Assembling the pieces of an NFL franchise's success or failure is a complex and often scrutinized endeavor. Nowhere is this more evident than in the story of John Elway and the Denver Broncos.
Leadership and Decision-Making
John Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback, rejoined the Broncos in 2011, starting as the director of player personnel before being named executive vice president of football operations in 2012. Under his leadership, the Broncos initially flourished, with an impressive 64-26 record over his first five seasons. The crowning achievement was their Super Bowl victory following the 2015 season, thanks largely to the leadership of quarterback Peyton Manning.
However, since Manning's retirement, the Broncos have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position. This has been a significant factor in their inability to return to the playoffs. Over the years, they have cycled through 13 different starting quarterbacks, a sign of ongoing instability and indecision at the most critical position on the team.
The 2018 NFL Draft: A Turning Point
One of the most scrutinized decisions of Elway's tenure came during the 2018 NFL Draft. With the fifth overall pick, Elway selected Bradley Chubb, a promising pass rusher from NC State. At that time, he had high hopes vested in quarterback Case Keenum, whom he believed could stabilize the position.
However, the decision to pass on quarterback Josh Allen, who was eventually drafted by the Buffalo Bills, has become a focal point of critique. While Chubb has shown flashes of potential, his career in Denver was marred by health issues, and he was eventually traded to the Miami Dolphins.
A Missed Opportunity
On the other hand, Josh Allen has flourished with the Buffalo Bills, developing into one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. This decision by Elway is regarded as one of the biggest missed opportunities of his tenure. Elway himself reflected on this when he shared a story from a golf game with Allen. "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 admitted.
Quarterback Carousel
The 2018 draft wasn’t Elway’s first quarterback gamble. In 2016, he drafted Paxton Lynch, hoping he would be the heir apparent to Peyton Manning. However, Lynch started only four games before his release in 2018, another decision that failed to pan out for the franchise.
The inability to find a long-term solution at quarterback has haunted the Broncos, correlating directly with their lack of playoff appearances since their Super Bowl win. This instability at the position has overshadowed other roster improvements and strategic decisions made by the team.
The Final Years and Legacy
In his final five seasons as general manager, Elway's record stood at 32-48, a stark contrast to the success of his earlier years. After enduring multiple subpar seasons and continuing struggles at quarterback, Elway stepped away from his role following the 2020 season.
Despite the recent years of difficulty and missed opportunities, Elway’s legacy with the Broncos remains significant. His early successes, capped by a Super Bowl win, are undeniable. However, the challenges that followed in securing a franchise quarterback have left a lasting impact on the team's fortunes and his tenure.
The story of John Elway and the Denver Broncos is a testament to the complexities of building and maintaining an NFL franchise. The decisions made at pivotal moments can reverberate for years, highlighting the delicate balance between success and failure in professional sports.