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Denver Broncos: The latest head coaching rumors and theories

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos stands not he field during the national anthem before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos stands not he field during the national anthem before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI , OH – SEPTEMBER 7: Head coach Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos smiles during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Paul Brown Stadium on September 7, 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Bengals 30-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI , OH – SEPTEMBER 7: Head coach Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos smiles during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Paul Brown Stadium on September 7, 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Bengals 30-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

What do the Shanahan rumors reveal?

If John Elway was seriously considering Mike Shanahan as his head coach as of less than a year ago, what does this tell us?

There are a number of moves throughout Elway’s history as a general manager and decision-maker that indicate a pretty clear preference for experience versus the alternative. It doesn’t get any more experienced on the free agent coaching market than the 66-year old Shanahan.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to Broncos fans, but Elway prefers known commodities in almost every area versus unknown commodities.

That’s why he went so hard after Peyton Manning in 2012. It’s why his first hire at head coach was John Fox. It’s why he brought Gary Kubiak in to put the team over the top. There are a variety of moves that indicate Elway’s preference for known commodities throughout his time with the team and the decision to really pursue Shanahan to this degree indicates that the Broncos’ next head coach is going to likely be someone with experience.

Take that for what it is — a theory. Elway has some predictive tendencies and when he’s gone out of the realm of comfortability and experience (Paxton Lynch, Vance Joseph, etc.) he has failed. When he has gone with his gut and guys who have experience (Fox, Kubiak, DeMarcus Ware, Peyton Manning, etc.) it has worked out more often than not.

I think we can safely expect an experienced head coach to come in.

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