Broncos' Elway gives up GM duties after 10 seasons

John Elway is staying with the Denver Broncos, but he'll surrender the general manager position and final say on roster moves, the club announced Monday.

Elway, who occupied the GM's chair for 10 years, will hire the incoming personnel head. The Hall of Fame quarterback will serve as president of football operations.

"Working in this role for the last 10 years and going back to my playing days, I've always tried to do everything I can to help the Broncos win and get better," Elway said in a statement. "As part of a transition I've thought about for a long time, I have made the decision to step up into an elevated role and hire a general manager to lead our personnel and football staff."

Elway noted that head coach Vic Fangio will be involved in the search process for a new GM, as will CEO Joe Ellis.

Elway built the Broncos into contenders shortly after taking over as GM in 2011, culminating in a Super Bowl 50 win. However, the franchise has fallen on hard times over the last five years and posted its fourth straight losing record in 2020.

Since Peyton Manning's retirement, quarterback instability and ineptitude have held back the Broncos. Over the last five years, they've started Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Jeff Driskel, Brett Rypien, and Drew Lock at the pivotal position.

Elway played for the Broncos from 1983 to 1998 before returning as general manager and vice president of football operations in January 2011.