HOFer Shannon Sharpe has all positive reactions to Teddy Bridgewater being assigned QB1.
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In April of 2021, the Denver Broncos traded for QB Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They also have Drew Lock, whom they selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The two were engaged in an intense QB battle all preseason. After two weeks of judgment, HC Vic Fangio had seen enough and announced that Bridgewater would be their starter.
Here’s how the QB battle panned out in the preseason games
In the first preseason game, a 33-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings, both the Denver QBs were outstanding. Lock went 5-for-7 for 151 yards and 2 TDs, including an 80-yard TD pass to KJ Hamler. Bridgewater went 7-for-8 for 74 yards and 1 TD. The battle was neck-and-neck.
In the second game, a 30-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks, they both balled out as well. Lock threw 9-for-14 for 80 yards and two TDs. Bridgewater threw 9-for-11 for 105 yards. In the end, there were fans on both sides of the fence, but the coaching staff evidently were confident enough about Bridgewater to hand him the reigns.
What does Teddy Bridgewater bring to the table?
Teddy Bridgewater brings a ton of experience along with him. He has been a starter for many successful teams, including the 11-5 Minnesota Vikings. They would have beaten the Seahawks in the wild-card round if not for a missed field goal. He also went undefeated in 5 games with the New Orleans Saints, when Drew Brees went down with an injury.
Even though Lock is a solid young QB, Bridgewater brings with him some intangibles that Lock doesn’t possess. He is going to serve as not just the quarterback, but also the leader in the locker room. He is someone the entire team is going to rally behind.
Bridgewater brings along playoff aspirations for the Broncos
Former Broncos TE turned sports pundit Shannon Sharpe believes that Teddy Bridgewater is capable enough of leading the Broncos to the playoffs. On the show Undisputed, which he hosts alongside Skip Bayless, Sharpe even predicts that the Broncos are going to end up with ten wins in the season, going 10-7.
He believes that the Broncos have a good enough defense and enough playmakers on offense. All Bridgewater has to do is not turn the ball over and the Broncos can be a real contender to make the playoffs. Sharpe believes that he will accomplish that.
After a disappointing season with the Carolina Panthers, Teddy Bridgewater looks to redeem himself on a team that has better pieces around to help him succeed. The only question is, can he do that? Or will the Broncos have to give Drew Lock another opportunity?
