Denver Broncos Roster
- AFC West
- Stadium
- Empower Field at Mile High
- Head Coach
- Vic Fangio
- Offensive Coordinator
- Pat Shurmur
- Defensive Coordinator
- Ed Donatell
- Special Teams Coach
- Tom McMahon
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is the subject of a police investigation in Parker, Colorado, although police haven't specified why they are investigating the former Super Bowl MVP. Miller missed the entire 2020 season after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in practice just days before the season opener. The 31-year-old was suspended for six games in 2013 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and also had an arrest warrant issued that same summer after a failure to appear in court after multiple traffic violations. The Broncos face a decision on the pass-rusher, as he is heading into the final year of his six-year, $114.5 million deal he signed in 2016. If they release Miller, the team would face a dead-money charge of $4.125 million against the salary cap for 2021.
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III pleaded not guilty in his DUI case on Thursday. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24, with a potential jury trial on April 8 if the case isn't resolved before then. Gordon could still face league discipline in 2021 after being arrested on Oct. 3 in downtown Denver and charged with driving under the influence. Safety Kareem Jackson was suspended for the final two games of the 2019 season after a DUI charge. Gordon led the Broncos in carries (215), rushing yards (986) and rushing touchdowns (nine) in his first season in Denver while sharing the backfield with Phillip Lindsay for much of the year. There's a possibility that new general manager George Paton could move on from Gordon if he's suspended, but he should be a midrange RB2 if he sticks around for another season in Denver.
The Denver Broncos are finalizing a six-year deal with Minnesota Vikings vice president and player personnel/assistant general manager George Paton on Wednesday to become the team's next general manager, according to a source. Paton spent 14 years with the Vikings and had other chances to take GM jobs elsewhere in recent seasons, but the Denver job stood out to him. Former president/GM John Elway turned over his full-time GM role after the regular season, but he will remain involved as the president of football operations, but Paton will have final say on the draft, free agency and the roster. Paton has been regarded as one of the league's most respected personnel men, drawing plenty of interest around the league in recent seasons. The Broncos have had four losing seasons in a row, and Paton's primary job will be to decide whether quarterback Drew Lock is the man for the job under center moving forward.
Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel George Paton is flying to meet with the Denver Broncos about their general manager job on Tuesday, according to sources. He is the first Broncos GM candidate to be interviewed a second time. Paton could be close to leaving Minnesota after 14 years with the team. He also interviewed with Detroit during this cycle and has ties to Denver, as his nephew is a college and pro scout for the Broncos. Paton has been in the NFL since 2000 and has worked alongside Vikings GM Rick Spielman for over a dozen years. The Broncos GM job became available when John Elway promoted himself out of the role to a position with less demanding day-to-day responsibilities.
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock didn't do enough in 2020 to prove that's he's the franchise QB, but head coach Vic Fangio said that Lock "can be" the starter in 2021 if he spends the offseason working on improving his abilities. Lock will also have to prove himself to a new general manager next season after long-time GM/president John Elway announced on Monday that he'll be moving to a senior role in football operations. The second-year signal-caller was limited to 13 games due to injury this year and finished with a completion percentage below 58 with 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, throwing for 2,933 yards on 443 attempts for a passer rating of 75.4. With any young QB, there's room for improvement, especially with Denver's offense being young in general, but the 24-year-old Lock will need to take the next step in 2021 to keep his job. He'll be off the radar in leagues that start two quarterbacks to begin the season.