The Media’s Influences on John Elway: Leading To The Destruction of the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos and the media have always given John Elway praise. John Elway has won two Super Bowls as the Quarterback for the Denver Broncos, and one as a General Manager of the team. However, for the past five years, the Denver Broncos have not made it to the playoffs or have had a winning record due to the media’s influence on John Elway decision making.
As well as not giving him any harsh or great criticism for his free agency decisions. After the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl during the 2015–2016 season, Quarterback Peyton Manning retired, leaving a glaring hole for that position.
During that offseason, John Elway made some moves from the draft. Gaining acquisitions such as getting Running Back Devontae-Booker, Safety Justin Simmons, and Quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round. As well as getting Quarterback Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles in order to become a starter, but was benched for Trevor Siemian.
However, specifically getting Paxton Lynch was the major story at the time, as he was seen as the future quarterback for the team. According to CBS Sports, they graded John Elway a B+ for moving up to get him as the NO. 26th pick of the Draft. As well as other sources such as Fansided, originally giving Elway a B for his off-season performance.
However, the 2016–2017 season turned out very murky. The Denver Broncos went 9–7 throughout the season. However, they failed to make the playoffs and they were overall disappointing.
The Broncos offense was bad, with the 22nd ranked offense within the league. However, had one of the top five ranked defenses in the league at that time. The media glorified the teams defense, which gave grace to Elway as he was able to maintain a top ranked defense the year after winning a Super Bowl.
As great as that defense was, the main issue the media forgot to address was the offensive ineptitude to move down the field and score some points. Elway was eager to get a new head coach since Gary Kubiak retired after that season, meaning a fresh new start and scheme to the team, but mainly the offense.
During the 2017 offseason, John Elway decides to make a couple of moves to the coaching staff. For instance, hiring Vance Joseph as the new head coach of the organization. As well as hiring offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, defensive coordinator Joe Woods, and special teams coach Brock Olivo.
Vance Joseph didn’t have any prior experience as a head coach, but was a defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins the prior season. Many networks like ESPN praised Elway for making this move for the team. According to Will Cain, “this is exactly what the Broncos need. It may turn out that he may be a great head coach. But I think that John Elway needs him to be.”
As well as making Trevor Siemian one of the captains of the team. He would get his second opportunity to lead the team throughout the year and to prove himself to the organization. SB Nation called this decision a great decision as well as stating that “Trevor Siemian is the captain and has that Peyton Manning vibe.”
They commented this after hearing their star linebacker Von Miller saying that he kind of has that playing style like Peyton Manning. Creating these high expectations for the team, the media hyped up John Elway into thinking that he has yet to make a mistake during the offseason.
However, after this season, the Denver Broncos went 5–11 and had a very disastrous season. The media overhyped the team and had really pressured this team to at least become a playoff team. As well as making Trevor seem like a great and upcoming quarterback, only for him to throw for 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
In addition, the team underperformed, ranking №27th in offense and №22th on defense. Making the predictions of this Elway team to become a prosperous team, but mainly on the offensive end to become good, was a false prediction. However, the media shifts their blame on Vance Joseph for his coaching decisions on the team.
However, one of the most terrible ways the media has created such turmoil and over praise of Elway’s decisions was the 2019 offseason. After running a similar Broncos team in 2018, with a new quarterback, Joe Flacco, the Denver Broncos went 6–10. However, during the second half of that season, back up quarterback Drew Lock was starting and was scoring some touchdowns for the team.
With the short resurgence of an offense, the media continuously ran with the idea of the Denver Broncos going to be a great team this year. Calling Drew Lock legit after only playing for five games. Plus, praising Elway for getting extra pieces in the offseason, the Denver Broncos is so far underperforming due to injuries and due to bad play calling.
After years and years of failure, the media has never given Elway any fair feedback and has contributed to the destruction of this team.