For the first time, there’s real smoke around Drew Lock starting on Sunday

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos are quarterback-less.

For the first time since the Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch days, the Broncos do not know who their starting quarterback will be at the start of game week.

After Brandon Allen threw for a mere 82 yards on Sunday in a loss, where the offense put up three total points, Vic Fangio was noncommittal on Monday on who Denver’s starting quarterback will be on Sunday against the Chargers.

One of their options is Drew Lock.

“As far as this week goes, all options are on the table. We could activate [Lock]. We’re just going to make those decisions in the next few days,” Fangio announced. “We don’t have to make a declaration on him until [next] Tuesday, I believe.”

The second-round rookie could “possibly” be Denver’s starting quarterback on Sunday, too, although Fangio didn’t know when the decision will be made.

This is the first time Drew Lock has been considered to be the Broncos’ starting quarterback since he was taken with the 42nd overall pick in April.

In order for No. 3 to make the jump to No. 1 on the depth chart by Sunday, Fangio just needs to see that Lock’s okay.

“Well, just see some more practice,” Fangio stated. “Just to make sure he’s okay—physically, which he is, and he’s prepared mentally and emotionally to go out there and play.”

The problem is practices this time of year are significantly shorter and have fewer reps than the practices during training camp. Instead of upwards of 80 plays, like there was in camp, the team is only running 40 plays per practice at this point in the season.

Yet despite that, the three practices this week could be enough for the Broncos to make the switch and start the rookie.

“The more reps you get—every rep is one that you got put in the bank. It always helps,” Fangio said. “There are limited opportunities for that, but I do think every rep is important.”

If Lock’s number isn’t called this week, it would be due to the lack of practices he’s had. Lock wasn’t able to practice from the time he injured his thumb in August until Nov. 12.

But in the two weeks he’s been back on the practice field, Lock’s already showed the coaching staff he’s taken positive strides.

“I’ve seen a little bit of a jump in comfortability,” Fangio said, giving hope that Lock’s taken the necessary leaps to be the starter. “I think he learned a lot from the sideline about how to handle certain things—handling the huddle, calling plays. I do think he got a better understanding, albeit from the sidelines.”

Sunday’s game is the Broncos’ lone home game in a five-week stretch. Fangio said that’s something he and the team consider when making the decision, but it’s not the “ultimate decider” because “eventually you got to play a road game.”

If the Broncos do make the switch to Drew, Rich Scangarello’s offense will be tailored to Lock’s’ strengths.

“You always have to do that anytime you’re going with a new player, particularly a quarterback,” Fangio stated. “Call and play what you feel the guy is comfortable executing.”

With the team sitting at 3-8 and Allen coming off a forgettable game, there’s no question who the fans want to see on Sunday. However, Fangio won’t base his decision on the outside noise.

“I think we need to make the decision that we feel is best, understanding everybody’s wants from your group and the group outside, but we need to make the decision that we feel is best for Drew and the team and at that time we will,” Fangio stated, unfazed by the peppering of questions surrounding the quarterback currently not on the 53-man roster.

Drew Lock wasn’t named the Broncos’ starting quarterback on Monday. But with Vic leaving the door open, that spoke volumes to what’s to come. Fangio will next address the media on Wednesday before the team has its first practice of the week.