Mile High Report
For the first time in a decade, the Denver Broncos are AFC West champs.
Somehow, it feels like 84 years since the franchise has been in this position. It was a rough and tough 10 years since Super Bowl 50 …. to say the least. But the Broncos are finally out of the manure-laden doldrums and back atop the division. If that’s not enough, Denver is also in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs, which comes with home-field advantage and a bye.
It almost doesn’t feel real, that’s how long it’s been.
Think of how much has changed.
Pat Bowlen was still alive. John Elway was the executive vice president of football operations and general manager. Peyton Manning was the quarterback.
The Kansas City Chiefs had yet to win the Lamar Hunt Trophy.
It was a certain center’s rookie season for the Denver Nuggets.
You get the idea.
It’s been a minute, but the Broncos are back.
It starts and stops with Sean Payton. Since his arrival in Denver, he has completely transformed the organization’s culture and eradicated the rot brought on by Joe Ellis. Then you add in the Walton Penner ownership group, led by Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner. Throw in general manager George Paton, who has had some incredible NFL Drafts and made some great moves in free agency to make up for the Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett debacle. And last but not least, Bo Nix.
The Broncos finally have the head coach, ownership, GM, and quarterback all aligned. It’s no wonder Denver is now the AFC West champs.
But let’s not forget the two veterans who had to play through most of the last shit decade and finally have come out of it all roses, Garett Bolles and Courtland Sutton. Mile High Salute to those two for the professional approach and the class they bring to the team and community. It’s great to see this happen for those two players.
For the first time in a decade, the Broncos are AFC West champs. It’s about damn time.
And this is only the beginning.
