This February it will have been four years since the Broncos were relevant. That was the last time we saw Manning throw a touchdown for them. A time when Von Miller was so dominant he made a few really good QB’s fall off to nowhere land. Man those were the days. Is it time for Elway to say goodbye? Now it is long in between just to get a win or see Miller get a sack. And let’s face it the problem was the same before Manning ever arrived.
Since 2015 the Broncos have done nothing but shoot in the dark at head coaches and players. the list of QB’s alone since then is a list of misses on Elway’s part.
Trevor Siemian ( Decent a solid QB but not a guy you can win a title with), Paxton Lynch ( Bust), Brock Osweiler ( Retired, ). Case Keenum (Way overrated and no help from his coach). Joe Flacco (Got that check and checked out), and Brandon Allen ( Got his one win) to finally Drew Lock ( could be the one). Several of these guys were inserted several times in the starting lineup, but still a 25-36 record to show for it.
And three of those wins are from two guys who never played or started before, Allen and Lock. These are just a few of the QB decisions that Elway has made over the past several years but it is not at all just a QB problem. He has tried over and over to draft a tight end, (although they have had injury problems at that spot) since Julius Thomas they have been searching for his replacement.
Other picks
I would get to the offensive line but I do not want this article to be a book. His drafting or adding of lineman has not exactly been any better than any other position. Okay, I take that back. He has had some success at the wide receiver position. The young man Sutton they think so highly of him they traded away their long-time WR’s in Sanders and Thomas. Plus Elway has gotten great deals for wideouts.
Crazy stat since he became the man in Denver again, Elway only drafted three linemen. Now each year he goes out in search of more but he never lands that lineman that can make a difference. So as of now, I say Von Miller, if you give him that one, was the best pick he has made in his eight years at the helm. I can add Chris Harris as an undrafted guy he picked up. But that would only be two with a possible three if Lock is the deal. It may be time for Elway to say goodbye.
The Legend
I am a guy from the city of Denver during the era of John Elway. Been there from the start. I went through the good ( the drive and SB wins) to the bad (All the SB losses). From the moment he took control against the Seahawks in that pre-season game and led them to a victory, he was a legend. There is just about anything we will forgive him for. His public drunkenness, his lack of caring for fans, and all the bowl losses. We forgave him and said, but it is Elway. When he took over the Broncos we felt, yes, this is it, we are back.
Even through all the bad moves in the last eight years, we still say, “Elway’s got this”, he will make us a winner. I believe it was when Brian Griese walked into the Broncos facility after being drafted. After seeing a big mural of Elway at the entrance, he stated, it was a very intimidating thing to look at every time you go to work. A hard person to live up too. I can only imagine that it is still the case to have Elway call you into the office as a QB in Denver.
Winning SB 50 was another great accomplishment and it only added to the legend as he now won one as an executive. But since then it has been rocky at best. His hiring of coaches will always be something that follows him. I will give him one thing, that he takes a shot on new head coaches, much like a bad burglar takes a shot at a well-guarded bank. Even for a legend, it is time for Elway to say goodbye. But he is Elway and he is our leader until he wants to go. Heck, I can see him owning the team before too long.
Why the Broncos should move on
All the reasons stated above, the good, the bad, are why he should go. I agree he was one of the greatest quarterbacks I ever saw play. What he did for the Broncos will never be forgotten. He is responsible for all the championships we have. He has been an okay executive up to this point. Can the organization afford to keep going at this pace? Hoping it gets better.
Pat Bowlen and Family deserve more. I know Pat loved Elway, that was obvious, but he would want what’s best for the organization as well. When you look at it the Broncos have been mediocre even before Elway was brought back. Let’s leave the time Manning was here out of it as that was a special situation. Although we know Elway was the reason Manning came to Denver. Either John needs to hire a different GM and let them do the job or they will stay a mediocre team.
The fans of the Broncos and the Bowlen family and the team itself deserves better. We are one of the proudest organizations in the NFL. Even from a far off distant view of this team, it is easy to see that a new man must run the show. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will always love what you did for the team. Take the time to enjoy the game from the stands. Be a fan again John as you are now and always be a part of Bronco country. But it is time for John Elway to say goodbye.
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