BRONCOS

Fangio should take cue from Bridgewater and pull the thumb

Oct 17, 2021, 10:18 PM | Updated: Oct 18, 2021, 6:35 am

When you get a chance, take note of how Teddy Bridgewater starts off his press conferences.

The Denver Broncos quarterback usually makes an opening statement, often a quick summation of the day’s events — and often with a positive spin.

After Sunday’s embarrassing 34-24 loss at home to the Las Vegas Raiders, there wasn’t much positivity to spin.

But a battered and bruised Bridgewater, showing the effects of being roughed up by the Raiders all game, did something all of Broncos Country should find impressive.

Before any media member had a chance to ask a question during his postgame press conference, Bridgewater put the loss Sunday squarely on his shoulders.

“I always tell the guys that when you win, you point the finger at your teammates, and when you lose, you’re pointing the thumb at yourself,” Bridgewater said. “Today was one of those days where I’m definitely pointing the thumb at myself. I take accountability, responsibility for just a lot of things that went wrong, whether it was turnovers — we could have been better in many areas.”

Sure, it’s a common sentiment around the NFL, but Bridgewater’s accountability is refreshing, especially in the wake of his head coach’s lack thereof.

Vic Fangio, after the game, on what happened in the loss:

“We didn’t play well enough, obviously. I think it came down to the deep balls on both sides of the ball. We had our chances to make some, particularly in the first half, and then we didn’t. We came close. When they had their chances to make them, they made them. We’ll work hard to get that rectified.”

We didn’t play well. We had our chances. We’ll work hard.

In that answer, and throughout Fangio’s postgame remarks, you find a lot of “we” and not a lot of self-reflection on the part of the Broncos head coach.

Yes, Bridgewater didn’t have the best day Sunday. And is he the future for the Broncos? Who knows?

But he was far from the reason the Broncos got stomped at home … to their rival … whose head coach was fired mid-week … and who promoted an interim coach with literally zero head coaching experience.

When you lose to a team like that, it’s on the head coach. But the first thing out of Bridgewater’s mouth after the game was accountability.

I’m pointing the thumb at myself. I take accountability.

Who knows how long Fangio will be in a position to “pull the thumb” as the Broncos head coach, but as long as he’s still got a job, maybe he should take some cues from his starting quarterback.

Broncos

Drake Maye Broncos QB...

Andrew Mason

Broncos have George Paton, QB coach at Drake Maye Pro Day

QB prospect Drake Maye had his Pro Day workout on March 28, and Broncos GM George Paton was among those on hand.

1 hour ago

Jayden Daniels...

Cecil Lammey

How much interest do the Broncos have in LSU QB Jayden Daniels?

The Denver Broncos have interest in LSU QB Jayden Daniels, but how realistic is getting him in the 2024 NFL Draft? Watch Orange and Blue Today with Cecil Lammey and Andrew Mason! Follow @CecilLammey

21 hours ago

Drake Maye Broncos QB...

Will Petersen

Report: Broncos attending two more QB Pro Days on Thursday

Mike Klis says the Broncos will have representatives at the Pro Days of former UNC QB Drake Maye and Washington QB Michael Penix Jr

1 day ago

Josh Reynolds...

Jake Shapiro

Broncos make significant free agent splash at WR, leaving questions

The Denver Broncos are adding a proven weapon to Sean Payton's offense, signing former Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds

1 day ago

J.J. McCarthy Broncos mock draft...

Will Petersen

ESPN’s latest mock draft has Broncos trading to No. 4 overall

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said it's realistic for Denver to move up; Matt Miller is projecting that as reality in his new mock draft

1 day ago

Jayden Daniels...

Andrew Mason

Broncos visiting with LSU QB Jayden Daniels after his Pro Day

Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels will meet with six teams at his Pro Day on Wednesday, including the Denver Broncos.

1 day ago

Fangio should take cue from Bridgewater and pull the thumb