Assembling the pieces of an NFL franchise's success or failure is a complex and often scrutinized endeavor. Few know this better than John Elway, who served as the general manager of the Denver Broncos. Elway’s tenure involved a series of critical decisions—some that led to triumphs and others that became points of regret.
Elway's Draft Choices and Impact
One of the pivotal moments during Elway’s time as general manager came in the 2018 NFL draft. With the fifth overall pick, Elway passed on the opportunity to draft quarterback Josh Allen, opting instead for Bradley Chubb, a pass rusher from NC State. At that moment, Elway’s decision reflected his high hopes for Case Keenum, around whom he sought to build the team's offense.
However, in the long run, Chubb's tenure in Denver didn’t pan out as ideally as expected. Initially showing promise, Chubb struggled with health issues, which limited his impact on the field. Eventually, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, and the Broncos lost the potential defensive cornerstone they had hoped for.
Conversely, Josh Allen, who Elway passed on, went on to flourish with the Buffalo Bills, evolving into one of the league's standout quarterbacks. This contrast only highlighted the gravity and long-term repercussions of those draft-day decisions.
Reflecting on the 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."
The Quarterback Carousel in Denver
Beyond the 2018 draft, Elway's decisions in earlier drafts also became pivotal talking points. Notably, in 2016, he selected Paxton Lynch, who was envisioned as the future of the franchise. However, Lynch's stint with the team was short-lived; he started only four games before his release in 2018. This misstep, compounded with the decision on Chubb, intensified the Broncos' search for a stable quarterback.
Since the retirement of icon Peyton Manning after their Super Bowl win in the 2015 season, Denver has faced a glaring instability at the quarterback position. The Broncos have cycled through 13 different starting quarterbacks, an alarming rate that speaks volumes about their ongoing struggles to find a long-term solution. This instability has been a fundamental reason for the Broncos failing to make the playoffs since their 2015 triumph.
Elway's Tenure: A Tale of Two Halves
John Elway rejoined the Broncos in 2011 as the director of player personnel and was promoted to executive vice president of football operations in 2012. His early years were marked by success; under his management, the team boasted a 64-26 record in his first five seasons. These years were highlighted by consistent playoff appearances and culminated in the Super Bowl 50 victory.
However, the latter half of Elway’s tenure told a different story. Over his final five seasons, the Broncos’ record was a less impressive 32-48. This decline underscored the struggles in finding a consistent quarterback and the challenges the team faced in maintaining competitiveness.
After a decade marked by high peaks and challenging troughs, Elway stepped away from his role following the 2020 season, leaving behind a legacy filled with remarkable achievements and haunting what-ifs.
Final Thoughts
While John Elway’s career as a general manager had its share of notable successes and unforgettable gaffes, it also serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of building an NFL team. His capacity to steer the Broncos to greatness cannot be ignored, yet the decisions that followed Peyton Manning’s retirement illustrate the difficulty and pressure surrounding quarterback selections. With Elway no longer at the helm, the Broncos continue their quest for stability and a return to the glory days of their yesteryears.