The Broncos QB plan should model the one the Dolphins used in 2020

The “50-50” quarterback battle between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater has been agonizing. But at long last, the charade should be coming to an end. Both Lock and Bridgewater have started a preseason game, and Vic Fangio will likely decide soon which signal caller will determine his future as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

The choice he makes will speak volumes about where things currently stand inside UCHealth Training Center, but the reality is that it may not matter all that much because both quarterbacks will likely see the field this season.

Lock and Bridgewater have both struggled to stay healthy for a full 16-game season, let alone 17 games. Couple that with the fact that neither quarterback has been able to generate a convincing lead over the other this offseason, and it’s reasonable to assume that whichever guy grabs ahold of the starting job may not have a strong grip on it.

And while that idea may seem like a negative on the surface, I see it as an opportunity for the Broncos to think outside the box, and perhaps win a few more games in the process.

The Miami Dolphins implemented a similar approach last season, and fell just short of a playoff berth. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the gold standard for journeyman quarterbacks, began the season as the starter, before the reigns were eventually turned over to rookie first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa.

That type of succession plan has been seen in the NFL for decades, but rarely do you see the veteran re-inserted into the starting lineup on a week-to-week basis.

Miami was criticized heavily for it at the time but, to their credit, it went off without a hitch. Fitzpatrick started the first six games, guiding the team to a 3-3 record before being replaced. At the time, the decision to pull Fitzpatrick felt awkward and forced but, armed with a top-tier defense, solid protection and a competent run game, Tua started his NFL career with three-consecutive victories.

It wasn’t until the Dolphins came to Denver that things truly got interesting. Tagovailoa was completely overwhelmed, taking six sacks and finishing with just 11 completions for 83 yards and an interception.

Tagovailoa was pulled from the game in the second half, providing Fitzpatrick to attempt a comeback in the final minutes before falling just short. Fitzpatrick started the following week against the Jets and guided them to a convincing victory.

Then, Tagovailoa was named the starter the following week against Cincinnati and led the team to a 12-point victory.

In hindsight, the strategy appeared to be a perfect blend of situational game planning and a willingness to ride the hot hand, even on a week-to-week basis.

On paper, the 2021 Broncos are built strikingly similar to the 2020 Dolphins. They spared no expense on the defensive side of the ball and, as a result, appear to have a top-tier unit at Fangio’s disposal.

They also have the makings of an explosive run game, led by Melvin Gordon and rookie-second round pick Javonte Williams, who has strung together an impressive offseason.

Given those similarities, and the fact that Lock and Bridgewater have failed to create significant separation from one another, what is stopping the Broncos from implementing a similar strategy?

Fangio is the odds-on favorite to be the first head coach fired this season, so his seat has arguably never been hotter. Even with a soft start to the schedule, he cannot afford to concede even a single game, and will likely approach this season one week at a time.

If that’s indeed the lens the team will be looking through this season, they would be wise to learn from what the Dolphins did and keep an open mind about who starts under center week in, week out.

Because at that point, nothing matters beyond the 2021 season. Who starts in 2022 or is better for the long-term future of the organization is irrelevant if it’s all about winning now, which for Fangio, it most certainly is.

In a perfect world, the winner of the quarterback battle dominates the regular season and leaves no doubt about who should be commanding the huddle. But we don’t live in a perfect world, and when a team has struggled to identify their quarterback as much as the Broncos have, nothing should be off the table.