The Denver Broncos won't be having an open competition for quarterback, according to team general manager John Elway. The Super Bowl winning former quarterback told TMZ that “Flacco's the guy,” while walking to his car.
Denver traded for Flacco in February, sending a fourth round pick to the Baltimore Ravens, who have found their quarterback of the future in Lamar Jackson. Flacco will be making $18.5 million this year to start over second round selection Drew Lock. Last year, in nine starts Flacco threw for 2,465 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions before going down with a hip injury.
Of Lock, Elway said, “He's a young guy. He's got a great future.”
Lock was selected with the 42nd overall pick in this spring's draft.
Since Peyton Manning's retirement in 2015, Elway hasn't been able to find his replacement. In 2016 and 2017, he turned to a combination of Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Brock Osweiler, before signing Case Keenum and subsequently trading him to Washington. In 16 starts with the Broncos, Keenum threw for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a league-high 15 interceptions.
Elway said that he believes Flacco can do the same thing for the Broncos as Manning did, bring them a Super Bowl. Regardless of that fact, Flacco will be under contract with Denver through the 2021 season, making an average of $22,250,000 a season. The question that remains is if Flacco struggles, how long do you wait to see what Lock can do?
At 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, Lock certainly fits the mold for quarterbacks Elway likes. Namely ones that look like him—Elway is 6-foot-3—and have a strong arm with a quick release. Lock has his own share of issues, he sometimes struggles with accuracy and touch, but if Flacco doesn't find a solution to his interception problem in the high altitude of Denver, then it won't be long before fans start chanting for Lock.
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