Assembling the pieces of an NFL franchise’s success or failure is a complex and often scrutinized endeavor. For John Elway, the former general manager of the Denver Broncos, this process has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.
Elway's Draft Decisions
In the 2018 NFL draft, Elway made a pivotal decision that would haunt him for years. With the fifth overall pick, he opted for Bradley Chubb, a pass rusher from NC State, passing on quarterback Josh Allen. This choice came at a time when Elway had high hopes vested in Case Keenum as the team's leading passer.
Reflecting on this decision, Elway 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."
Quarterback Woes
Elway’s tenure has been significantly marred by instability at the quarterback position. Since the retirement of Peyton Manning following the Broncos’ Super Bowl win in the 2015 season, the team has cycled through a staggering 13 different starting quarterbacks. This lack of continuity has played a large role in the team’s failure to return to the playoffs since that championship season.
Elway had previously drafted Paxton Lynch in 2016, but Lynch's career was anything but stellar. Starting only four games, Lynch ultimately was released in 2018, another quarterback gamble that didn’t pay off.
Chubb's Health Issues
Bradley Chubb, the player chosen over Allen, had his own challenges. Despite showing promise, Chubb struggled with health issues during his time in Denver and was eventually traded to the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, Josh Allen has flourished with the Buffalo Bills, emerging as one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
A Tale of Two Halves
Elway's tenure as a general manager can be divided into two distinct halves. He rejoined the Broncos in 2011 as the director of player personnel and was named executive vice president of football operations in 2012. In his first five seasons, Elway’s record was an impressive 64-26. These years included Super Bowl 50, where the Broncos secured a resounding victory, capping off a period of success.
However, the subsequent five seasons brought a stark contrast. Elway's record plummeted to 32-48, reflecting the difficulties the team faced, particularly at the quarterback position. His decision-making prowess, once highly regarded, came under scrutiny as the franchise struggled to rediscover its earlier success.
End of an Era
John Elway stepped away from his role following the 2020 season, marking the end of an era for the Broncos. His legacy is a blend of high peaks and challenging valleys, underscored by key decisions that shaped the trajectory of the franchise.
Assembling an NFL franchise’s success is indeed a complex and scrutinized endeavor, and for John Elway, the highs included a Super Bowl win and the lows a series of missed opportunities and revolving doors at the quarterback position. Reflecting on his tenure, Elway's acknowledgment of his "biggest mistake" serves as a reminder of the challenging decisions and the unforgiving nature of professional sports management.