After more than a decade in the front office and 16 seasons as a player for the Denver Broncos, John Elway’s contract with the team has come to an end.
According to a report made by NFL Network, Elway’s consulting contract with the Broncos came to an end at the end of the league year last month, and the team will not be renewing it.
Palmer added Elway continuing on from the Horses had been arranged – – from the two sides – – for some time.
“I’ve enjoyed the relationship with the Broncos for a long, long time,” Elway, 62, said in an interview Tuesday with 9NEWS. “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 [CEO] Greg [Penner] or [general manager] George [Paton] if I can.”
Elway was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after leading the Broncos to five Super Bowls and two victories during his playing career, which spanned from 1983 to 1998.
The rocket-armed quarterback returned to the team’s front office after a successful career in Denver. From 2011 to 2020, he served as director of player personnel, general manager, and executive vice president of football operations. Five playoff appearances, two berths in the Super Bowl, and one victory in the Super Bowl were the fruits of Elway’s tenure as general manager.
However, Elway transferred responsibility for day-to-day operations in January 2021, following a playoff-less stretch from 2016 to 2020. In 2021, Elway held the position of president of football operations, and Paton took over as general manager. Elway was a consultant during the previous season, and the team website still lists him as such.
Elway, the most famous and well-known Bronco, returned to the team in 2011 as director of player personnel before taking on the roles of general manager and executive vice president, assisting in the franchise’s return to its former glory.
One of the most significant free-agent signings in league history, he was instrumental in building a winning team and signing quarterback Peyton Manning. The team, on the other hand, has struggled to establish itself since Manning and the team’s acclaimed defense won Super Bowl 50.
Since that 2015 campaign, the Broncos haven’t made the playoffs, and even a trade for Russell Wilson hasn’t helped them find a good Manning replacement.
This could be a historic departure for Elway, who had previously retreated with the franchise. However, he assured Klis that he would always be available in case of need.
“I’ll still be around as a resource,” Elway said. “I’ve been with the Denver Broncos for so long that it was nice to have some sort of connection which is what I wanted. I didn’t want an obligation. I’m getting a little older, I want to be able to do some things I haven’t done. I’m ready to have a flexible schedule. If there’s something I can help them with I’d do that.”