Tom Heckert leaves the Denver Broncos to focus on health

After five seasons with the Denver Broncos serving as one of John Elway’s top personnel advisors, Tom Heckert is stepping down to focus on his health. According to Mike Klis of 9News, he reportedly has a treatable blood disorder that has become enough of an issue to bring Heckert home to focus on that.

Heckert was hired in 2013 and was arrested for a DUI less than a month later resulting in a suspension from the Broncos, but since then there was little to no negative “off the field” events from Heckert. However, it seemed like Gary Kubiak’s role was growing within the organization and it was interesting to see if the team would just grow their front office structure to include more top people around Elway.

It appears Kubiak’s role was expanding while Heckert’s was contracting last season and into this offseason.

Heckert entered the NFL as a scout with the Miami Dolphins in 1991 before being elevated to an executive in 2000. From there he spent times in various executive roles with the Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and ultimate general manager for both the Eagles and the Cleveland Browns before being hired by the Broncos in 2013.

After 27 years in the business, it is probably good that he has chosen health over career, but we may not have seen the last of Tom Heckert Jr.