Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Grading George Paton’s first year as Broncos GM

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 31, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos general manager George Paton before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos general manager George Paton before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Denver Broncos, Vic Fangio
Dec 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio reacts during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Firing of Vic Fangio, hiring of Nathaniel Hackett

There were actually reports following the season that the Broncos may keep Vic Fangio around. Thank goodness those were not true because he had more than worn out his welcome and Paton was right to recognize that.

The Broncos were going nowhere with Fangio and change was absolutely necessary. It was also admirable that Paton conducted such a widespread head coaching search, interviewing 10 known candidates for the open vacancy before settling on Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

It remains to be seen whether or not that was a good move, but it’s certainly an exciting one. The trend in today’s NFL is to bring in young, offensive-minded head coaches and that is what Paton did with this hire.

Grade: A

Broncos Country should be quite encouraged entering the 2022 offseason. Paton is a general manager who displays a high football acumen as well as an ambitious side that is not afraid to make tough and maybe even risky moves for the betterment of his football team.

Year one was a success for Paton and we can only hope that year two is even more fruitful.

Overall Grade: B+

Home/Broncos News