John Elway has yet to finish working for the Broncos, but today’s changes make it look like the beginning of the end for the Duke of Denver.
The Broncos announced today that Elway will be promoted and will have to resign from his daily duty player staff. This is big news, because he’s been the chief architect of the Broncos for the past ten years.
These include the team’s 90-70 record, five AFC West titles, two Super Bowl appearances and one World Cup (2015). Elway basically took over the team because Pat Bowlen spent less time on it, Elway fired Josh McDaniels and brought the team from its worst season during its NFL term in just two years to the Super Bowl.
Elway had interesting techniques in the NFL draft to venture into, but he probably also scored the best defensive player in Broncos history in Von Miller. Bradley Chubb, Courtland Sutton, Justin Simmons and Garett Bolles are some other stars he has found, while the mist is too long to mention here.
But where Elway made his biggest impact was the free agency, no doubt. Peyton Manning is arguably the most important free agent signing in NFL history, and in 2013 he led the biggest offense in NFL history with the Broncos. but Elway continued to drive and trade in free trade, even after Manning retired in 2016.
Even with a decently talented team, the Broncos have missed the playoffs for the past five consecutive seasons. A move was now needed to be able to work a fresh set of eyes on this as a redevelopment project from the ground up.
Here are three things we know about Elway’s move and how it will affect the Broncos this off-season:
The Broncos will soon have a new GM
Elway’s title was vice president of football operations and he also took over as GM a few years ago. But now, while head coach Vic Fangio and the new GM will report to Elway, the general manager will make all the draft decisions and free agency decisions.
It is likely to be massive in three areas.
In the free agency, Elway likes veterans like Manning, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, Bryce Callahan, and the list goes on. But the Broncos have not made very big deals since 2010.
In the draft, Elway missed more first-round picks than he hit, and he also gambled in the middle rounds. What he did really well was find unsuspecting free agents. CJ Anderson, Chris Harris Jr., Phillip Lindsay; the Broncos have enjoyed many entrees that have been undefeated for the past decade.
In the end, Elway was loyal to his doctors. The Broncos currently have a bunch of limited and unrestricted free agencies. The new GM will have to decide whether to sign or resume. Justin Simmons, Lindsay, Shelby Harris and Alexander Johnson are a few. Plus, Von Miller and Kareem Jackson have team options. In fact, it’s a perfect situation for a new GM, because they can start all over again next year and with a good amount of headroom ($ 11 million) next year.
And we have no real idea what the new GM will do in terms of concept strategy or in free agency. It should therefore be a wild ride during the season.
Denver decides to stick with Vic Fangio for now
It’s not that the Broncos have, so to speak, chosen Fangio over Elway, but Fangio will have input on staff decisions with the new GM. He will be more involved daily than Elway, and he is likely to remain in his position in 2021.
That’s already the case, and even if some fans want him fired, he should not be. Fangio’s defense was strong and sometimes amazing. He found players like Mike Purcell and Alexander Johnson, who elevate them to beginners and make them flourish in the role.
Offensively, the team left a lot to be desired, even though they did improve the season. And special teams have been terrible for years, so there’s enough for Fangio and the team to improve on. Including his timeout management.
If they miss the playoffs again in 2021, Fangio’s third year, the new GM could decide to move on. But let’s see how it goes in Year 3.
Drew Lock’s future is not as secure as yesterday
Lock would be the starter in 2021, at least to start the year, with Elway mentioning the shots. It’s not so sure now.
Like Fangio, Lock will go his third year this season with the Broncos, and the off-season should be much easier to navigate if and when COVID-19 disappears this summer.
But what will the new GM think of Lock’s contradictory game? Will he see the NFL low completion percentage (57.3), the NFL high 15 interceptions and the low 75.4 passer rating and does he believe better with another QB? Or will the new GM see the improvement at the end of this season and give it the start of fall?
It’s possible the new GM could make a big deal – as for Matt Stafford – or he could sign a veteran like Andy Dalton, Gardner Minshew or Nick Foles to compete with Lock and push the youngster.
Anything is possible in Broncos Country and changing the fact that Elway leaves the staffing decisions to a newcomer is one of the most exciting seasons in many years here.