We heard last month that Broncos general manager George Paton could be on the hot seat, but that does not appear to be the case. As Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report, Paton is expected to keep his job through at least the 2024 season.
Paton was one of the most popular names on the GM interview circuit for years before the longtime Vikings exec finally decided to leave Minnesota to head up Denver’s personnel department in January 2021. While detractors will point to his ultimately disastrous decision to hire Nathaniel Hackett as head coach in 2022 and to the ill-fated blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson, Paton did show off his talent evaluation chops during his first draft with the Broncos, bringing in the likes of Patrick Surtain, Javonte Williams, Quinn Meinerz, Baron Browning, and Jonathon Cooper. The 2022-23 drafts started late due to the Wilson trade, though it was the club’s new ownership that drove the Wilson extension that is expected to create a salary cap nightmare in short order (likewise, although Paton is the one who ultimately approached Wilson about pushing back his 2025 guarantee, ownership and head coach Sean Payton surely had a hand in that controverisal overture).
Payton is widely believed to wield final say over the Broncos’ roster decisions, and even if that is not the case, Paton did lose plenty of power when club CEO Greg Penner announced in December 2022 that both the head coach and general manager would report to ownership. Despite that, and despite Payton’s surprisingly open criticism of Paton over the summer, Rapoport and Pelissero say that the two men enjoy a strong working relationship. That relationship, combined with Paton’s evaluation abilities, may well be enough to keep Paton in Denver.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com also notes that Payton and Paton have worked well together this year, and that Payton respects Paton’s talents. Schefter does not indicate one way or another whether Paton will be retained, though he does confirm that Payton “has significant authority and influence” over Denver’s football operation and that a decision will need to be made on Paton.
Assuming that the Payton-Paton partnership survives for another season, Paton will have at least some role in navigating the Broncos’ complex quarterback situation. The expected Wilson release and the dead money hit that it will generate will make it difficult for Denver to acquire a high-end veteran passer, and the team may not be picking high enough to land a surefire prospect in the 2024 draft. As such, Jarrett Stidham may find himself as the Broncos’ starting QB to begin the 2024 season, a season that could go a long way towards determining Paton’s long-term future in the Mile High City.
If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it!
Broncos should admit that 2024 is a lost season. Take the full hit on Russ, trade back & collect picks over the next 2 drafts, and be ready to compete in 2025. They won’t.
2024 is a lost season?
The division looks like it is wide open, and they are currently the 2nd best team in that division. Chargers are a joke, the Raiders are the Raiders, and the Chiefs offense has taken a couple steps back this year. I think the Broncos just need to draft a couple of defensive pieces, and figure out their QB situation. That 5 game win streak in the middle of the season showed that this team can compete and win, just need to tighten things up.
I am not saying you are wrong in any way for your evaluation, I just think there is going to be a real opportunity for this team in 2024 if they can figure out the QB.
Exactly who is going to be your QB? Den will be around 500 next year.
My QB? when did I say the Broncos are my team, I was just talking about the team.
Sorry. But the Broncos need to be honest and admit 2024 is a lost season. Bite the bullet and do a rebuild in Sean’s image. Why split up the cap hit over 2 years and slow down the rebuild even more? That’s my point. Grab picks for the next 2 drafts and look brand new in 2025.
5 game win streak that required
Packers missing a fg in that game
Vikings missing Kirk Cousins and starting Josh Dobbs who they acquired mid season
Browns starting a rookie qb
I’d pump the breaks on the 5 game win streak a little.
Division isn’t wide open. It’s the chiefs until otherwise proven.
Chargers have an offense and it’s much easier to fix a defense than it is to find a franchise qb. Chargers don’t even need an elite defense they just need a capable defense that doesn’t rank bottom of the league.
Raiders have been playing well with Pierce as hc and both chargers and raiders are going to get better from a coaching perspective and adding guys via draft or free agency.
Broncos are either stuck with Wilson or stuck with his dead cap hit hurting their free agency spending ability.
Also. Chiefs found their #2 behind Kelce in rice. They just need a #1 receiver. They could blow all their draft capital and go get Harrison Jr Nabers or move up the board to grab someone like Rome Odunze. They’ve got a better shot at fixing their wr room than broncos do fixing their qb room.
Pump your brakes.
The AFC Conference is not as tough as people believe. If the Broncos win today they would be 1 game back from making the playoffs. They have no reason to trade back and throw away their 2024 season. That is all I was really trying to say.
The Chargers and Raiders look like they are going to be mediocre for the next few years. The Chiefs are great but the offense needs more weapons. Even if the Chiefs are the best team in football it doesn’t mean the Broncos do not have a chance. 3 teams from 1 division can make the playoffs any given year.
Im not talking about what the broncos should do for 2024 nor what they should do about the draft.
But the broncos are handicapped in ways other teams aren’t in their division.
Lv has 50 mill in cap space.
Lv has like 30 mill
Denver is at -20
Chargers at -35.
Teams will restructure contracts to create salary room but chargers are going into the off season with a top 10 pick. They’re in a much better position to improve next season than Denver is.
Oakland and KC can spend more than the rest and fill out needs via draft free agency.
Denver is stuck with Payton, chargers and raiders issues were hc issues in Staley and McDaniels. That alone should improve them in 2024 with new head coaches.
Not to mention that Payton’s first free agent class kind of stunk.
Raiders are better than them (currently on a 7-game winning streak against them). Chargers have a QB. They don’t. So how are they the second best team in the division? Bronco fans are quite delusional. Payton will leave there a broken man in two years.