John Elway’s tenure back Denver Broncos was merciful sent to the glue factory Wednesday, and he can now add “counselor” to “side”general manager” and “Super Bowl-winning quarterback” to a list of previous roles busy for the organization. Fortunately for Donkos fans, Elway was out before he could draft seven more 6-foot-7 quarterbacks and make the ring the team won under him even more paltry.
The Super Bowl 50 win/Peyton Manning moment was one of the few indications that Elway was good at his job, but it was more than enough to maintain his deification in the eyes of Coloradans. Now Denver can focus on trying to revive Russell Wilson and Broncos country, and fans can go back to ignoring Elway’s politics.
I’m never in favor of franchises or schools hiring hometown heroes to right the ship, because very few can represent the fairytale finish they did as players, and more often than not. meeting your heroes is a terrible idea. It’s one of those rare cases where it mostly succeeds, despite the groans we’ve heard from Broncos fans since Manning’s retirement.
Elway wasn’t the only GM to whisper about QBs
Denver was one of the first franchises to successfully wrest the title from an aging super QB. Tampa Bay was able to do it with Tom Brady before he left, and while Matthew Stafford may have a lot less in the tank than we previously thought, he had the juice to bring it on. Los Angeles tournament.
Denver has less success with the old QB strategy this time around, but that may be more on Wilson than the roster Elway helped build. Aside from a consistently reliable offensive line, the team has had its share of talent over the last eight or so years, especially on defense. Last year was no different, even leading up to it obvious cracks as the defense carried the offense.
While this move was telegraphed when ownership changed Elway’s title to consultant in 2022, I’m shocked he lasted as long as he did. NFL success depends on who is under center, and every option since 2016 has been a colossal failure, and I’m not just saying that because of Elway’s obsession.
Here are all the quarterbacks not named Manning to start games during the Elway front office era: Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, Trevor Semien, Drew Lock, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler. There are even a few games in there with Brett Rypien and Brandon Allen, and not to forget Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton.
I enjoy a few tall jokes at Elway’s expense as much as the next cheeky internet writer, so I’m excited to point out that Denver used a first- or second-round pick on Locke, Osweiler and Lynch. The three are a combined 25-31 in their NFL careers, none are still in Denver, only one is still in the league, and he lost the QB battle to Geno Smith last offseason.
Regardless, if you look at the quarterbacks Denver had a shot at in those years, 2012, 2016 and 2019, Elway’s only glaring miss was Lynch over Dak Prescott. Personally, I’d take Prescott, but that’s because I value college success over someone with an NFL body and would have been sacked 18 times for my choice of QBs.
Elway’s front office career is textbook, two things can be true at once. Yes, he brought Denver a title and a talented roster, but the one thing every successful team demands, he failed to provide after Manning’s retirement.
I know it’s unfortunate that Russ couldn’t “win for John”, but Elway should be grateful that his collection of Denver Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships will still be looked upon fondly and not as if they belong to the guy. who runs Donkos in the dirt.