New Broncos QB Bridgewater excited to 'come in, compete, and lead'
The Denver Broncos added veteran competition at the quarterback position this offseason in the form of Teddy Bridgewater.
The Broncos acquired the six-year pro for a sixth-round pick the night prior to the NFL draft. Bridgewater will now go head-to-head with Drew Lock for the starter's job in Denver entering the 2021 season.
"I was very excited," Bridgewater said about the trade, according to Ben Swanson of DenverBroncos.com.
"It's a talented football team, and it has so many pieces. I'm just glad to be a part of what they're doing around here and what we're trying to build here. It's a great, unique opportunity for me to come in and compete and lead at the same time. I'm just grateful for this opportunity."
Bridgewater joins the Broncos after one year as the Carolina Panthers' starter. In 2020, he made 15 starts and completed 69% of his passes for 3,733 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Panthers started the year strong out of the gate but finished 4-11. Bridgewater has also suited up for the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints over his career.
Lock completed 57% of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 13 starts in his first full season as Denver's starter last year.
The poor performance led the Broncos to seek out proven competition for their third-year quarterback.
"Competition makes us all better as human beings," Bridgewater said. "In the end, you look back, and you realize you form relationships and bonds with different guys through competition. You learn a lot about the guy you're competing against, the guy you're competing with.
"So I'm looking forward to this opportunity, making the best of it and just going out there and taking it one day at a time."