“Very,” he told The Denver Post Monday night. “Very. There’s always the — you get traded, little animosity.There’s not anymore. I feel like time has done the healing.”

The Seahawks backup is 29 years old now. The baby face from his Denver days is long gone. In its place, though, is a Tom Selleck-style mustache, still visibly adjusting to the space above his upper lip. The quarterback has changed; the charisma hasn’t, really. It’s why Seattle brought him back in the first place this past offseason to back up Sam Darnold, after a lost year in New York — an opportunity, as Lock’s longtime quarterbacks coach Justin Hoover told The Denver Post, to see if he could “still play.”

“You always heard about his infectious personality, and that all proved to be true,” Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko told The Post. “But he’s a heck of a competitor. And that was something we kinda expected from him — to come in and push Sam mentally, push him physically, and be ready at the drop of a hat that, ‘Hey, it����ap your turn to go.’”

Four years after the Broncos tossed in the towel on a former second-round pick, four years after they shipped Lock off to Seattle in the Russell Wilson blockbuster, Lock has stuck it out long enough to experience his own kind of renewal. He has thrown all of three passes in 2025 behind Darnold, the 2018 No. 3 pick who’s revitalized his career the past two seasons. But during Seattle’s run to a Super Bowl berth, a funny thing’s happened: pushing a reclamation project in Darnold has given Lock the confidence he can be reclaimed, too.

“To me, Drew’s a lot like Sam,” Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak told The Post. “He’s going to get an opportunity — like Sam did — to be someone’s starter here. And he’s going to do a great job.”

Lock remembers, of course. The waters of the Pacific Northwest have not washed away the sting. There are good memories: he still looks back at old photos of Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick from the Denver days, telling The Post in December that “those dudes still hold a special place in my heart.” And the bad is still fresh, of course: the March 2022 day when his phone buzzed while at home with now-wife Natalie.

Lock picked up. Broncos general manager George Paton spoke.

“We’ve made a trade for a quarterback,” Paton told him, as Lock remembered. “This is going to be a good situation for you.”

“Awesome,” Lock replied.

Paton hung up, and called back, and walked Lock through it, and Natalie stood across from him, gesturing with her fingers in the air as if pointing at an invisible map of the United States. Were they going up? Down? East? She was from Florida and wanted to go to Florida. She wanted some semblance, really, of how their life was going to change.

Salvation in Seattle

They landed, of course, in Seattle, which wound up being salvation. It did not feel like it, at first.

“There was some feeling of, not being good enough,” said Hoover, who has worked with Lock for 14 straight offseasons. “Not necessarily like he didn’t believe in his own game, but it was just the rejection piece of it that affected him.”

In 2019, Lock came out of Missouri as a prototypical 6-foot-4, 225-pound Southern gunslinger. He’d thrown an SEC-leading 44 touchdowns at Mizzou two years earlier, and the Broncos took him No. 42 overall, needing to hit on a new franchise quarterback in the two years since Peyton Manning’s retirement. Lock, as Hoover recalled, came to Denver wanting to prove he belonged as a first-round pick — on the same level as Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones and Dwayne Haskins, the three QBs drafted before him in ’19.

Lock went 4-1 as a starter in 2019 after taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, but faltered in a rocky 2020, with a league-leading 13 interceptions in just 13 games. In 2021, journeyman tight end Eric Saubert came to Denver as Lock was locked in a quarterback competition with Teddy Bridgewater in camp. Saubert’s initial impression: Lock had a cannon.

He just deployed that cannon on everysinglethrow.

“You get out of your break,” Saubert recalled, “and it’s like, ‘Oh! Ball’s out.'”

Since growing up in Missouri, Hoover reflected, Lock was always a kid who wanted to take the last shot. Sometimes, every shot felt like the last shot. Mizzou was at a talent disadvantage compared to the Alabamas and the Georgias of the SEC world, and Lock had to play “lights-out” in those matchups, Hoover reflected, to have a chance. He became wired as such.

Then, he stepped into a building in Denver, well aware of the franchise’s history, and of John Elway walking around as the general manager. Lock “recognized the logo,” Hoover said. Internal pressure grew with that.

“I think he learned a lot about the fact that, in the NFL — you really only need to be Superman five times a game,” Hoover said.

An asset in the QB room

The Wilson trade, though, brought him to a particular spot: Seattle, where noted players’ coach Pete Carroll was in the final years of his run with the Seahawks. Carroll and general manager John Schneider made Lock feel wanted, even as he started just two games over two years behind Geno Smith.

“I don’t think I would go as far as to say that it saved his career, but I definitely think it shot the energy back into his work ethic, and into his mental approach,” Hoover said. “And so, in a way, I think it did save him.”

After a one-year deal in New York to compete with Jones in 2024 ended in disappointment, Schneider brought Lock back in 2025. By all measures, teammates and coaches describe him as a genuine asset. Saubert, now playing alongside Lock in Seattle, told The Post that he’d “roll with Drew any day” — noting he’s now added more touch as a quarterback. Lock pores over concepts and opposing defenses with Darnold every morning and bounces reminders off him.

“He’s going to bring up things that I don’t think about, that coaches don’t think about,” Darnold said Tuesday. “And yeah, just, he’s a brilliant guy to be around.”

It’s certainly not lost on Hoover, now, that Lock’s developed for years behind two starting quarterbacks — Smith and Darnold — once labeled as busts in a massive New York market. In particular, Lock and Darnold have been friends since they roomed together as high schoolers at the 2015 Army All-American Bowl, and the two came up in the same QB-prospect class.

“I do think their skillsets are similar, and so I think that����ap given Drew a lot of confidence to know, like, ‘I’m right there,'” Hoover said, who saw both Darnold and Lock in 2014’s Elite 11 quarterback class. “And I think that����ap been really good for him.

“I love seeing the smile on his face playing football again,” Hoover said. “And Sam’s given him some of that, and Coach (Mike Macdonald) has given him some of that.”

Still, Seattle’s room won’t let Lock forget who he used to be. In meetings throughout 2025, as Janocko said, the quarterbacks have fired up the December 2019 clip of Lock rapping along — between drives of his fifth-ever NFL start — as Empower Field blasted Young Jeezy.

“Oh, yeah,” Janocko said Monday, feigning shouldering on a backpack. “I mean, we still strap it up.”

The legend of “Put On” lives on. And Lock can smile now, looking back.

“I appreciate that place, taking me in, cheering me on as much as they did,” Lock said “Fighting through some of the struggles, and excited when the good things happen.”

Bolles, the Broncos’ rugged left tackle, is 33 years old. A full two years older than the 31-year-old Davis Webb. Both were drafted in 2017: Bolles, a first-round offensive lineman, Webb, a third-round quarterback. Fast-forward to the present , and Bolles is about to play a 10th NFL season with Webb as his new offensive coordinator in Denver.

So what of the possibility that Sean Payton could hand over the play-calling reins to Webb, too?

“It’d be awesome, man,” Bolles said Monday after the AFC’s Pro Bowl practice, grinning. “DW is the best. We love him. I’m excited to see what he can do for us.”

On Monday, nearly 1,000 miles away from a rapidly-changing facility in Denver, the Broncos’ best and brightest gathered at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for a couple of days of Pro Bowl festivities and basking in football regality. Bolles was having more fun than anyone, palling around with fellow Pro Bowl contemporaries and snapping the ball during the AFC’s walkthrough. Receiver Courtland Sutton caught a few half-speed passes from former Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco, now a veteran with the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive lineman Zach Allen played in an afternoon Dodgeball game and accidentally beaned another Pro Bowl lineman in the face.

Still, widespread mirth masked an unmistakable melancholy. All of them wished they were in the Bay Area for a few days longer, a week after an AFC title-game loss to New England that ended their season short of a Super Bowl.

“I just try to avoid the Super Bowl ads and everything as much as possible,” Allen told The Denver Post. “Every time (I) see it, I get pretty upset. Maybe after the game, I’ll calm down a little bit.”

Aftershocks from that Patriots loss have rippled through the Broncos’ staff. Denver fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch. Senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael and defensive passing-game coordinator Jim Leonhard left for jobs with the Buffalo Bills. But Denver has ensured a couple of key coaching retentions, as Payton officially hired Webb as his OC Monday — in a move that could signal Payton is ready to pass off play-calling duties for the first time in an 18-year head-coaching career.

Broncos lifers are on board.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Sutton told The Post when asked about Webb potentially being his play-caller. “I love Davis, and so if he gets the opportunity to call the plays — I think he has the heartbeat of the offense. And so everybody’s going to enjoy having him, if that is what winds up happening.”

The Broncos, too, will all but surely see Vance Joseph back as defensive coordinator in 2026. After two straight seasons in command of the NFL’s No. 3 defense, the league’s head-coaching carousel spun through 10 jobs without any team hiring Joseph.

“Selfishly, I’m not (upset),” outside linebacker Nik Bonitto told The Post, “because I love VJ. And I love having him be my DC. But, no, his time will come soon, for sure.”

It’s slightly bittersweet. Joseph was one of the NFL’s hottest coaching names at the start of the cycle, and received interview requests from six of seven initial teams with head-coach openings. But interest quickly fizzled, and Joseph was left on the outside looking in again.

“He deserves it,” Allen said. “I mean, he would make an incredible head coach. He’s a leader of men. Like, he checks every single box. I don’t know what the teams are looking for.

“But for us, it����ap good news,” Allen continued. “So we’ll take it, however it plays out. So, yeah. He definitely deserves a shot. But the fact that we get to steal another year of him, we’ll take it.”

Allen called Joseph “the top assistant coach in football,” and he and Bonitto both lauded the benefit of continuity for Denver’s defense under Joseph in 2026.

“I know all the defensive guys are excited,” Bonitto said of Joseph’s return, “so it����ap going to be really good.”

With Webb and Joseph entrenched, Denver will now turn its attention to free agency, needing to make decisions on a slew of key in-house free agents. And just the same as with staff, players continue to advocate for retention in the building, as the Broncos try to build past a No. 1 seed and a sudden end to 2025.

“I think getting Nik signed, getting Zach signed, myself getting signed — I think getting those guys signed was huge,” Sutton said. “And I think we’re going to have another big offseason of signing guys back that helped us, and will continue to help us.”

And for the first time since the Hall of Fame quarterback retired, Denver has a long-term answer under center. However, with Nix suffering a fractured ankle in the divisional round game, the Broncos turn to backup Jarrett Stidham to face the Patriots.

Broncos players express faith in backup QB Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix’s injury

From Trevor Siemian to Case Keenum to Nix, here’s a look at the Broncos’ different starting quarterbacks since Manning retired, who they are, how they fared in the role and where they are today.

Trevor Siemian

How he landed with the Broncos: Siemian was selected in the seventh round (250th pick overall) in 2015.

How he fared in Denver: Siemian played 25 games, making 24 starts for the Broncos and leading them to a 13-11 record. He completed 59.3% of his passes for 5,686 yards, 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He was traded to the Vikings along with a 2018 seventh-round pick following the 2017 season for a 2019 fifth-round pick. The fifth-round pick was used to select linebacker Justin Hollins.

Where he is now: The 34-year-old journeyman was signed to the Tennessee Titans' practice squad following training camp and remained on it all season long. He made numerous stops in the years after Denver, including with the Vikings, Jets, Saints, Bears and Bengals.

Paxton Lynch

How he landed with the Broncos: The Memphis standout was selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. “He was the guy,” general manager John Elway said after selecting Lynch. “And we’re thrilled to have him.”

How he fared in Denver: Lynch didn’t live up to his first-round hype in Denver, playing just five games (starting four) in his two seasons with the Broncos. He had a 1-3 record while completing 61.7% of his passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. He was cut before the start of the 2018 season.

Where he is now: Lynch, 31, signed with the Colorado Spartans of the National Arena League on Nov. 1.

Brock Osweiler

How he landed with the Broncos: Osweiler was originally selected in the second round (57th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. Following the Super Bowl 50 win, he signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Houston Texans. He was traded a year later to Cleveland but was released before the start of the 2018 season. Shortly after, he re-signed with Denver after Lynch suffered a shoulder injury.

How he fared in Denver: His second stint with the Broncos wasn’t as memorable as his first. He played in six games (starting four) and finished with an 0-4 record in his starts. He finished the year completing 55.8% of his passes for 1,088 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions.

Where he is now: Osweiler, 35, retired from playing in 2019. He now works as a .

Case Keenum

How he landed with the Broncos: Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal before the start of the 2018 season.

How he fared in Denver: Keenum became the first Broncos quarterback to start every game in a season since Peyton Manning’s 2014 season. He opened strong, leading Denver to a 2-0 start, but the team finished the season 6-10. Keenum completed 62.3% of his passes for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He was traded along with a seventh-round pick to Washington for a sixth-round pick following the end of the season.

Where he is now: The 37-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Bears last April. He was the team's third-string quarterback behind Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent.

Joe Flacco

How he landed with the Broncos: The former Super Bowl MVP was traded to Denver in February 2019 for a fourth-round draft pick.

How he fared in Denver: Flacco started eight games before the Broncos placed him on injured reserve for a herniated disc in his neck. Denver went 2-6 in his starts, where he completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.

Where he is now: Flacco, 41, finished the 2025 season as the backup quarterback for the Bengals. He opened the year as the Browns' starting quarterback after signing a one-year, $4 million contract. He was benched by Cleveland after four games in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Later that week, he was traded to Cincinnati, where he took over the starting job until Joe Burrow returned in Week 16. He finished the year with a 60.3% passing percentage, throwing for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Brandon Allen

How he landed with the Broncos: Allen was claimed off waivers from the Rams before the start of the 2019 season.

How he fared in Denver: He started in three games for the Broncos after Flacco suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9 of the 2019 season. He won his first game and lost the other two, completing 46.4% of his passes for 515 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Where he is now: Allen, 33, signed a one-year, $1.42 million deal with the Titans before the 2025 season. He appeared in one game, completing 17 of 30 passes for 72 yards and an interception.

Drew Lock

How he landed with the Broncos: Lock was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri.

How he fared in Denver: Lock made his first start during his rookie season in Week 13. In his five starts, he helped the Broncos to a 4-1 record to close out the season. He started 13 games in 2020 and three in 2021. He finished his time in Denver with an 8-13 record, 59.3% completion percentage, 4,740 yards, 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Where he is now: Lock, 29, signed a two-year, $5 million contract last April to be Sam Darnold's backup in Seattle. It's his second stint with the Seahawks. He made five appearances, completing 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards this year.

Jeff Driskel

How he landed with the Broncos: Driskel signed as a free agent before the 2020 season.

How he fared in Denver: Driskel made his first appearance in Week 2 of the 2020 season after Drew Lock suffered a shoulder injury early in the game against the Steelers. He started in Week 3 in a losing effort to the Buccaneers but was pulled in the fourth quarter. In three appearances (one start), he completed 54.7% of his passes for 432 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Where he is now: The 32-year-old signed with the Commanders in December off the Cardinals' practice squad after Marcus Mariota's injury. He did not play in 2025.

Brett Rypien

How he landed with the Broncos: Rypien signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

How he fared in Denver: The nephew of former Washington star quarterback Mark Rypien came on in relief of Jeff Driskel in Week 3 of the 2020 season during Denver’s loss to Tampa Bay. He earned the start in Week 4, leading the Broncos to a 37-28 road win against the Jets. He also had four appearances (two starts) in 2022, coming in for an injured Russell Wilson. In eight games (three starts) in Denver, he completed 61.5% of his passes for 778 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Where he is now: Rypien, 29, opened the 2025 season on the Bengals' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster after Joe Burrow's injury, but was released after Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco. He signed with the Colts but was released in December. The Vikings picked him up off waivers a day later.

Kendall Hinton

How he landed with the Broncos: Hinton signed as an undrafted free agent in April 2020. He was waived before the start of the season, but signed to the practice squad that November.

How he fared in Denver: Hinton was a quarterback at Wake Forest but was projected to be a receiver in the NFL. He became the Broncos’ emergency starter in Week 12 of the 2020 season after all four of Denver’s quarterbacks were ruled ineligible to play due to COVID-19 protocol. While Phillip Lindsay technically started under center, Hinton was the team’s primary passer for the game. He completed 1 of 9 passes for 13 yards and two interceptions in a 31-3 loss to the Saints.

Where he is now: After emerging as a depth receiver for the Broncos from 2021-22 (39 catches for 486 yards and a touchdown), he was waived during training camp in August 2023. The 28-year-old is currently a free agent. He's also a , according to his Instagram.

Teddy Bridgewater

How he landed with the Broncos: Denver traded a 2021 sixth-round pick to the Panthers to acquire Bridgewater in April.

How he fared in Denver: The journeyman quarterback emerged as the team’s starter after beating out incumbent Drew Lock in the preseason. The Broncos’ record was 7-6 through his 13 starts. He has completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Where is he now: The 33-year-old quarterback backed up Baker Mayfield for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025. He had four appearances, completing 8 of 15 passes for 62 yards.

Russell Wilson

How he landed with the Broncos: In one of the biggest trades in Denver sports history, the Broncos traded for Wilson and a fourth-round draft pick in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.

How he fared in Denver: Before the 2024 season, Wilson had been the most stable starter for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired. He started 30 games for Denver, completing 63.3% of his passes for 6,594 yards, 42 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. The Broncos compiled an 11-19 record during that span. In addition, he and his wife, Ciara, bought a $25 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village (and sold it for $21.5 million).

Where he is now: Wilson, 37, signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Giants before the 2025 season. He opened the season as New York's starter but was benched in favor of Jaxson Dart following an 0-3 start. He later fell to the No. 3 spot behind Jameis Winston. He completed 69 of 119 passes for 831 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Jarrett Stidham

How he landed with the Broncos: Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract in March 2023. He signed a two-year, $12 million extension prior to the 2025 season.

How he fared (so far) in Denver: Stidham, 29, made his first start in Week 17 of the 2023 season against the Chargers. In three appearances (two starts), he's completed 60.6% of his passes for 496 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He beat out Zach Wilson to be the team's backup in 2024.

Where he is now: He's spent the last two seasons as Denver's backup quarterback to Nix. He'll be the Broncos starter on Sunday against his former team, the Patriots, in the AFC Championship game.

Bo Nix

How he landed with the Broncos: Nix was selected in the first round (12th pick overall) in the 2024 NFL draft out of Oregon.

How he fared (so far) in Denver: The 25-year-old has led Denver to back-to-back playoff appearances since getting drafted. He's started 34 regular-season games, completing 64.8% of his passes for 7,706 yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He also has 786 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in his career. His win over the Bills in the AFC divisional round was just Denver's second playoff victory by a quarterback they had drafted, joining Tim Tebow.

Where he is now: He is Denver's starting quarterback but is out for the season after suffering a fractured ankle in the AFC divisional round.

Honest, Bo Nix. We do. It’s your alter ego that ����apountry can’t trust.

Bo Nix fears no defense, no down, no distance, no deficit. Bo Nix plays with the gleam of the Lombardi Trophy and with stones cut straight from Castle Rock.

Boo Nix, though?

Boo Nix gets ya beat.

Cruelly. Agonizingly. At home. To a sorry Pittsburgh or Baltimore team that was lucky to even make the postseason bracket in the first place.

“Overall, I thought we didn’t play with the tempo and the passion we normally play with,” Nix said after a “meh” afternoon against the Chargers, one that saw him throw for just 141 yards and zero TDs in a 19-3 Broncos victory.

Broncos clinch No. 1 seed, set out on Super Bowl chase: ‘You can see the light’

"There's a lot that goes into that. It's Week 18. It's the last game of the year. You get kind of (up) 10-0 weird early. It's just a strange football game. (You) prepare for one thing all week and then get something different. You don't know who's gonna show up ..."

Boo Nix, Bo's darker side, showed up against the Chargers. Big-time.

No. 10 threw high. He threw wide. His protection, a strength all season, broke down so badly that there were free rushers everywhere. For the first time in a long while, the Broncos' shining light looked as if he was running for dear life.

And even when he had time, everything was just a little off. A little too fast. A little too fine. A little too clever. Heaters when the play demanded a change-up. Curveballs when the receivers were expecting sliders.

Nix was sacked four times on Sunday. Context: He'd only been taken down by an opposing pass rush five times over the entire month of December.

On one fourth-quarter dropback, Nix had what felt like about 15 seconds, untouched, to scan the field. He stood like Joe Flacco, flat-footed, until the pocket collapsed, taking Denver's QB1 along with it.

And out came the field goal unit. Again.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Empower Field cried.

"How do you sort of process that booing, that reaction, especially at home?" I asked Nix later.

"Well, it's our job to give them a bit of quality experience," the Broncos QB replied. "And they show up to see us win. And obviously, we've won a lot of games this year.

"But it's good ... you take for granted winning. I think it's going to be good to have that same passion, that same energy flipped and go against the opponent in a few weeks.

"But I think at the end of the day, they're not really booing me. They're not booing a certain player. They're not booing a certain coach. It's just kind of the whole thing (where), once one guy does it, (they all do). It's part of the game."

And it took a village to help make Nix look lousy. Broncos wideouts struggled with separation most of the afternoon. The red zone calls were curious (again); the red zone execution was atrocious. After four touchdowns in four trips against Green Bay, Denver has crossed the plane just three times over its last nine red-zone trips going back to that Jacksonville debacle.

"He's ballsy, man," left tackle Garett Bolles said of Nix. "He knows exactly what he needs to do. No moment's too big for him. No pressure's too big for him. He's just calm and collected. delivers the ball to our playmakers, relies on us up front to get the job done. You know, we moved the ball that we needed to move the ball. Obviously, we didn't score the points we wanted to score. But we scored enough to win, and that's all that matters."

You hope coach Sean Payton's been saving the good stuff for the postseason. Because he and Nix haven't been on the same page, let alone the same book, since that win over the Packers on December 14.

"We've got to clean some things up," Payton said. "And we will."

Renck: Broncos secure home field for playoffs, but are not home free from criticism

Because Boo Nix? Bo Nix suffers the upset. Boo Nix goes three and out in the playoffs, repeatedly, when it hurts the most.

"So I gotta do next time we get in that spot," Nix said. "I gotta have better urgency, be a little bit of a spark. And then the rest of the guys will do the same ...

"I've been booed before. And I'll be booed again."

Make us Boo-lieve, Broncos.

Which one's it gonna be? Boo Nix rushes. Boo Nix pushes. Boo Nix forces throws. Boo Nix watches on the sidelines, helpless, while the Ravens or Steelers or Bills start running wild.

Bo Nix has our faith. Bo Nix has our hearts. Bo Nix spends six seconds scratching confetti out of his hair, wearing a smile you can see all the way to Santa Clara.

The Browns’ flashy rookie quarterback with the Hall of Fame father, bright smile and huge fan base will start Sunday in arguably America’s glitziest city against the Raiders as the Browns turn to him while fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel recovers from a concussion.

Sanders replaced an injured Gabriel for the second half of last week’s 23-16 loss to Baltimore. It was as Sanders, who was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round, completed just 4 of 16 passes with an interception. He was also sacked twice and fumbled once.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Gabriel remains in the concussion protocol but is improving.

Sanders was fourth on Cleveland’s depth chart during training camp, behind Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Gabriel. But the Browns, who have spent decades in search of a franchise QB, traded both Pickett and Flacco before starting Gabriel in six games.

Sanders will be the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, and the 18th rookie. They’ve gone 0-17 in their debuts.

Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, had been projected as a first-round pick in April’s draft. However, all 32 teams passed on the Colorado standout before the Browns selected him with the No. 144 overall pick, two rounds after they took Gabriel.

While Sanders was playing his first regular-season game on Sunday, The Medina County Sheriff’s Office said three suspects wearing masks and gloves stole approximately $200,000 in property from the QB’s residence.

Sanders was forced into action against the Ravens after Gabriel was ruled out at halftime. Cleveland’s crowd roared when he took the field and there were loud cheers for his completion. Sanders did not take any snaps with the Browns’ starting offense since being drafted and it showed.

He held onto the ball too long — a problem when he was in college — as the Ravens forced him out of the pocket. Sanders did make a couple of nice throws while trying to rally the Browns (2-8) in the closing moments and nearly threw a game-tying TD pass.

Afterward, Sanders was tough while grading his own performance.

“I don’t think I played good. I don’t think I played good — at all,” Sanders said. “I think it����ap a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable.”

On Wednesday, Stefanski complimented Sanders’ resolve.

“Obviously, he battled to the end,” he said. “We’re right there on that final drive. I think there’s so many things that all of us can do better in those moments so we can finish with a win but, man, all of our guys and then definitely Shedeur, they battled to the end.”

Stefanski said Sanders will get all the first-team reps in practice this week. The Browns had been criticized in some circles for not having the backup QB better prepared for his debut.

___

AP NFL:

Pour one out for Two-Way Travis: On Tuesday, former Colorado gamebreaker and Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter had season-ending surgery to repair a ligament in his knee, which could bring a swift end to his NFL career as a two-way player. It’s a shame. Hunter had just started to get going and will finish his rookie year with 28 catches for 298 yards on offense and 15 tackles on defense in seven games. But there’s little chance that his camp and the Jaguars will view two-way stardom as the best thing for his long-term health.

Joe Shiesty about to replace Joe Cool: The brief dream old-guy run in Cincinnati might be over for 40-year-old Joe Flacco, as franchise QB Joe Burrow has returned to practice after missing most of the season with turf toe. The Bengals opened Burrow’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve, meaning he could play again as soon as Sunday against the Steelers (much more likely in the following weeks, though). The Flacco trade didn’t exactly save the Bengals’ season, as they’ve gone 1-3 with Flacco starting. Still, he’s again resuscitated his career with a 102.6 quarterback rating in Cincy.

Trouble in Buffalo?: Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t , but he certainly didn’t deny it, either. It was a terrible loss for the Bills, who look suddenly vulnerable at 6-3. Quarterback Josh Allen has been typically excellent, but Buffalo’s offense has scored 20 points or less across a 2-3 stretch in its last five games.

Around the NFC

Giants throw in the towel on Daboll: The 2-8 Giants canned fiery head coach Brian Daboll on Monday, a few short weeks after blowing a 26-8 fourth-quarter lead to the Broncos in a game that could’ve saved his job. Instead, they blew another fourth-quarter lead to Chicago this past Sunday, and Daboll’s gone. Now, with franchise rookie QB Jaxson Dart in concussion protocol, former Broncos not-so-standout Russell Wilson got benched ������������— this time for QB3 Jameis Winston. There this year.

Good, better, best: Speaking of Chicago: How about Dem Bears? This year’s officially for real with Chicago sitting at 6-3 and rivalling Denver in sheer fourth-quarter magic. Sophomore QB Caleb Williams has taken a step forward in sack avoidance and decision-making, and is now tied with Bo Nix for the most fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives (four) of any NFL QB this season. First-year head coach Ben Johnson’s electric postgame speeches — — are one of the best things going in the league.

McBride needs better marriage: CSU product Trey McBride might well be the best tight end in the NFL at 61 catches for 603 yards and six touchdowns through nine games. But he’s stuck in purgatory in Arizona, where the 3-6 Cardinals have a near-Broncos-era-Wilson-level contract problem with perpetually hurt Kyler Murray. Backup Jacoby Brissett has been serviceable, but not a ceiling-raiser. McBride’s four-year, $76 million extension in April was great value for Arizona, but might be holding the Greeley native back.

Game of the Week

Seattle at L.A. Rams

Easy pick here. The NFC West is an absolute dogfight, and this game Sunday could decide the division, as the 7-2 Seahawks travel to Los Angeles to take on the 7-2 Rams. Seattle has a legitimate MVP candidate in QB Sam Darnold; the Rams have 37-year-old Matthew Stafford playing better football than at any point in his 17-year career. Plus, veteran WR Cooper Kupp will make his first return to Los Angeles as a first-year member of the Seahawks. Really good TV in the afternoon window.

Seattle 27, L.A. Rams 24

Lock of the Week

Baltimore at Cleveland

Lamar Jackson has been back the last couple of weeks, and the Ravens have survived a nightmare start to ride a three-game winning streak into a matchup with the hapless Browns. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has stuck behind rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel despite an overwhelming mountain of evidence he might be the worst starting QB in the NFL, and Colorado product Shedeur Sanders has still not seen the field. Baltimore could run the score up big-time here.

Baltimore 34, Cleveland 10

Upset of the Week

Houston at Tennessee

Why not? C.J. Stroud is out another week after suffering a concussion against the Broncos in Week 9, leaving the entirely mediocre Davis Mills to start another week as Houston heads to Tennessee. The Titans have been utterly miserable in a 1-8 start, but actually managed to hang with the Chargers last week. Rookie QB Cam Ward’s been playing better ball the last four weeks. This could send Houston into a spiral.

Tennessee 20, Houston 14

The Broncos have kicked it away on fourth down four more times than the Browns (49), who went from Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel at QB, and 11 more times than the Titans (42), who fired their coach after six games.

Meanwhile, Denver (8-2) rolls into Sunday’s absurdly huge showdown with the Chiefs (5-4) ranked third in the NFL in fewest points allowed (17.2) and fewest yards given up (270.7).

It’s one of the most lopsided 8-2 profiles in modern NFL history — stepping on buses and chewing on power cables in the most adorably destructive way possible.

“Shootouts, low-scoring games, as long as we win,” Joseph, the Broncos’ defensive coordinator and mastermind of the Mile High Mashers, told me after practice earlier this month. “You have to improve every single week, fix your issues and move forward. That’s what we’re doing.”

Speaking of issues, the Giants are now looking for a head coach. Brian Daboll became the second NFL boss this season to lose his gig not long after losing to the Broncos. The Titans, who looked Hackett-esque in a Week 1 defeat at Empower Field,

As the hottest coordinator in the NFL, Joseph, 53, has already landed on most pundits’ short lists. As well he should.

“It is flattering (to be mentioned),” Joseph said. “I think as a coach, you always like when your work’s being recognized. Obviously, that’s why we do it. I think the highest honor in this league is being mentioned in those conversations, so that’s flattering, also. But this is my, what, 18th, 19th season in the league?

Renck vs. Keeler: Which team has best shot at title: Broncos, Nuggets or Avs?

"I think winning comes with that, and winning is foremost for me. And I'm so happy that this program is turning, and it's turning for the Broncos fan base and for Coach Payton and all the guys who are here.

"And I've watched it when I was a head coach here not be as good. Now watching how it����ap growing and now being a contender, that's fun for me."

Know what else is fun? The layers to VJ's career comeback narrative. The way each chapter climbs a little higher, a little prouder, than the last.

When Joseph was tapped as Payton's defensive coordinator, the talk shows cackled, and the scribes cringed. This guy? Here? After going 11-21 as the head man at Dove Valley in 2017-18? After being one of the symbols of the Broncos' slow, painful slide into irrelevance after Peyton Manning's retirement?

When VJ's unit surrendered a 70-burger at Miami in Week 3 of the 2023 season, the knives and poison pens came out again. Only Payton stood by his man.

In the 41 regular-season games since, the Broncos are 26-15, a .634 win percentage that would average out to 11 victories over a 17-game slate. VJ's defense during that 41-game stretch is giving up just 18.9 points per contest.

"For me, my first experience wasn't a great one, but I want it again," Joseph said of being an NFL head coach. "I'm not stressed about it ... I don't want to talk about it a lot, but if it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I do want the opportunity again."

Mea culpa, VJ. I was wrong, dude. Hand in the air. It's downright scary to think of where this team would be without you.

Especially this week. Some of Joseph's best work in orange and blue has come against the Chiefs. Since 2023, in the three games in which Patrick Mahomes has played against a VJ-led Broncos defense, the Kansas City offense has managed just two touchdowns and averaged only 14.7 points.

"We're executing for him because we know how much he's worked and how much he's put in," Broncos slot cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian told me recently. "And it's kind of like returning the favor for him."

VJ's guys keep receipts. McMillian was an undersized (5-foot-10), undrafted cornerback out of East Carolina with a motor that revved below the radar. Yet Joseph had an eye on the kid even before returning to Denver.

"He always talks about leverage and just doing your job, and I've just been listening," said McMillian, who has piled up 13 tackles for loss and five sacks since 2023. "And it got me to where I'm at right now.

"I took a (scouting) visit to Arizona when (Joseph) was with the Cardinals. I knew him a little then. But he just told me I was the guy when he first got here. And it means so much to me that I've got a coach like that, that likes me, that loves me."

And they love him right back.

To a man.

"I mean, the guy, he's special," said linebacker Alex Singleton, who racked up nine tackles while playing days after receiving a testicular cancer diagnosis last week. "Not every guy on our defense is a first-rounder. We have a lot of well-paid guys now, but a lot of guys that earned that pay. And I think VJ was a big part of that for a lot of them. He bought into us, and so we bought into him. That's why we play that way."

"And if some team snaps him as a head coach soon?" I asked.

Singleton grinned.

"That's up to him," the linebacker replied. "Wherever he is, you know, I'm a free agent, so ..."

Ah, yes. The price of success in the NFL -- mass poaching. Nothing lasts forever. That's why, in a sink-or-swim league, you have to enjoy a foamy wave while you're riding the crest.

"It's fun for me to watch the players and the coaches enjoy this and keep moving forward with this," Joseph said. "But I think it comes with winning."

You can't see this team winning seven in a row without him. You can't spell "rejuvenate" without the V and the J. Or "overjoyed," now that you mention it.

Run coming? Don’t look now, but Lamar Jackson is healthy and the Ravens have tripled their win total in the past five days. Sure, the victories came against Chicago and Miami. And yeah, John Harbaugh’s team is still just 3-5. But if Pittsburgh loses Sunday to 7-1 Indianapolis, the Ravens are going to find themselves just a game out of first place in the AFC North with both games against the Steelers still ahead. Baltimore’s next four before taking on Aaron Rodgers and company: at Minnesota and Cleveland, then home against the New York Jets and Cincinnati. That’s a chance to make a run.

Pair of Jokers. The Colts’ offensive explosion has been remarkable, and QB Daniel Jones rightfully gets a lot of attention. But find a better pair of weapons than Jonathan Taylor and rookie TE Tyler Warren. Taylor’s on pace for 2,200 total offensive yards and 30 (!!) touchdowns. Warren, meanwhile, arrived as the No. 14 pick and currently ranks first among NFL tight ends in yards (492), 20-plus-yard catches (8) and first downs (25). These guys aren’t just good. They’re set up to be dangerous for years to come.

It����ap a Revolution. Speaking of… the Patriots are 6-2, have reeled off five straight wins, Drake Maye’s taken a star turn in Year 2 and it doesn’t look like smoke and mirrors. Mike Vrabel’s team has the second-best scoring differential (+67) in football behind only the Colts. The team also already has a win in hand at Buffalo (5-2). Here are the Patriots’ opponents before those teams meet again Dec. 14: Atlanta on Sunday, at Tampa, N.Y. Jets, at Cincinnati and the N.Y. Giants.

Around the NFC

All you need is… Jordan Love is up to second in the NFL in EPA per dropback, behind only Indy’s Daniel Jones. He put on a clinic Sunday night against predecessor Aaron Rodgers and has the Packers sitting at 5-1-1. If the playoffs started today, they’d be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They’re big favorites vs. Carolina on Sunday, then have a massive Monday Night game at home vs. Philly.

PNW power. If you’re counting Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, the list doesn’t get long before Seattle. Second-year coach Mike MacDonald has a squad. The defense is legit, and Sam Darnold is engineering an offense that continues to get the job done. They’re a real factor in what����ap shaping up to be among the NFL’s best divisions. Tough trip east to Washington for Sunday Night Football this weekend.

Aw, Shoughs. The listless New Orleans Saints are rolling with second-round rookie Tyler Shough at quarterback after benching Spencer Rattler. It’s a tough enough test this weekend on the road against the Rams, and it won’t do Shough much good at this point if Mickey Loomis starts dealing away offensive pieces ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, but that����ap life when you’re 1-7. Time to get a look, though, as this team will be drafting high — very high — in the spring of 2026.

Game of the Week

Kansas City at Buffalo

Any time Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes square off, it����ap must-see television. If the Bills are going to win, they’d do well to lean on James Cook, who is coming off a 216-yard romp over Carolina and is now averaging 6.0 yards per carry for the year. But the Chiefs are hot even by recent-year Chiefs standards. They’ve put 28-plus on the board in five straight games and have only looked more explosive since getting Rashee Rice back in the lineup. In the receiver’s two games since returning from a six-game suspension, the Chiefs have outscored Vegas and Washington 59-7, and Mahomes has thrown six touchdowns. Half have gone to Rice, who already has 13 catches for 135 yards. A fourth straight win and then a bye before a monster game at Empower Field on Nov. 16 feels right.

Chiefs 31, Bills 29

Lock of the Week

Minnesota at Detroit

The Vikings’ quarterback issues remain, and Kevin O’Connell now must give J.J. McCarthy a good, long look the rest of the year. In Detroit, meanwhile, Jared Goff is playing terrific football. The work week started for the Lions by giving a four-year, $180 million whopper of an extension to star Aidan Hutchinson. That����ap two $45-plus million pass-rushers in the same division with him and Green Bay’s Micah Parsons. Hutchinson’s off to a monster start after a broken leg marred his 2024. Good luck, McCarthy. The Lions are 9.5-point favorites, not the biggest line of the week — the Packers and Rams at home against Carolina and New Orleans, respectively, are bigger favorites — but this feels like a matchup of teams going in opposite directions.

Lions 28, Vikings 17

Upset of the Week

Chicago at Cincinnati

Welcome to the Bad Loss Bowl. The Bears might have had the worst loss of Week 8 — against a reeling, Lamar Jackson-less Ravens team. Except then the Bengals allowed the winless New York Jets to put 39 points on the board and notch their first win, 39-38. Now the Bengals could be without new old quarterback Joe Flacco and back to Jake Browning. But who can trust Ben Johnson’s team at this point? The 2.5-point road favorites look like they’ve made real progress, but then step back. Similar to the play of their second-year quarterback, Caleb Williams. The Bears should win this game, especially if Flacco doesn’t play. It should be a get-right game for Williams against a defense that’s really struggled. We’ll see.

Bengals 24, Bears 23

Sanders will back up Dillon Gabriel on Sunday in Pittsburgh, meaning the Browns, who haven’t won a regular-season game on their rival’s home field since 2003, will face the Steelers with two rookie quarterbacks.

Sanders has been Cleveland’s No. 3 emergency quarterback — and inactive on game days — for his first five games as the Browns, who in the fifth round, slowly developed him. But they think he’s now ready to be their No. 2 despite not taking a snap in a regular-season game.

Coach Kevin Stefanski had been noncommittal earlier this week about his plans for Sanders, saying he wanted to see how things “played out.” But following Friday’s practice, Stefanski said he was promoting Sanders to the backup spot.

“I’m always thinking about our players and what����ap best for our players,” Stefanski said, explaining the rationale on choosing Sanders. “And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision-making and that����ap really all it is. So excited for all of our guys.”

Stefanski could have opted for Bailey Zappe, who is on Cleveland’s practice squad and started the Browns’ season finale in 2024.

Sanders’ ascension comes in the aftermath of the Browns to Cincinnati this week. An 18-year veteran, Flacco started Cleveland’s first four games before too many interceptions led to him being benched in favor of Gabriel.

A third-round pick, Gabriel made his pro debut last week against Minnesota in London and will make his second start with Sanders behind him.

Before this week, Sanders had been getting limited practice reps and had split working with the scout team, sharing snaps with Gabriel and Zappe.

Stefanski has been impressed with Sanders’ progress and believes he’s ready to take another step.

“The big thing there is all of us play our role throughout the week and on Sunday, and obviously that backup quarterback role is a little bit different,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to support the starter, and then you have to be ready in a moment����ap notice. That����ap just the life of backup players at every position.

“We’ve said that here over the years all the time, that you have to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. But again, that����ap our job as coaches, as players to be ready when called upon.”

On Thursday, Sanders said he was excited about the possibility of backing up Gabriel.

“I’m in a great mental space overall,” Sanders said. “I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure. … Whatever my role is here, I’m thankful. I’m happy just to do that.”

While Gabriel is currently the team’s No. 1 QB, the Browns are expected to give Sanders a chance to start at some point this season. Cleveland has spent decades in search of a franchise QB and will explore every option.

The team’s decision to trade in 2022 for Deshaun Watson, signing him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, backfired badly. Watson has made just 19 starts due to injuries and an 11-game NFL suspension. He’s still with the team rehabbing a ruptured Achilles tendon and is unlikely to play in 2025.

In case Gabriel or Sanders don’t work out, the Browns have two first-round picks in 2026 they could use to find a quarterback.

___

AP NFL:

Bengals need an Average Joe: About two weeks ago, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he had “unwavering confidence” in backup Jake Browning. And yet $161 million man Ja’Marr Chase seemed rather unhappy. And $115 million man Tee Higgins seemed rather unhappy. The Broncos turned Browning into a ghost a couple of weeks ago, and then Joe Burrow’s replacement turned around and threw three picks against the Lions. The solution to a rapidly-sinking Bengals season: The organization traded for 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who authored a resounding 60.3 quarterback rating in four games in Cleveland before being benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Vibe check in Vegas: Pete Carroll’s NFL return could be going better. The Raiders just got blitzed 40-6 by the Colts in Indianapolis, and quarterback Geno Smith has nine picks in five games. Stud tight end Brock Bowers has been nagged by a knee injury. Linebacker Germaine Pratt was cut after four games. It’s a long process, but the 74-year-old Carroll has yet to show any signs of the culture overhaul he orchestrated at USC and in Seattle.

Breakthrough in Houston: C.J. Stroud said . The NFL world, evidently, did not understand this was a joke, because for some reason the larger NFL world seemed to sour on Stroud to Caleb Williams last year. After a shaky three-game start to 2025, though, Stroud got back on track with a 23-of-27, 244-yard, four-touchdown gem in a blowout of the Ravens last week. Yes, Baltimore’s bruised up every which way. But it was a much-needed showing for Stroud.

Around the NFC

The Javonte Renaissance: Who could’ve predicted this? Through five weeks in Dallas, former Broncos running back Javonte Williams sits at third in the NFL with 447 rushing yards — less than 70 away from his 2024 mark, which he put up in 17 games in Denver. He’s averaging two full yards a carry more in 2025 than he did in 2024, and just snapped off a 66-yarder in a 135-yard performance in Dallas’ Week 5 win over the Jets. If the Broncos hadn’t found J.K. Dobbins at the free-agent buzzer, they might’ve ended up pining after their ex in Texas.

Who’s the real No. 1 pick? A heck of a Monday Night matchup is coming to D.C., as 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels and the Commanders host 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears. It’s a rematch of last October, when Daniels established himself as the clear top dog in his class in downing Williams in an 18-15 Washington win — albeit on a last-second Hail Mary. Williams, though, has captured some attention across two straight wins for Chicago, and Daniels is still ramping up from an early-season knee injury. Round 2 awaits.

Historic Puka: Matthew Stafford is just churning out historic receiver seasons down in Los Angeles, as Puka Nacua shattered old teammate Cooper Kupp’s record last week for the most catches through the first five weeks of an NFL season. 52 catches! On 62 targets! It’s shaping up as an all-timer. Former Saints wideout Michael Thomas is the single-season record-holder with 149 catches back in 2019, and Nacua is easily within early striking distance.

Game of the Week

San Francisco at Tampa Bay

This is a gem on the CBS mid-afternoon slate. San Francisco, despite a rash of injuries and Brock Purdy’s absence, sits at 4-1. The Buccaneers, riding high on the right arm and outsized confidence of Baker Mayfield, also sit at 4-1. A dogged San Francisco defense did enough to seal an overtime win over the Rams last week, while Mayfield went haywire in a 29-of-33, 379-yard performance to slay Seattle. Someone’s ending up 5-1 and an early belle of the NFL ball after this one.

Tampa Bay 27, San Francisco 21

Lock of the Week

Rams at Ravens

Unless Lamar Jackson pulls a Willis Reed and hobbles out of the tunnel at M&T Bank Stadium on a bad hamstring, this one’s a wrap. The Ravens have given up 35-plus points in four of their five games this season, and sit at 1-4 because of it. Their training room looks like a M.A.S.H. ward. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford rolls in conducting one of the highest-powered passing attacks in the league. Expect fireworks.

Rams 38, Ravens 17

Upset of the Week

Chargers at Dolphins

Man, the Chargers’ season started so promisingly. But starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are out, running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are both sidelined, and Justin Herbert’s gotten knocked around the yard for three straight games. Los Angeles sits at 3-2, but they’re eminently vulnerable after putting up just 10 points last week in a loss to the Commanders. Mike McDaniel looks totally checked out in Miami, but Tua Tagovailoa still has enough juice left in his left arm to pull this one out.

Dolphins 21, Chargers 17