John

Elway

“I don’t have the desire to climb another mountain again,” Elway said in a recent interview with Denver Gazette’s Woody Paige. Speaking directly about his time with the Broncos, Elway stated “it was time to step aside and let all the new people take over.” Now 62, Elway appears ready to turn his attention to his other businesses after spending 28 of the previous 40 years attached to the Broncos. He exits football with three championships, two as a player and one as a general manager.

Elway, who served as Denver’s general manager and executive vice president of football operations from 2011 to 2020, worked last year as a consultant for GM George Paton. The team confirmed this week that Elway’s contract ran out at the start of the new leagues year and he would not be contractually connected to the Broncos in 2023. “I’ve enjoyed the relationship with the Broncos for a long, long time,’’ said Elway, 62. “I told Greg I’d be happy to be a resource for him and help in any way that I can. I just wanted the flexibility. They’re in great hands. I still plan on being around to watch and be a resource for Greg or George, if I can.’’ After early success with Elway as GM -- including two Super Bowl appearances -- the Broncos failed to qualify for the postseason in Elway’s final five years in the job. The Denver legend could catch on with another team in an advisory role.

“I interviewed Brian in good faith, giving him the same consideration and opportunity as every other candidate for our head coaching position in 2019,” Elway said, blaming his apparently “disheveled” state on an overnight flight. The denials continue to be extremely strong by accused parties in the Flores lawsuit. This is going to be one of the dominant stories of the NFL offseason. Both sides are girding for war.

It’s a major change within the organization, forcing Elway to hire a general manager after 10 years in that role. Elway himself will stay on as President of Football Operations and work closely with coach Vic Fangio. Although the life-long Broncos exec will still have an input, whomever Elway hires will reportedly have the last word on the draft, free agency and Denver’s roster. This move also ensures Fangio, who will be involved in the process, returns in 2021. Expect Denver’s quarterback situation to be one of the first areas addressed in 2021.

The team’s top two executives will be away from the team while they recover from the virus. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the team is confident the virus transmissions happened outside the team facility. Still, fantasy players should keep tabs on the Broncos’ COVID testing results in the coming days. Denver is slated to play Falcons on Sunday.

He already had “final say” over the organization, but the GM title locks that in. Under Elway, the Broncos have reached the playoffs in three straight seasons, including 2011 with Tim Tebow at quarterback. Elway inherited a team that finished 4-12 under Josh McDaniels in 2010. Elway has hit homerun after homerun in free agency (Peyton Manning, Louis Vasquez, Terrance Knighton, Wes Welker, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) while also excelling in the draft (Sylvester Williams, Montee Ball, Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan, Von Miller, Julius Thomas). He’s now under contract through 2017.

“We’re continuing to work at it,” Elway said. “I don’t see any problems with that. I look forward to being here with the Broncos for a long time.” Elway added there is not “any doubt” the new deal will get done before the season. The Broncos are 67-29 since Elway joined the organization in 2011.

Elway’s contract runs out after this season. Paige reports a new deal “could be finalized” this week and should be announced before training camp begins July 27. The Denver Post’s Nicki Jhabvala reports “no deal is imminent,” however, while Denver 7’s Troy Renck reports the two sides “still have work to do.” Whether it is this week or in a month, there is little doubt Elway will sign a rich extension in the near future.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal will make Elway the NFL’s highest-paid general manager. The head of Denver’s football operations since 2011, Elway has overseen five straight winning records amid heavy coaching and quarterback turnover, going from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning and Trevor Siemian, as well as John Fox to Gary Kubiak and now Vance Joseph. Elway’s drafts and free agent moves had spectacular results to begin his tenure, although his recent drafts haven’t been quite as strong. Nevertheless, Elway is extremely respected in Denver and throughout the Broncos’ organization. He’s more than earned a multi-year rope while the Broncos determine if 2016 first-round QB Paxton Lynch can become a franchise solution.

Elway said Denver is open to moving both up or down in the draft. He also added that if the Broncos do stand pat at No. 5, the team will select the best player available, regardless of position. The expectation all along has been that Denver would choose a quarterback at No. 5. There’s still a good chance of that happening, though obviously Elway isn’t ready to tip his hand. If the Broncos are truly open for business at No. 5, the quarterback-needy Bills would be wise to place a call into Elway.