• The coaching staff is mishandling the rookie.

In reality, it could mean very little. Brandon Allen is the Broncos starting quarterback against the Buffalo Bills. Vic Fangio could be showing a little faith in his young passer set to make his third start and preventing him from facing an entire week as to what his last start in 2019 could mean. Keep in mind that Allen had Denver one uncalled facemask away from upsetting the 8-3 Minnesota Vikings.

There could also be some degree of a plan to redshirt the 2019 second round pick at play here as well. I’ve mentioned a couple different times that I believed since April that he would need a season on the bench to refine his base and mechanics before having a real shot to reach his potential. With him on his second week back to practice since missing two months due to injury, that may now be the plan with Allen acting as the new bridge.

Lastly, there does remain some possibility that the Broncos have seen enough to believe Lock is not going to wind up as the answer under center. I would consider this a remote chance, but it does exist.

I did not believe Drew Lock would play before this week or even week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, so it’s hardly time to panic just yet. It’s completely fair to want to see the potential future in what looks like another lost year, but the coaching staff is already getting a look at what he can do behind the scenes and as Fangio alludes to in his answer today: five games vs four vs three vs zero isn’t necessarily going to prove he’s the guy going forward regardless.

The last thing the Broncos need is for him to get rushed into action too soon, and look hapless. Remember how the coaching staff showed patience with Alexander Johnson, sitting him for four games behind a recently signed free agent. Now keep in mind he was a linebacker who showed out in the preseason while Lock was a rookie who had a couple flashes mixed with gaffes before bowing out due to injury.

We’ll get some clarity on how the coaching staff and front office view the Missouri Tiger in the coming weeks and months. If he winds up back on injured reserve, I’d consider a 2020 passer all but locked in. If he doesn’t play a down, it’s definitely likely. Even if he comes in, it remains on the table.

So if Lock can’t really provide real clarity in the here and now, wouldn’t it make sense to do everything possible to keep playing the best players and build a little positive chemistry in a young locker room?

Your Broncos Links

Injury report: Six Broncos sit out practice - Mile High Report

The Broncos offensive line is banged up with a total of three starters listed on the injury report. Two of them listed as “DNP’s” ahead of a tough matchup on the road against a good defense. If the Broncos want success against Buffalo, they will need Risner and McGovern to return to practice in some fashion on Thursday.

Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings: The No Bull Review - Mile High Report

The Denver Broncos put up a valiant effort against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough. Here are my thoughts, opinions, and analysis on the game and maybe a little sunshine for Broncos Country.

Does anyone know what Pass Interference is now in the NFL? - Mile High Report

Most football fans had a good idea of what pass interference was last year, but now, it is confusing at best...and the NFL is a lesser product because of it.

What if Broncos had scored in the last drive to beat the Vikings? - Mile High Report

For Ben Allbright on Broncos Country Tonight, losing a close game and showing a lot of potential may just be the best-case scenario for the Broncos right now.

Six Broncos defenders played 100 percent of the snaps - Mile High Report

That is a lot of playing time.

3 NFL Franchises In Need Of New Management Doomed Not To Get It | The Draft Network

General managers don’t typically get two cracks at head coaches or two cracks at quarterbacks. Elway has gotten two cracks at both in the last four years. Turns out being a Super Bowl winning quarterback can buy you a lot of wiggle room as an executive.

NFL Draft Links

NFL Comparisons for 2020 Wide Receivers | The Draft Network

We are inching closer and closer to the end of the calendar year, which means one thing -- there are some fanbases who have come to the reality that their team isn’t making the playoffs, while some others are still in the hunt

2020 NFL mock draft: Updated 3-round projections after Week 11

Denver Broncos | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn Offensive tackle is the bigger need, but the talent is too good to pass up elsewhere. Brown is a rare athlete for his size, with the explosiveness and power to be a dominant force up front. He’d be a much better use of a top-10 pick than reaching for he next-best tackle.

NFL Links

Buffalo Bills injury report: Ty Nsekhe is “week-to-week” - Buffalo Rumblings

Cody Ford will take over as the full-time right tackle for the first time in his career. Fellow rookie Ryan Bates is the most likely candidate to act as the backup swing tackle moving forward, unless the Bills sign a veteran in the next day or two.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week - Buffalo Rumblings

Allen honored after matching career-high with three passing TDs in 37-20 win over Miami

Matthew Stafford wants to return this year, no matter the standings – ProFootballTalk

Matthew Stafford missed practice again Wednesday, putting him in line to miss a third consecutive game. The Lions quarterback fractured bones in his back late in the team’s Week Nine loss to the Raiders.

Mike Mayock’s Debut Draft Class Is Already Transforming the Raiders - The Ringer

From Josh Jacobs to Maxx Crosby, nearly all of Oakland’s rookies are producing. The youngsters have helped propel the team to a 6-4 record, and now Jon Gruden’s squad is the most surprising playoff contender of the year.

Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, and the Best NFL MVP Chase in Decades - The Ringer

The criterion for winning football’s highest individual honor is predictable at this point: Be one of the best QBs in the league on a playoff team. That remains true in 2019, but players like Jackson and Wilson are teaching us so much more about what value means in the modern NFL.

Next Gen Stats: Key figures shaping the MVP race | NFL.com

We’re taking a different approach with the Next Gen Stats photo essay this week, looking at the MVP race from a NGS perspective.