Vic Fangio pumps the brakes on Drew Lock as the future

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Drew Lock played a game for the ages on Sunday.

His 98.7 quarterback rating was the best for any quarterback in the NFL this season outside of Lamar Jackson. His first half was one out of John Elway’s book—posting the second-best first-half passer rating (157.8) by a Bronco since 1991 and the best since No. 7 posted a perfect rating in 1998. He also became the first rookie in NFL history to have 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in his first road start.

And he did all of this in just his second-career NFL game.

“I don’t put ceilings or floors on guys. They can go as high as they want, hopefully not too low,” Vic Fangio said on Monday when asked if the rookie’s exceeded his expectations.

“I do think he played much better yesterday than what he did the week before. I thought his passing was more accurate and crisp than what it was the week before. He made some plays with his legs, which was good. I think overall he’s had a good two-week start to his career.”

Good is a modest way to put it, but that’s just simply Vic being Vic. In his two games, Lock has completed 72.7 percent of his passes for 443 yards for five touchdowns and two interceptions for a 111.4 passer rating.

With three games left, and less than a one percent chance of making the playoffs, most of the attention in Broncos Country has turned to look at the future. And so far, Drew’s given plenty of hope for that outlook.

“It’s two games, who is long term right now?” Fangio said, dismissing what Sunday’s magnificent performance could mean for Drew’s future in Denver. “He’s doing good.”

When pressed further what Lock’s two games mean about his prospects for being the quarterback next year, Vic quickly shot back.

“He’s done well for two games. That’s about all it is.”

Ease off the gas, Broncos Country. It’s just been two—albeit “good”—games, according to the head coach who has over three decades of experience in the NFL.

So, how can Lock eliminate that hesitation and pause from his head coach? He just needs to keep being Drew.

“Hopefully more of the same,” Fangio said, responding to the jump, or lack of jump, Lock needs to take in his third start on Sunday against the Chiefs. “Maybe be clean, not throw a pick this game.”

Although Fangio didn’t want to crown Lock as the guy moving forward past this season, it certainly doesn’t mean the rookie quarterback hasn’t shown the potential the Broncos were hoping to see.

“He’s just progressing the way we had hoped,” Fangio said, throwing the rookie a bone. “Better in Week 2 than he was in Week 1. I thought he felt comfortable out there. I think it was good that we got him his first start at home, so when he got his first start on the road, it wasn’t his overall first start. We’ve got to go play another really good team this week, he’s going to have to deal with the hometown stuff that you guys and they will want to talk about. I feel good where he’s at.”

On Sunday, back in his hometown playing against the team he cheered for growing up, Lock has the opportunity to become the first Broncos rookie quarterback to win his first three starts. He would also snap Denver’s eight-game losing streak against the Chiefs and deliver the team its first win in Kansas City in over four years.

No. 3’s third-career start could go a long way in changing Vic’s mind. But for now, it’s wait and see.