Unraveling the Decisions Behind Denver’s Quarterback Quandary
Assembling the pieces of an NFL franchise’s success or failure is a complex and often scrutinized endeavor. For the Denver Broncos, the post-Peyton Manning era has been a rollercoaster of quarterback instability, culminating in a series of decisions that have left fans and analysts alike questioning the path taken by then-General Manager John Elway.
John Elway, widely celebrated for his illustrious career as the Broncos' quarterback, stepped into a front-office role in 2011 as the director of player personnel and was soon promoted to executive vice president of football operations in 2012. His tenure as GM saw an initial burst of success, boasting a 64-26 record over his first five seasons, including a Super Bowl win in the 2015 season. However, the tides turned dramatically in his final five seasons, ending with a less-than-stellar 32-48 record and an end to his role following the 2020 season.
Arguably, one of the most pivotal and scrutinized decisions made during Elway’s tenure was the 2018 NFL draft. Holding the fifth overall pick, Elway and the Broncos selected Bradley Chubb, a highly-touted pass rusher from NC State. At the time, Elway's confidence in his quarterback situation led him away from what, in hindsight, appears to be a missed opportunity. Despite having high hopes for then-quarterback Case Keenum, Elway’s choice to pass on Josh Allen, who was selected by the Buffalo Bills, became a focal point of debate.
Initially, it wasn't an unfounded decision. Elway’s previous quarterback pickings, including the drafting of Paxton Lynch in 2016, ended poorly as Lynch started only four games before his release in 2018. The confidence in Keenum, combined with the perceived need to bolster the defense, guided Elway's hand. However, Bradley Chubb’s tenure with the Broncos was marred by health issues, and he eventually was traded to the Miami Dolphins.
John Elway reflects on this crucial decision with a blend of candidness and regret. "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 openly admitted.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen flourished with the Buffalo Bills, establishing himself as a franchise quarterback. His rise only underscored the growing instability in Denver, where the Broncos cycled through 13 different starting quarterbacks since Manning's retirement. This carousel at the quarterback position undeniably played a significant role in the team's failure to secure a playoff spot post their 2015 Super Bowl triumph.
Analyzing the trajectory of the Broncos post-Manning, it's clear that the quarterback position was a sore spot that Elway and the front office struggled to mend. The missteps, the high hopes dashed, and the what-ifs surrounding quarterbacks such as Josh Allen form a complex tapestry of decision-making that ultimately spelled Elway’s demise as the Broncos' GM.
In the high-stakes world of NFL management, each draft pick and player decision can pivot a team toward success or set them back years. For John Elway and Denver Broncos faithful, the Josh Allen-Bradley Chubb decision will stand as one of those pivotal moments, a what-could-have-been that emphasizes both the difficulty and importance of making the right calls in the quest for lasting success.