Why John Elway made the right call retaining Vance Joseph

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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Paxton Lynch #12 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The QB situation

The Denver Broncos’ average quarterback rating in their 11 losses?

61.6.

The Denver Broncos’ average quarterback rating in their five wins?

97.5.

Do you think John Elway needs to look any further than this to see that the problem with this Broncos team is not solely on his head coach?

The Broncos simply needed above average quarterback play in most of their games this season in order to win and likely be a playoff contender.

There were times that the Broncos looked like one of the worst coached teams in the NFL. During their eight game losing streak, I wrote as much. But you cannot win in the NFL with that bad of quarterback play in 11 games.

Not even with a defense that ranked top five against the run and pass, and has the most lethal pass rusher in the game.

Other NFL teams have proven that strong quarterback play does not always equal wins — Josh McCown’s rating this season for the 5-11 Jets (who were shut out by Denver) was 94.5.

Kirk Cousins, expected to be a highly pursued free agent, finished with a quarterback rating of 93.9.

The Broncos’ average rating in victories is skewed ever so slightly by the near 113 number posted in a week two victory over the Dallas Cowboys. No other week was their QB rating higher than 91.

That’s a significant statistic to remember, because most of that is out of Vance Joseph’s control. That is on Elway for picking the crop of quarterbacks to put out on the field.

Elway obviously recognizes that, and feels Joseph deserves a chance to prove what he can do if/when given a favorable situation at quarterback.

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