Broncos GM George Paton is now sitting on heated seats
Denver Broncos General Manager George Paton has created a mess in Denver in his second season, and his seat warmer has just clicked to the “On” position. What we have in Denver is a total and utter disaster, and George Paton is the architect.
He was hired after the 2020 season and immediately got to work. His first draft appears to be a home run. Patrick Surtain II, Javonte Williams, Quinn Meinerz, Baron Browning, and Caden Sterns have all played meaningful football. Surtain might be a top-three cornerback, Williams is a top-seven running back, Meinerz is the best offensive lineman, Browning is the team’s most promising edge rusher, and Sterns is the second-best safety on the team.
Is Denver Broncos GM George Paton on the hot seat?
He also followed up his first draft with some nice picks in year two and some nice free agency hauls as well. His major move was trading for Russell Wilson at the beginning of the year. The Wilson trade gave the Broncos much-deserved attention for the roster that was assembled.
It was seen as one of the very best in football, and many called the Broncos serious playoff contenders. However, George Paton’s biggest mistake thus far was perhaps at the most important and consequential position: head coach.
Most General Managers in the NFL will get more than one chance to get the head coach right. It’s rare to see a GM get fired with a head coach unless the GM in question is on his second or even third hire.
Paton’s job is not in jeopardy of being lost, not yet at least. However, the seat has to feel a little bit warm. Now that the ownership group is situated, there should be some accountability for Paton’s mistakes.
It’s not that he’s a bad GM– in fact, he’s done a very nice job, but Nathaniel Hackett is not the man to lead this team, and George Paton and the people around him need to begin to get to work in making a list of possible replacements because the head coach will make or break his tenure.
There is also no connection between the ownership group and Hackett, so there could be increased pressure for Paton to act. The Denver Broncos’ troubled first-year head coach should be fired, and that should officially click “ON” the seat warmer for George Paton to get this franchise straightened out.