Connor McGovern explains "what sets Joe Flacco apart"

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Joe Flacco. Drew Lock. Flacco. Lock. Flacco. Lock.

Outside of the UCHealth Training Center, it’s hard to hear Joe Flacco’s name without it quickly being followed by the team’s second-round pick, Drew Lock.

But inside the walls of the Broncos’ headquarters, it stops with Flacco, at least for now.

A major reason for that is the veteran quarterback possesses a trait that hasn’t been seen from a signal caller in Denver since Peyton Manning brought home the team’s third Lombardi Trophy.

“A lot of the quarterbacks have had a lot of great confidence, but Flacco’s confidence is the best there is,” starting center Connor McGovern said on Thursday, pointing to what makes the team’s new starting quarterback standout.

It only takes one conversation with Lock to understand he, too, isn’t lacking one ounce of confidence, either.

But it’s different with Flacco.

“He’s an MVP quarterback. He’s won Super Bowls. He’s been MVP [of a Super Bowl]. He knows what it takes to win at a high level. I think that’s the difference,” McGovern explained, speaking in general about what separates Flacco from all of the other quarterbacks that have filtered in and out of Denver since 2016.

In that time, the Broncos have attempted to fill the void left by No. 18 with the likes of Mark Sanchez, Paxton Lynch, Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Case Keenum.

Siemian led that group with 24 starts in Orange & Blue. Then he, along with a seventh-round pick were traded to Minnesota last offseason for merely a fifth-round pick.

“Trevor and all of them didn’t always win as many games, or they hadn’t been through those experiences, and I think that experience is a whole other level. That’s what really sets Joe apart,” McGovern said, trying his best not to put down his past quarterbacks down while propping up his new one. “Trevor and those guys, when they’re in the huddle, they had their chest held high, they were fully confident, fully believed in their ability. It’s just different when you have those Super Bowl MVP’s to really know truly what it takes. I think that’s where Joe really steps it up.”

Not only does Flacco bring a wealth of height—6-foot-6—and arm talent—a “hose,” as Lock called it—he brings a wealth of experience that other quarterbacks could only dream of—to the tune of 178 career starts, including 15 in the playoff.

While none of those starts have come as a Bronco, Flacco’s initial impression during OTAs has been a thing of beauty.

“He’s been looking great,” safety Kareem Jackson said on Thursday, giving an inside look into the team’s first week of practice.

BSN Denver took in every snap that was open to the media during the first week of OTAs and could only back Jackson’s assessment of the tall, big-armed quarterback. Flacco was confident and calm in the pocket while he made nearly the right read on every play.

But just like McGovern, Jackson’s been just as impressed with Flacco’s intangibles as he has with his initial stellar play.

“I mean, we all know he’s a capable quarterback. It’s year 12 for him. You’ve seen a lot of ball. He’s seen a ton of different defenses. The arm talent, he’s always had,” Jackson said without hesitation. “For me, I’m happy to have him in the locker room with us, leading the offensive guys and just being a leader for the rest of the guys.”

Outside of Dove Valley, there will be a constant debate about when the talented young Lock will overtake the seasoned Flacco. Inside the walls, however, there’s only one man on their mind.

“In his mind, and should be every Bronco player’s mind, he’s the good man for the job,” McGovern said confidently.