From answering questions to guiding Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater truly earned the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award

This is not how the Broncos or Teddy Bridgewater wanted the season to wind up: on injured reserve, with what is left of an injury-shredded roster playing out the string against a Kansas City Chiefs team still shooting for the AFC’s top seed.

But it says a lot about his impact on the team and those in its orbit that he became the first offensive player to ever earn the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award, which was given to him Thursday.

The honor is awarded by the reporters who cover the Broncos to a player who best exemplifies the honesty, enthusiasm and cooperation with the media that Williams displayed in his two seasons as a Bronco before his untimely death on Jan. 1, 2007.

Until this season, it had always gone to a defensive player. To some degree, this was a coincidence. But over many of those years, the offensive line was known for saying little on the record, a tradition that dated back to the 1990s, when Gary Zimmerman led a group coached by the late Alex Gibbs. Eventually, the line would designate one of its members as a spokesman. But considering that at least 45 percent of the players on the field for the offense are linemen, well, it cut the offense’s pool a bit.

Justin Simmons, who won the inaugural Demaryius Thomas Team MVP that was awarded Thursday, is a three-time winner of the Williams Good Guy Award — 2017, 2019 and 2020. Chris Harris Jr. is a two-time winner. Among the 10 other winners are two Pro Football Hall of Famers: John Lynch and Champ Bailey; at some point in the future when DeMarcus Ware dons a gold jacket, he will become the third.

In Broncos Country, it’s an honor that matters.

One of the moments where Bridgewater earned it was the day after the Broncos’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, when he absorbed a fusillade of criticism over pulling up rather than attempting to make a tackle on a Darius Slay fumble return. Bridgewater apologized to his teammates — and then went on a Zoom call and patiently answered every question with similar self-reflection.

It’s easy to be a Good Guy when things are going well. Bridgewater demonstrated those qualities when things weren’t.

“I appreciate it, man. It’s a huge honor,” Bridgewater said. “[It’s about] just being accountable, holding yourself accountable, and holding your teammates accountable. It goes a long way. I’m honored to receive this award.

“I’m glad that I was able to relay the message from the team to the fans and across the organization each week.”

At best, Bridgewater’s status for returning to the Broncos in 2022 is in flux. The team is expected to explore avenues for acquiring a top-tier passer, should one become available via trade.

But he leaves the 2021 season with a cherished award, a career single-season high in touchdown passes and the Broncos’ best season-long passer rating for any primary starting quarterback since 2014 — Peyton Manning’s penultimate season before retirement.

“I’ve enjoyed everything about this organization. It’s been first-class,” Bridgewater said. “It’s a true professional organization. They treat the guys like pros. I have appreciated every day, every opportunity, every moment that I’ve had here. It’s been a breath of fresh air this entire season. I’ve had a number of reasons to smile, and I’m just thankful that I had this opportunity.

Bridgewater threw 2.57 touchdown passes for every one interception this year. All other Broncos quarterbacks since 2016 have combined for 97 touchdowns and 83 interceptions — a team-wide ratio that, without Bridgewater, would be better than only the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets in that span.

But his primary contribution was his impact on others — including the man with whom he competed for the starting job last summer, Drew Lock.

After Lock assumed the reins in the wake of Bridgewater’s season-ending concussion, the elder quarterback texted his understudy, continuing to offer the type of counsel he shared throughout the season.

Bridgewater hasn’t been able to watch the last two games in person, owing to the concussion protocol. But he will be on the sidelines Saturday.

So far, Bridgewater likes what he sees.

“I think Drew has found that love for the game again,” Bridgewater said. “Often times, I was in the same situation before, where it took for me to not be starting, for me to find that love and that joy for the game again. We’ve talked and that’s just been the theme of our conversations. He’s having fun out there. You love to see it.

“He’s matured in so many ways. You’re seeing him protecting the ball and things like that. So, I’m excited that all of his hard work throughout this year is finally on display and he’s going out there and getting a chance to compete.”

Lock has spoken of how Bridgewater has taught him good habits in the meeting room, for extra work after practice and how to study and process. Bridgewater made time for Lock, and the third-year quarterback’s improved form is in part due to the eight-season veteran looking out for him.

That’s the sort of thing a Good Guy does.