The worst kept 'secret' in sports just became official with the Denver Broncos coming to an agreement with John Elway to become V.P. of Football Operations. While the team has yet to make an official statement, the report - filed by for Broncos beat writer and current ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter - is as close as it gets.
The report goes on to say sources believe Elway will approach Stanford Head Coach Jim Harbaugh about the Broncos coaching vacancy. Elway, of course, was a star at Stanford before being drafted #1 overall by the Baltimore Colts and subsequently traded to the Broncos. The Cardinal, ironically enough, have a quarterback - Andrew Luck - that many feel will be the #1 Pick overall.
That means the Broncos - and more importantly Elway - will have some decisions to make. Listening to Elway on his weekly radio show on Denver's 87.7 The Ticket you get the sense that he has some questions about Tim Tebow's ability to succeed at the NFL level - despite last week's 17-point comeback. That's just my opinion, however, and time will tell.
The return of Elway will no doubt inject some much-needed energy back into the team and fanbase. How long that lasts, however, will depend on who the Broncos tap as the next Head Coach and how the group - which increasingly appears will include Brian Xanders - handles the 2011 Draft, perhaps the biggest in team history.