It’s now or never for John Elway and the Denver Broncos

Good morning, Broncos Country.

Over the past eight years the Denver Broncos have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, all of which have been overseen by John Elway.

What started off as a blissful joyride that included five straight division titles, two Super Bowl appearances and the acquisition of the franchise’s third Lombardi Trophy has taken a turn for the worse in recent memory. Unfortunately, the Broncos’ recent seasons have resulted in a three-year long nightmare fans are desperately hoping to wake up from. It’s hard to pinpoint all the reasons why the Broncos’ fell from grace but to do so would be a fool’s errand.

Truth be told, all of that calamity is in the past. It’s time to move forward. All we can do now is hope that the recent coaching hires and forthcoming moves in free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft are enough to propel the Broncos back to the top of the AFC West. Though a realist would likely conclude that the desired end result — becoming a championship contender — may not be immediate.

The team’s number one priority will be finding a franchise quarterback. Without one of those in the fold, it’s extraordinarily difficult in the modern-day National Football League to have any modicum of success. Sitting at the tenth overall selection and behind a handful of teams in need of a signal caller, Elway will have to make a bold move up the boards to get their desired prospect. The cost of doing so is sure to be high but at this point in time it’s a gamble the franchise has to take — it’s one they have to make.

They can’t afford to take the “wait and see” approach by kicking the proverbial can down the road. Doing so will only leave them in the same position they are now — a day late and a dollar short. Embarking on another mediocrity-filled season with Case Keenum leading the offense would be a significant mistake. While a rookie signal caller will most certainly have their share of struggles, it’s something the franchise is going to have to endure sooner than later. Quite frankly, that time is now.

The quarterback conundrum isn’t the only obstacle Elway will have to summit this offseason. Revamping the team’s offensive line and bolstering the back-end of their defense will be two other significant priorities and will have a significant impact on the team’s performance in 2019 and beyond. Luckily enough for the Broncos, they were able to acquire coaches with expertise in those areas. Which is why fans should be optimistic that the franchise should be able to receive quality returns on their initial investments at those positions in relatively quick fashion.

Embarking on his ninth season overseeing the football operations of the franchise — it’s now or never for John Elway. This offseason will undoubtedly be the most important in his tenure with the team. If he makes the right moves the Broncos’ future should be quite promising. However, if he makes the wrong moves — his future leading the franchise will come into serious question.

As always, thank you for reading and here is today’s offering of Horse Tracks.

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