The Broncos named Teddy Bridgewater their starter over Drew Lock last week. As Ian pointed out, Bridgewater has been way more accurate than Lock, so in that sense it's a plus for the team and the passing game. When it comes to finishing drives with touchdown passes, though, it's disappointing for Denver receivers.
This is not a recent development. Bridgewater has appeared in 59 career games, with 49 starts, and thrown all of 53 touchdown passes. Twice in his career, including last year, he's started almost the entire season (14-plus games) and averaged just 1 or fewer touchdown passes. That's happened 53 times this century (2-3 times per year), and Bridgewater has two of those seasons.
QBS AVERAGING 0-1 TD PASSES, 2000-PRESENT (14-PLUS STARTS) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | St | Com | Att | Yds | TD | Int | TD/St |
2020 | Teddy Bridgewater, Car. | 15 | 340 | 492 | 3733 | 15 | 11 | 1.0 |
2017 | Tyrod Taylor, Buff. | 14 | 263 | 420 | 2799 | 14 | 4 | 1.0 |
2016 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 16 | 379 | 607 | 3782 | 16 | 14 | 1.0 |
2016 | Alex Smith, K.C. | 15 | 328 | 489 | 3502 | 15 | 8 | 1.0 |
2011 | Tarvaris Jackson, Sea. | 14 | 271 | 450 | 3091 | 14 | 13 | 1.0 |
2008 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 16 | 265 | 434 | 3440 | 16 | 11 | 1.0 |
2006 | Alex Smith, S.F. | 16 | 257 | 442 | 2890 | 16 | 16 | 1.0 |
2006 | Steve McNair, Balt. | 16 | 295 | 468 | 3050 | 16 | 12 | 1.0 |
2005 | Michael Vick, Atl. | 15 | 214 | 387 | 2412 | 15 | 13 | 1.0 |
2004 | David Carr, Hou. | 16 | 285 | 466 | 3531 | 16 | 14 | 1.0 |
2003 | Donovan McNabb, Phil. | 16 | 275 | 478 | 3216 | 16 | 11 | 1.0 |
2000 | Steve McNair, Ten. | 15 | 248 | 396 | 2847 | 15 | 13 | 1.0 |
2009 | David Garrard, Jac. | 16 | 314 | 516 | 3597 | 15 | 10 | 0.9 |
2008 | David Garrard, Jac. | 16 | 335 | 535 | 3620 | 15 | 13 | 0.9 |
2008 | Jake Delhomme, Car. | 16 | 246 | 414 | 3288 | 15 | 12 | 0.9 |
2001 | Doug Flutie, S.D. | 16 | 294 | 521 | 3464 | 15 | 18 | 0.9 |
2001 | Vinny Testaverde, NYJ | 16 | 260 | 441 | 2752 | 15 | 14 | 0.9 |
2012 | Brandon Weeden, Cle. | 15 | 297 | 517 | 3385 | 14 | 17 | 0.9 |
2004 | Michael Vick, Atl. | 15 | 181 | 321 | 2313 | 14 | 12 | 0.9 |
2000 | Jay Fiedler, Mia. | 15 | 204 | 357 | 2402 | 14 | 14 | 0.9 |
2000 | Jake Plummer, Ariz. | 14 | 270 | 475 | 2946 | 13 | 21 | 0.9 |
2015 | Teddy Bridgewater, Min. | 16 | 292 | 447 | 3231 | 14 | 9 | 0.9 |
2008 | Joe Flacco, Balt. | 16 | 257 | 428 | 2971 | 14 | 12 | 0.9 |
2005 | David Carr, Hou. | 16 | 256 | 423 | 2488 | 14 | 11 | 0.9 |
2001 | Kordell Stewart, Pitt. | 16 | 266 | 442 | 3109 | 14 | 11 | 0.9 |
2017 | Marcus Mariota, Ten. | 15 | 281 | 453 | 3232 | 13 | 15 | 0.9 |
2017 | Jacoby Brissett, Ind. | 15 | 276 | 469 | 3098 | 13 | 7 | 0.9 |
2012 | Mark Sanchez, NYJ | 15 | 246 | 453 | 2883 | 13 | 18 | 0.9 |
2008 | JaMarcus Russell, Oak. | 15 | 198 | 368 | 2423 | 13 | 8 | 0.9 |
2000 | Charlie Batch, Det. | 15 | 221 | 412 | 2489 | 13 | 15 | 0.9 |
2011 | Blaine Gabbert, Jac. | 14 | 210 | 413 | 2214 | 12 | 11 | 0.9 |
2010 | Matt Hasselbeck, Sea. | 14 | 266 | 444 | 3001 | 12 | 17 | 0.9 |
2008 | Jason Campbell, Was. | 16 | 315 | 506 | 3245 | 13 | 6 | 0.8 |
2004 | Kyle Boller, Balt. | 16 | 258 | 464 | 2559 | 13 | 11 | 0.8 |
2001 | Brad Johnson, T.B. | 16 | 340 | 559 | 3406 | 13 | 11 | 0.8 |
2009 | Mark Sanchez, NYJ | 15 | 196 | 364 | 2444 | 12 | 20 | 0.8 |
2008 | Kerry Collins, Ten. | 15 | 242 | 415 | 2676 | 12 | 7 | 0.8 |
2001 | Jon Kitna, Cin. | 15 | 313 | 581 | 3216 | 12 | 22 | 0.8 |
2020 | Daniel Jones, NYG | 14 | 280 | 448 | 2943 | 11 | 10 | 0.8 |
2008 | Trent Edwards, Buff. | 14 | 245 | 374 | 2699 | 11 | 10 | 0.8 |
2013 | Geno Smith, NYJ | 16 | 247 | 443 | 3046 | 12 | 21 | 0.8 |
2012 | Ryan Tannehill, Mia. | 16 | 282 | 484 | 3294 | 12 | 13 | 0.8 |
2017 | DeShone Kizer, Cle. | 15 | 255 | 476 | 2894 | 11 | 22 | 0.7 |
2008 | Marc Bulger, St.L. | 15 | 251 | 440 | 2720 | 11 | 13 | 0.7 |
2001 | Chris Weinke, Car. | 15 | 293 | 540 | 2931 | 11 | 19 | 0.7 |
2001 | Tony Banks, Was. | 14 | 198 | 370 | 2386 | 10 | 10 | 0.7 |
2006 | David Carr, Hou. | 16 | 302 | 442 | 2767 | 11 | 12 | 0.7 |
2003 | Drew Bledsoe, Buff. | 16 | 274 | 471 | 2860 | 11 | 12 | 0.7 |
2006 | Brad Johnson, Min. | 14 | 270 | 439 | 2750 | 9 | 15 | 0.6 |
2007 | Vince Young, Ten. | 15 | 238 | 382 | 2546 | 9 | 17 | 0.6 |
2005 | Kyle Orton, Chi. | 15 | 190 | 368 | 1869 | 9 | 13 | 0.6 |
2002 | David Carr, Hou. | 16 | 233 | 444 | 2592 | 9 | 15 | 0.6 |
2020 | Cam Newton, N.E. | 15 | 242 | 368 | 2657 | 8 | 10 | 0.5 |
Three quarterbacks did it in 2020 (those players are in bold). The Giants will give Daniel Jones another year in the lineup, but Newton isn't certain to start for the Patriots this season (not for long even if he opens as the No. 1).
Denver's opening schedule looks favorable, with the Giants, Jaguars and Jets the first three games. The Broncos defense is such that they might be able to win those without Bridgewater doing much. But I think there will come some games where they need a little more upside (while accepting more risk) out of their quarterback, at which point Lock will get another shot.
--Andy Richardson