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The Denver Broncos are now on the search for a new general manager.
A day after the Broncos’ season ended in a 32-31 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, putting a bow on the 5-11 record and fourth-straight losing season, the shocking news hit social media.
John Elway is taking a higher role in the front office and the franchise is on the search for a new general manager. The person the Broncos choose will have final say on the roster.
Keep it here for all the latest news, rumors, and updates on who will be the Broncos next GM as we move through the process.
Here’s where we sit.
Broncos formal requests and schedule for GM interviews
Jan. 5
- Mike Klis reports the Broncos have formally requested an interview with Champ Kelly.
- Joe Ellis confirmed that the Broncos were granted permission to interview Champ Kelly.
- Adam Schefter reports the Broncos have requested permission to interview Dave Zielger.
- Ian Rapoport reports the Broncos have requested permission to interview George Paton, the Minnesota Vikings assistant GM and VP of player personnel.
- Klis reports the Broncos have scheduled interviews with Terry Fontenot and Kelly.
- Klis reports the Broncos will interview their own college scouting director Brian Stark.
Jan. 6
- Klis reports the Broncos GM committee have Zoom interviews scheduled for Friday and Saturday. They might have one on Thursday. Klis adds that in-person interviews with final one or two candidates early next week.
Jan. 7
- Albert Breer reports that the Broncos will interview Dave Ziegler on Saturday.
- Klis reports that Kelly and Paton are the co-favorites for the GM job.
Jan. 8
- The Broncos announced they’ve completed their virtual interview with Paton.
- The Broncos announced they’ve complete their virtual interview with Kelly.
Jan. 9
- Ian Rapoport reports the Broncos will interview Ziegler, Fontenot, and Stark on Saturday. Rapoport added that Denver could put in one or two more requests for interviews or move on to finalists.
- The Broncos announced they’ve completed their virtual interview with Ziegler.
- The Broncos announced they’ve completed their virtual interview with Fontenot.
- Klis reports that after two, three-hour interviews, the Broncos will give Stark full attention on Sunday.
Jan. 10
- The Broncos announced they’ve completed their virtual interview with Stark.
- Klis reports that the Broncos GM search committee will now meet throughout the afternoon to review candidates and discuss next steps.
- Rapoport reports that Ziegler is withdrawing his name from the Broncos GM search.
- Klis reports the top three remaining Broncos GM candidates are Paton, Kelly, and Fontenot.
Jan. 11
- Klis reports that Paton is “still the leader in the clubhouse.” He also said that Fontenot has leapfrogged Kelly.
Jan. 12
- Cecil Lammey tweeted there is “plenty of buzz” for the Broncos GM search. He mentions second interviews with Paton (in-perso) and Fontenot (virtual). Lammey also said we could hear about an offer tonight.
- Klis reports that the Broncos will have second interviews with Paton (in-person) and Fontenot (virtual).
- Klis reports not to rule out Kelly just yet. The Broncos remain in contact with him. Perhaps he could replace Matt Russell as director or vice president of player personnel.
- Klis reports that Paton is the “way to bet” for Broncos GM.
- Klis adds that Paton has arrived and is touring the Broncos facility.
- Ryan O’Halloran reports that if the Broncos choose Paton, he could bring Vikings director of college scouting Jamal Stephenson to Denver.
Jan. 13
- Klis reports that after his in-person interview, Paton flew back to Minneapolis on Tuesday night. Klis adds the Broncos are still going through the process.
- Paton is the Broncos new GM.
Rumored interest by Broncos
- Thomas Dimitroff, former Atlanta Falcons general manager — Broncos could talk to Dimitroff
- Champ Kelly, Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel — Kelly “checks most boxes” for Broncos
- Adam Peters, San Francisco 49ers vice president of player personnel — Peters is most certainly on the list
- John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of player personnel — Spytek is a “name to watch”
Potential candidates for Broncos GM
Jan. 4
Mike Borgonzi, Kansas City Chiefs director of football operations — Suggested as a possibility by Woody Paige (link)
Ryan Cowden, Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel — Suggested by Paige (link)
Thomas Dimitroff, former Atlanta Falcons general manager — Suggested by Paige (link)
Ed Dodds, Indianapolis Colts assistant GM — Suggested by Paige (link)
John Dorsey, former Chiefs and Cleveland Browns GM — Suggested by Paige (link)
Terry Fontenot, New Orleans Saints vice president/assistant GM-pro personnel — Suggested by Paige (link)
Kevin Kelly, Los Angeles Chargers director of college scouting — Suggested as a possiblity by Cecil Lammey (link)
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Browns VP of football operations — Suggested by Paige (link)
Scott Pioli, various front office roles with the Falcons, Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Browns — Suggested by Paige (link)
Louis Riddick, ESPN Monday Night Football color commentator — Mentioned by some (link)
Rick Smith, Houston Texans former GM — Mentioned by some (link)
Dave Zielger, New England Patriots assistant director of player personnel — suggested by Klis (link)