The Candidates -

Matt Mauck QB 2004
Todd Husak QB 2001
Jeff Lewis QB 1996-97
Tommy Maddox QB 1992-93
Gary Kubiak QB 1983-91

Five different quarterbacks have worn the #8 in Denver, all five primarily backups during their careers.  Some have been villified, simply because they were drafted to replace a legend weel before his time(Maddux), while others showed promise until a pickup basketball game got in the way(Lewis). 

One #8, however, stood out from the crowd.   From trusted teammate to respected coach, Gary Kubiak was the consummate professional.  Seemingly comfortable in the shadow of greatness, Kubiak was a calming influence, both as a player then latere as a coach to Elway, and later a series of quarterbacks, from Brian Griese to Jake Plummer.

via media.rockymountainnews.com

A quick trivia question.  What quarterback was drafted by the Denver Broncos is 1983? 

The Answer - Gary Kubiak.  Try it in a bar some night with your Broncos Fan friends.  You'll get someone to bite.  Kubiak was drafted in the 8th round that year, the same year the team acquired the rights to John Elway in a trade with the Baltimore Colts.  Destined to be linked forever, Kubiak relished in the role as a mentor and friend to Elway, especially in the ealry years when things didn't always go so well for #7.   While Kubiak did see all that much action in his time as a quarterback from 1983-1991(14 touchdowns and 1,920 yards in nine seasons), Broncos fans will always remember Kubiak stellar performance against the Buffalo Bills in the 1991 AFC Championship Game. 

Playing in his last NFL game as a player, Kubiak entered the game for an injured John Elway with the Broncos trailing 10-0.  Kubiak quickly led the Broncos on an 85-yard TD drive.  After recovering the on-side kick, Kubiak was moving the troops again before a Steve Sewell fumble ended the comeback.

After retiring, Kubiak returned to his alma-mater, Texas A&M, to coach running backs(92-93).  He returned to the NFL in 1994 as the QB coach in San Francisco, working under then-49'er Offensive Coordinator Mike Shanahan.  When Shanahan was hired as coach of the Broncos in 1995, Kubiak came with him becoming the Offensive Coordinator and reuniting with John Elway.

In 11 seasons under Kubiak, the Broncos offense amassed 66,501 total yards and 465 touchdowns, the most in the NFL during that span. He has coached 14 different Broncos that made the Pro Bowl, including running back Terrell Davis, who was named the NFL MVP in 1998.  Three different quarterbacks earned Pro Bowl honors as well, with Elway, Brian Griese and Jake Plummer enjoying their best seasons under Kubiak.  Kubiak has earned three Super Bowl rings in his time as an assistant coach, is one of just 15 NFL coaches to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises (San Francisco, 1994) and one of just nine to win a title with a team from each conference.

Kubiak left the Broncos after the 2005 season to return home to Texas.  As Head Coach of the Houston Texans, Kubiak again appears to have a team on the right track.  The Texans seemed prime to make a run at the playoffs in the near future, and from we have seen from Kubiak he'll have them there.

Whether it was his actions while wearing the #8, or his contributions after he hung his jersey up for the last time, Gary Kubiak has had a huge effect on the Denver Broncos.  For that, Gary Kubiak is the Greatest Bronco ever to wear the snowman.