“I just needed my break” Broncos star rejects contract talks…….read more.

P.J. Locke felt he had finally settled in.

The three-year special teams star was playing his finest football at safety more than two weeks into training camp. After a defensive backs practice in mid-August, former defensive backs coach Christian Parker praised the progress Locke had made. Parker put Locke to the test as well, questioning if he would reach a ceiling or keep pushing for greater achievement.

Locke said on Tuesday, “I was like, ‘You already know the answer to that.'”

Locke’s progress was virtually reversed the following day. Locke thinks he clipped the foot of the receiver he was covering during a two-on-two drill, which caused him to dislocate his big toe. After the preseason concluded, he was taken off the field and placed on injured reserve.

Locke observed, “It’s easy to get real discouraged.” “When I first did it, I was like, ‘My season’s over with.'”

But Locke’s prognosis was more optimistic. Prior to being activated ahead of Week 5, he was out of action for the first four games of the season due to an injury. He gave appreciation to former safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson for keeping him in the defensive back room and for keeping him aware of the defensive strategies used by the Broncos.

Locke donned a headset to monitor calls made by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and remain connected to the system while he was out. It was a wise choice, as he was able to return.

“When I got back, all I really had to do was just work on my physical side,” Locke stated. “The psychological aspect was already modern. That’s what simplified things for me.”

It didn’t take Locke long to establish his superiority. He played little defense in his first two games, thus in the second half against Green Bay, he was thrown into the starting lineup. Locke leapt across the field at the end of the game to intercept a last-minute throw from Jordan Love, sparking a five-game winning streak in his first significant action of the season.

“It was a special moment, because it was my first pick in the NFL,” Locke stated. “Finally getting that opportunity, it was a lot of emotion going on.”

Locke and his family celebrated that night with backstage passes to a Travis Scott and Teezo Touchdown show at Ball Arena. Locke gave Aaron Lashane Thomas, who plays Teezo Touchdown, a gift at the performance because they both hail from the same hometown.

“I gave him a signed jersey — the same jersey I picked the ball off in,” Locke stated. It was a unique occasion for Beaumont, Texas. It was really cool. Definitely, it was a night to remember.”

Locke’s possibilities continued to expand after that. In order to be available for a Week 15 game in Detroit, he drove hundreds of miles in an RV and started eight of the Broncos’ next ten games. Locke, a danger close to the line of scrimmage, proved to be a facilitator for the Broncos.

“I always felt like I was a starter at some point,” Locke stated. “I just needed my break.”

According to Payton, he witnessed Locke take advantage of that first chance to get further snaps.

“Last season, I think he began to create that vision for himself, to his credit,” Payton stated. “As a pressure player and in covering, closer to the ball. It was wonderful to see him in good health. He deserved some of those slaps, in my opinion.

He is one of those players that, in my opinion, demonstrates confidence via their demonstrated skill; he felt and saw it. After then, it has some power. He is intelligent. He is resilient.”

According to Locke, the two had multiple conversations regarding his path to the NFL, and Payton’s belief in Locke’s abilities was evident in the way the Texas product performed on the field.

“He just gave me some confidence that he had confidence in me,” Locke stated. That really has an impact on me. I feel more energized and confident in myself when I have a coach who believes in me. I play dangerously when I’m confident.”

Locke declined to accept other offers during the summer and decided to stay with the Broncos for a two-year contract. Payton has already identified Locke as one of the new defensive line leaders. Locke said he had assumed he would have another season to absorb Simmons’ wisdom, but he has already begun to search for his own leadership style.

“When I heard the news [of Simmons’ release], I had a shift in mindset,” Locke stated. “… I’m sorting things out right now. The only difficult part is attempting to figure out how to accomplish it. I’m not Kareem; I’m not Justin. I’m more of a man that leads by example.”

Locke added that even while it’s “special” to beat the odds as an undrafted player, he still feels like he has a lot to prove as the 2024 season draws near.

“I feel like I still have a chip on my shoulder,” Locke stated. “I want to achieve a few personal goals that I’m not really willing to talk about. I’m constantly hungry because of those things. I still think that the only thing I need to prove to myself is this. There’s absolutely no slack being taken.”