Assembling the pieces of an NFL franchise’s success or failure is a complex and often scrutinized endeavor. For the Denver Broncos and their legendary general manager John Elway, this has certainly been the case over the past decade. Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback himself, made several pivotal decisions during his tenure, some of which continue to be the subject of analysis and debate among fans and pundits alike.
Draft Decisions
One of the most talked-about decisions in recent Broncos history revolves around the 2018 NFL draft. With the fifth overall pick, John Elway opted for Bradley Chubb, a pass rusher from NC State, while passing on quarterback Josh Allen. At the time, Elway had high hopes pinned on Case Keenum, whom he had recently signed to solidify the team's quarterback position. Compounding the expectations from the Chubb selection, Elway had earlier drafted Paxton Lynch in 2016, aiming to groom him as the franchise's quarterback of the future.
The Lynch experiment, however, fell apart quickly. The young quarterback managed to start only four games before his eventual release in 2018. Lynch’s rapid decline underscored the difficulties Elway faced in stabilizing the quarterback position post-Peyton Manning’s retirement after the team’s Super Bowl win in the 2015 season.
Bradley Chubb's Challenges
Bradley Chubb, while initially showing promise, struggled with health issues during his time in Denver, eventually leading to his trade to the Miami Dolphins. Chubb's potential to be a dominant force on the defensive front was evident, but his inconsistency and injuries hindered his ability to make a lasting impact for the Broncos.
Josh Allen's Rise
Meanwhile, the quarterback Elway passed on, Josh Allen, has flourished with the Buffalo Bills. Allen's rise to stardom has only amplified the scrutiny of Elway's draft choices during his tenure as the Broncos' general manager. Elway himself has acknowledged this oversight. "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 Instability
Since Manning's retirement, the Broncos have cycled through 13 different starting quarterbacks, a telling statistic depicting the instability that has plagued the franchise. This revolving door at quarterback is a significant reason the Broncos have failed to make the playoffs since their Super Bowl triumph in 2015. The pressure to find a capable and consistent signal-caller has been an ongoing challenge, leaving the team in a state of flux.
Elway's Tenure
John Elway's career in the Broncos' front office is a tale of two halves. Rejoining the Broncos in 2011 as the director of player personnel before being named executive vice president of football operations in 2012, Elway’s initial years as general manager were marked by significant success. His record during his first five seasons was an impressive 64-26, a period that included two Super Bowl appearances and one victory. However, the following five seasons saw a stark downturn, with a record of 32-48. This decline, accentuated by failed quarterback experiments and missed draft opportunities, eventually led to Elway stepping away from his role following the 2020 season.
In retrospect, Elway’s legacy as an executive is a mixed one. His early success and the Super Bowl victory solidified his place in Broncos history, but the latter years of struggle, particularly in terms of quarterback management, dampened the overall perception of his tenure. The decision to pass on Josh Allen, in particular, serves as a notable point of reflection for both Elway and the franchise as they seek to rebuild and recapture former glories.
Evaluating Elway’s tenure offers a comprehensive view of the difficulties in managing an NFL team and highlights the critical importance of decision-making in the draft, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. While Elway's time with the Broncos front office was characterized by both high peaks and deep troughs, it ultimately underscores the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of professional football management.