Broncos Country should hope Denver inks Lock to Mahomes-like deal
Jul 9, 2020, 7:20 AM
This week, Kansas City Chiefs superstar and reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes signed one of the richest contracts in American sports history — a 10-year deal worth a reported $450 million.
And though you might ask why, this is the type of deal Broncos Country should hope for regarding Denver’s own young quarterback: Drew Lock.
If Lock ends up on the receiving end of an extension like Mahomes’, it means general manager John Elway has found the organization’s next franchise quarterback. Elway would have created a legacy as GM that includes signing the greatest free agent of all time — Peyton Manning — and finding a gem in Lock.
In order for Lock, a second-round pick, to get a contract like that, he needs to prove he can get the Broncos back to the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50 and compete within the AFC West. It’s a start, at least, for Lock and proves Denver can compete with Kansas City for the division.
If Denver’s young QB can lock down that type of contract, it would also set up the Broncos moving forward with the salary cap.
Mahomes’ extension is a team-friendly deal that will help the Chiefs with the salary cap moving forward. Kansas City will have a chance to keep and sign a number of big contracts while still paying Mahomes for the next 12 years.
Denver could give Lock an extension after next season, which would be reasonable. They could also just go ahead and start negotiations with Bradley Chubb and, possibly, Noah Fant.
Just imagine: Lock, Chubb and Fant together on long-term deals with money to spare?
It all comes down to how well Lock plays this season. After his 4-1 record last to finish 2019, Lock has proven that he deserves to start every game in 2020.
It’s simple. If Lock gets the team to the playoffs this season, Denver starts talking about an extension to set up the Broncos for the future.
If Lock doesn’t show that he’s the guy, it’s time for the Broncos to make major changes in 2021.
