John Elway’s Rollercoaster Tenure with the Denver Broncos
Assembling the pieces of an NFL franchise's success or failure is a complex and often scrutinized endeavor. Few have experienced this more pointedly than John Elway during his tenure as the general manager of the Denver Broncos. While Elway's early years with the team were marked by significant triumphs, his later decisions, particularly those surrounding the quarterback position, have been the subject of much debate and reflection.
One of the most contentious points in Elway’s career came during the 2018 NFL draft. The Broncos, holding the fifth overall pick, were in a position to select one of the potentially transformative quarterbacks available. Despite this, Elway passed on Josh Allen, a quarterback who has since flourished with the Buffalo Bills. Instead, he opted for Bradley Chubb, a pass rusher from NC State. At the time, Elway had high hopes for the Broncos’ new quarterback, Case Keenum.
Reflecting on this decision later, Elway candidly admitted, "Last year I played [golf] with him and I'm wondering, 'How long is it going to take him to realize that I passed on him and took Bradley Chubb instead?' And it took him two and a half holes. And I loved him. But it just didn't work out. He was my type. That was probably my biggest mistake of my GM days, was not taking Josh."
Elway’s situation was further complicated by his previous quarterback decisions. In 2016, he had drafted Paxton Lynch in hopes of securing a long-term answer for the position. However, Lynch started only four games before his eventual release in 2018, a clear indication that he had not met the franchise’s expectations. This revolving door at the quarterback position was symptomatic of larger issues within the team. Since Peyton Manning’s retirement following the 2015 season, the Broncos have cycled through 13 different starting quarterbacks, with the instability at this position being a significant reason for their failure to make the playoffs in subsequent years.
Chubb, the player Elway chose over Allen, also faced his challenges. Despite showing flashes of promise, Chubb struggled with health issues throughout his time in Denver and was eventually traded to the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, Allen has developed into one of the league's elite quarterbacks, leading the Bills to multiple playoff appearances and establishing himself as a cornerstone of their franchise.
Elway's tenure with the Broncos wasn't without its highlights. Rejoining the team in 2011 as the director of player personnel, he was elevated to executive vice president of football operations in 2012. His early years in these roles were highly successful; the Broncos compiled a record of 64-26 in his first five seasons, including a victory in Super Bowl 50. However, the success didn’t sustain. Over his final five seasons, the team’s record was a less impressive 32-48, highlighting the difficulties and transitions the team endured in the post-Manning era.
In stepping away from his role following the 2020 season, Elway left behind a legacy both celebrated and critiqued. His early achievements in building a Super Bowl-winning team are undeniable, yet his later struggles in making critical personnel decisions, especially at quarterback, defined much of his tenure's latter years.
The story of John Elway and the Denver Broncos underscores the intricacies and high-stakes nature of NFL management. Great decisions can propel a franchise to glory, while missteps, sometimes only evident in hindsight, can have lasting ramifications. As the Broncos continue to seek stability and success, the lessons from Elway’s era remain a poignant reminder of the challenges faced at the pinnacle of professional football.