Predominantly Orange
FanSided

5 messiest divorces in Broncos team history

By Travis Wakeman

DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver Colorado. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver Colorado. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

What are some of the most notable separations the Denver Broncos have ever seen?

While things in Denver have perhaps never been as messy as what has gone on this offseason between the Cleveland Browns and Baker Mayfield, history tells us that the Broncos, like all professional sports teams, have had their fair share of bad breakups.

The Broncos have a rich, successful history that includes three Super Bowl championships and some of the greatest players in NFL history including John Elway, Terrell Davis, Peyton Manning and Von Miller.

But as is the case with anything that has been around for an extended period of time, it can’t all be positive.

The Broncos have parted ways with several players and coaches under terms that were not the greatest. Here are the five such situations that stand out the most.

Messiest divorces in Broncos history: The sudden “retirement” of Eddie Kennison

Denver Broncos
14 Oct 2001: Eddie Kennison #85 of the Denver Broncos moves down the field with the ball during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 34-21. /

Many fans may not even recall the time that wide receiver Eddie Kennison spent in Denver as it was over so quickly.

A first-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 1996, Kennison got off to a solid start in his career before signing a two-year deal with the Broncos ahead of the 2001 season.

It appeared the Broncos had found a perfect No. 3 receiver to fit behind Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey. But when McCaffrey went down in the season opener in 2001, Kennison slid into a bigger role.

And he simply did not perform well.

In eight games, he caught just 15 passes. Then suddenly, the night before a Week 9 game against the Chargers, Kennison asked the team to release him. He stated personal family issues and that he had lost his love for the game as his reasoning.

But that’s not what makes this one messy.

Less than one month later, Kennison would return to the league, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs to the absolute dismay of an irate Mike Shanahan at the time.

Kennison would spend the next seven seasons with the Chiefs. Whatever his real reasons for wanting out of Denver have never been made public.

Home/Broncos History