Why Drew Lock Might Be a Hidden Gem
Drew Lock. Remember him? The 26-year-old QB out of Missouri. As it stands, he’s the backup QB to Geno Smith, who had a phenomenal year in Seattle. Well, Drew Lock is set to hit the free market next season. Sure, the Seahawks could re-sign him. But let’s be honest. Drew Lock wants to play as he did during the 2020 season with the Denver Broncos. Now that Drew Lock has had time to perfect his game, he might be ready to take on a more prominent role.
Several teams may be interested in giving Lock a shot at the starting position. However, only one makes perfect sense, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their new offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, is likely already considering pursuing Lock. He would be a great fit, especially with Tom Brady now officially retired.
The Bucs have minimal cap space. Thankfully, Drew Lock shouldn’t cost too much coin. This would be ideal for the Bucs. At the very least, it gives Kyle Trask a bit of competition. In addition, TB is in a good spot to draft RB prospect Bijan Robinson out of Texas. Bijan has a huge upside and has the talent to be an elite NFL RB in the coming years. With Bijan and White in the backfield, this will relieve an immense amount of pressure for whoever ends up being under center. The Bucs are reportedly set to release veteran Leonard Fournette this offseason, giving them even more reason to draft Robinson as his replacement.
With a solid offensive line and an arsenal of weapons at the receiver position, Drew Lock would have the opportunity to thrive in Tampa Bay. With the coaching staff’s guidance, he could continue to develop into a top-tier quarterback. The Bucs have a winning culture and a talented roster, and adding Lock to the mix could make them even more formidable in the years to come. However, Tampa might decide to put all their chips on Trask. In my opinion, this would indicate the Bucs are looking to do a complete rebuild. Trask still has some developing to do and isn’t quite NFL-ready. But who knows? He might surprise us. If the Buccaneers can land a playoff spot in 2024, I’d consider that to be a great season, especially since many are speculating that this coming season will be a time for rebuilding the 2021 Super Bowl champs.
Furthermore, with the departure of Brady, the Bucs will need a quarterback who can lead the team and take control of the offense. Lock has shown flashes of potential in his career, and with the right coaching and system, he could become a reliable starting QB. However, it remains to be seen if the Bucs will prioritize bringing in a veteran quarterback or stick with Trask as their future signal-caller. Ultimately, it will come down to the team's evaluation of their current roster and their plans for the future. Either way, the Bucs will need to make some critical decisions in the offseason to maintain their status as one of the top teams in the league.
Drew Lock's future in the NFL is uncertain as he enters the free agency market. While several teams may be interested in giving him a shot at the starting position, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem like the most logical fit with their limited cap space and need for a reliable quarterback. Lock has the potential to thrive in Tampa Bay's system with their solid offensive line and talented roster of weapons. However, the team may also choose to prioritize their young quarterback, Trask, or go for a more veteran option, such as Brisset or Mayfield. No matter how it goes, this season will be one for the books!
