Broncos' QB competition between Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock could last all preseason?

The Denver Broncos are holding a quarterback competition between veteran Teddy Bridgewater and 2019 draft pick Drew Lock, and Denver wide receiver Jerry Jeudy told Jim Rome in late June that battle is "improving" both men pursuing the starting gig. 

According to James Palmer of NFL Network, head coach Vic Fangio may not finalize that portion of his depth chart until after the Broncos complete their preseason schedule. 

"This could go, to my understanding, through all three preseason games before they make a decision," Palmer explained, per Kevin Patra of the league's website. "That's where they stand right now when they look at both of these quarterbacks." 

Fangio remarked on June 7 it was "too early" to make any conclusions following what he'd seen from his signal-callers at that time, and he previously insisted the competition would be "a 50-50 proposition" through the summer. The Broncos open the preseason against the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater's first NFL club, on Aug. 14 before facing the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 21 and then the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 28. 

It's possible, maybe even likely, Fangio and company are dragging their feet amid reports that Green Bay Packers starter and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers declined a contract extension that would've made him the league's highest-paid player. Rodgers has remained away from the Packers this offseason and allegedly wishes to be traded, and the Broncos have been linked with the 37-year-old in rumors since the start of the 2021 NFL Draft.