P.J. Locke served primarily as a special teams player with the Denver Broncos from 2020-2022, playing 144 snaps on defense during that three-year period.
Last year, Locke played 91 snaps on special teams, marking the first time his ST snaps dipped below 320 in a season. That was a direct result of Locke getting increased snaps on defense (539).
Following a season-ending injury for Caden Sterns and multiple suspensions for Kareem Jackson, Locke ended up starting eight games for the Broncos last fall. Ater the season, Denver rewarded Locke with a two-year, $7 million contract.
“Last season, I think he began to create that vision for himself, to his credit,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Locke on June 4. “[He was] closer to the ball as a pressure player, also in coverage. [It is] great to see him out there healthy. I think he earned some of those snaps and the confidence level for him. He’s one of the players when I talk about, ‘You see confidence through demonstrated.’ He saw it and felt it and then we saw it. It’s pretty powerful.
“He’s smart and he’s tough. The first time I remember talking to him for a long time about his role was when we were on a plane to go to Justin [Simmons]’s father’s funeral and his grandmother’s funeral. P.J. Locke was on that plane, and we had a long conversation about that. Those are snaps he’s earned, and he’s put himself in a good position.”
Locke took advantage of his increased role last fall and ended the season with 53 tackles, five pass breakups, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He has earned Payton’s confidence, which in turn has increased his own confidence.
“I have the utmost respect for Coach Payton. We had plenty of talks about just my journey getting to the NFL,” Locke said last month. “He can [talk] too and he has a story for everything. Everything I say he has a story behind it. He just gave me some confidence that he has confidence in me. That goes a long way with me. When a coach has confidence in me, it’s gives me a boost of energy and confidence in myself. When I play confident, I’m dangerous.”
After the Broncos cut Simmons this offseason, the team is set to have an open competition to replace him at safety. Locke, Sterns and Brandon Jones will compete for two starting jobs this summer. Even if he doesn’t end up starting in Week 1, Locke will remain a key part of the secondary in 2024.
