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How the Denver Broncos can get John Elway locked in long-term

By Sayre Bedinger

SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Denver Broncos general manager John Elway celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Denver Broncos general manager John Elway celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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How can the Denver Broncos sort out the contract situation with John Elway? We dive in and take a look at an option that should at least be on the table…

PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 05: General Manager and Executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos looks on from the sidelines during an NCAA football game between the Oregon State Beavers and Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 05: General Manager and Executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos looks on from the sidelines during an NCAA football game between the Oregon State Beavers and Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Is there anything John Elway can’t do?

When he turned pro in football, he had the option to go play baseball for the New York Yankees. After he demanded and was granted a trade by the Baltimore Colts to the Denver Broncos, he became a legend on the gridiron, and is considered arguably the best to ever play the game regardless of position.

He finished his playing career with two Super Bowl wins, countless awards and accolades, and was immediately successful in his post-playing career in the business world.

Just as he was called upon so many times in his playing days to save the Broncos in the clutch, he was called upon by Pat Bowlen in the darkest of times for the franchise after an embarrassing 4-12 season and cheating scandal.

Elway was tasked with building the Broncos into Super Bowl contenders, this time as an executive. His experience as a player helped shape his approach in the front office, and in Elway’s first year, the Broncos managed to win the AFC West and double their previous season victory total.

In 2012, Elway reeled in the biggest fish arguably in NFL free agency history, signing quarterback Peyton Manning who had been released by the Indianapolis Colts.

After signing Manning, the Broncos won three straight division titles and an AFC Championship. After suffering a brutal loss in the Super Bowl, Elway again adapted, stealing the model of the team that beat his in the Super Bowl and bringing in one of the best classes of free agents the league has seen in DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, and Emmanuel Sanders.

That group won a fourth and fifth division title, and another AFC Championship in 2015.

In the 2015-16 season, the Broncos won the Super Bowl and Elway dedicated the victory to owner Pat Bowlen, the man who will go down as one of the greatest owners in professional sports, and who dedicated the team’s first ever Super Bowl to Elway himself.

So I ask again — is there anything Elway can’t do?

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