The Broncos’ search for a general manager enters its second week Tuesday and no hire is imminent after weekend interviews with five candidates.
Executives Champ Kelly (Chicago), George Paton (Minnesota), Terry Fontenot (New Orleans) and Brian Stark (Broncos) remain in the mix after video chats. New England’s Dave Ziegler dropped out to remain with the Patriots.
The search could go several directions: A second round of video interviews with the aforementioned quartet and bringing one of them to Denver for an in-person meeting is possible, or the team might reach out to additional candidates. The search is being led by president/CEO Joe Ellis and president of football operations/outgoing general manager John Elway. Coach Vic Fangio has also participated.
A week ago, it seemed like the Broncos were in a time crunch because they were one of seven teams seeking a general manager (Jacksonville, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Carolina and Washington). But only the Texans (Nick Caserio) have filled their vacancy, allowing the Broncos and other teams to equal parts follow-up with previous interviews or add candidates to their list.
The Broncos can offer what the Jaguars, Panthers and Washington potentially can’t: The hammer that is final personnel say. And the new general manager won’t have to lead a coaching search like those taking over the Texans, Falcons and Lions.
Whether it’s Kelly or Paton, Fontenot or the long-shot Stark, they will face the same five issues, however. A look:
1. Quarterback
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock watches from the sidelines as the clock ticks down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 25, 2020 in Denver.Does the general manager want to acquire a challenger to Drew Lock or fortify the backup spot? The Broncos’ hand-picked No. 2 in 2020, Jeff Driskel, didn’t work out. He was functional in a relief role during the Week 2 loss at Pittsburgh, but was benched for the final drive of the Week 3 loss against Tampa Bay. Brett Rypien served as the No. 2 for the rest of the year and merits a role on the roster. But an upgrade is required so the offense doesn’t fall off the rails if Lock is injured or is ineffective.
If we were the GM: Take advantage of Lock being on a second-round contract ($1,912,042 cap hit) to pursue Dallas’ Andy Dalton or the Los Angeles Chargers’ Tyrod Taylor.
2. Running back
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Phillip Lindsay (30) of the Denver Broncos runs for a first down against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of play at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020.Phillip Lindsay, off an injury-riddled season, is a restricted free agent. Melvin Gordon is likely to be suspended for the first three games due to his DUI arrest. And Royce Freeman is entering the final year of his contract. The Broncos’ running backs had only 29 explosive rushes (gain of at least 12 yards) out of 372 carries (7.8%) in 2020.
If we were the GM: A new GM may be a lifeline for Lindsay, speed up Gordon’s exit (one year left on his deal) and see the presence of a drafted back. Our stance on Lindsay is clear — don’t tender him, but don’t necessarily close the door on him, either. We would keep Gordon and Freeman and draft a running back in rounds 4-7.
3. Personnel staff
Rachel Woolf, Special to the Denver Post
Matt Russell, Broncos director of player personnel, poses in his office at Broncos Headquarters on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 in Centennial.Not only are the Broncos trying to replace Elway, they must find a No. 2 executive to succeed Matt Russell, who left the organization last week. It is a key hire because, if the set-up is similar to the Elway-Russell model, the general manager’s chief assistant will be responsible for many of the day-to-day duties organizing the pro and college scouting staffs.
If we were the GM: The contracts for most scouts run through the draft so much of the adding/subtracting would not happen until early May. But if the GM targets a chief assistant, getting them out of their contract (via promotion) could help the free-agent and draft efforts.
4. Impending free agents
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96) goes after Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) who scooped up the ball after dropping it on a hand off in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.The Broncos have three free agents who were regular starters in 2020: Safety Justin Simmons, defensive end Shelby Harris and right tackle Elijah Wilkinson. Simmons played ‘20 on the franchise tag and had five of the team’s 10 interceptions. Wilkinson replaced Ja’Wuan James, who opted out, before camp and returned late in the year from a shin injury. Harris was having a career season when it was derailed by COVID-19.
If we were the GM: It is much easier to retain Simmons via the franchise tag (and ideally, a long-term deal) than to find a replacement for him so we keep him, the same with Wilkinson, who can be a valuable swing player with experience at right tackle and guard. We would have a price point for Harris, who knows this is his first and final swing at the free agent can and may go for the highest offer.
5. Rebuilding the defense
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Troymaine Pope (35) of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Shelby Harris (96), Dre’Mont Jones (93), A.J. Johnson (45) DeShawn Williams (90) and Malik Reed (59) of the Denver Broncos during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020.On the Broncos’ 2021 books, the top four cap numbers are defensive players: Outside linebacker Von Miller ($22.125 million), safety Kareem Jackson ($12.82 million), defensive end Jurrell Casey ($11.87 million) and cornerback A.J. Bouye ($13.38 million). Problem is, they will all be 30 or older in the 2021 season, Miller/Casey are coming off injuries and Bouye will begin the new season with a two-game suspension. This defense needs to be rebuilt on the fly.
If we were the GM: Casey and Bouye are easy decisions to move on from, which will create more than $25 million in cap space. Miller is a little trickier. The new GM could say, “Vic has had only four games in two years with Miller and Bradley Chubb as his edge rushers,” and retain Miller. Jackson had a solid year and although he will be 33, deserves to return. In the draft, we would go cornerback, defensive end and safety with the first three picks.
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