Broncos Country remains on the verge of its seat in anticipation that the Houston Texans will eventually make dissatisfied Deshaun Watson dissatisfied via trade. At this point, the new Nick GM, Caserio, Houston GM has maintained his position that the Texans are not interested in trading Watson, even if it means veteran QB will follow his threat to put out the 2021 season.
But that hasn’t stopped Vegas from betting on Watson’s next NFL destination. FanDuel recently installed the Broncos with the best chance of landing the three-time Pro Bowler.
Meanwhile, what does all this media and fan speculation, combined with the open involvement of the new Denver Broncos GM George Paton in the QB trading market, mean for Drew Lock? Lock started a second season in which he started 13 games 4-9, while completing a meager 57.3% of his passes on his way to catching the league in the interception (tied with Carson Wentz at 15).
For what it’s worth, although Lock did throw a lot of choices, his TD-to-INT ratio was still plus-1 at 16 to 15. He finished the season with 2,933 passing yards and an additional three quick assessments clipped. Lock was responsible for 19 total touchdowns, while also being responsible for three lost fumbles, bringing the TD-to-Giveaway ratio to 19-to-18 – still plus-1.
Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons spoke last week during the Twitch live version of the Watson vs. Lock issue weighed in which he asked questions of his audience.
“We just have to see what happens, man,” Simmons said. “I like Drew … I think if someone adds someone like Deshaun Watson, you’re automatically competitors, are not you? That man is a general[ational]—He is a wonderful talent. That being said, I also like Drew and I think he’s going to be great as the years go by. ‘
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Lock was put in a difficult situation. It’s undoubtedly hard enough to hear, read, read all the speculation in the media and in the fanbase, but he’s also seen more than one teammate Watson openly advocate for and / or recruit for Denver.
When Lock has an NFL stroke, he pulls all the naye and negativity up like water from a duck’s back. If he is not equal to his chances as an NFL QB, it could be an albatross around his neck dragging him (enough with the bird metaphors).
Only time will tell. For now, however, Watson Watch remains unchanged. Houston maintained its reluctant position, while Lock had a bit of a buzz to stay at the Broncos headquarters in Denver and work hard to attack early in the off-season.
The new league year opens on March 17, which is when the free agent’s bell will ring, although the legal tampering period opens two days in advance. Simmons’ fate could be decided by now if the Broncos negotiate a long-term extension early or concentrate for the second year in a row.
If one of these possibilities is ruled out, Simmons will be able to hit the open water of unlimited free agencies and be able to negotiate with outside teams from March 15. If that happens, the likelihood of the Broncos signing him again is slim.
As for the QB situation, there could soon be an additional context for the Broncos future, even if Watson Watch remains unchanged, if Paton signs a veteran like an Andy Dalton, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Cam Newton. This seems to be the most likely given, given the ransom of the king that Houston will claim if it turns around and meets Watson’s demands.
If Paton is all about ‘concept and development’ and drafting concepts, as he was philosophical during his hello-presser during January, he held it back for another year with Lock and kept all the choices to fill Denver’s gaping grid holes, while he hopes the backup years in Pat Shurmur’s offensive system will pay dividends for Lock, it seems the most likely way of action.