The Denver Broncos closed their season with a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, finishing 8-9.
There was some doubt about whether general manager George Paton would hold his job following only one season with head coach Sean Payton.
According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Broncos want to keep Paton.
“Sources say there shouldn’t be a question about the status of general manager George Paton.”
“Paton is considered safe within the group, according to sources. According to Rapoport and Pelissero, Paton should stay because of his general evaluating skills and a great working connection with Sean Payton since the head coach came last summer.
On December 28, ESPN’s Adam Schefter told 104.3 The Fan in Denver that Payton will make the decision.
“That will be a Sean choice, just as the Russell [Wilson] situation was ultimately his decision, and we saw how that transpired. Let’s see what he decides there. It is going to be the next question. I do not have an answer for you. “Sean will have to respond,” Schefter said.
Paton’s Tenure Hasn’t Been Great in Denver
The Broncos brought in Paton in January 2021 following John Elway’s decision to step back from leading the Denver franchise. Paton had to decide whether to retain head coach Vic Fangio or pursue a different direction. Despite Denver’s 12-20 record under Fangio and the ongoing search for a franchise quarterback, particularly banking on Drew Lock, Paton chose to keep the defensive-minded coach for another season, as Fangio was part of the hiring process.
In the 2021 offseason, Denver sought a quarterback to challenge Lock in training camp. Paton acquired Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers on the first day of the 2021 NFL Draft for a sixth-round pick. This move led to both quarterbacks starting games, resulting in a 7-10 season record.
In Paton’s second year, he orchestrated a monumental trade, sending two first-round picks, two second-round picks, along with Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris to the Seattle Seahawks for Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick. Wilson received a lucrative five-year, $245 million contract extension, even though he had two years remaining on his Seattle deal. Paton also dismissed Fangio and brought in Nathaniel Hackett as the new head coach, aiming for an offensive approach alongside Wilson.
However, the 2022 season was disappointing, culminating in Hackett’s firing after 15 games and Denver finishing with a 5-12 record. Wilson faced one of his career’s toughest years during this period.
In 2023, Paton sought a new head coach, trading with the New Orleans Saints for Sean Payton by giving up a first-round and second-round pick, along with a third-round pick. Despite this move, the team continued to struggle, concluding the season with an 8-9 record—seven consecutive losing seasons and eight years without making the playoffs.
Amidst the 2023 downturn, Payton benched Wilson in favor of backup Jarrett Stidham for the final two games in hopes of sparking the offense.
Despite Paton’s reputation as a skilled talent evaluator, with only two Pro Bowlers—cornerback Patrick Surtain II and punt returner Marvin Mims Jr.—drafted in three years, the Broncos have struggled. After three seasons under Paton’s leadership, Denver stands at 20-31 without a winning season or playoff appearance.
Paton Must Have a Big Offseason
This season holds immense significance not just for the Broncos but for Paton’s career trajectory. After winning a Super Bowl, the Broncos made NFL history by missing the playoffs for eight consecutive years.
Heading into the 2024 offseason, Denver faces a considerable salary cap overage of about $24 million, as per OvertheCap.com. The likelihood of parting ways with Wilson looms large after his benching in the season’s final two games.
Should the Broncos choose to designate Wilson as a post-June 1 cut and spread the cap impact across two years, they’ll confront cap hits of $35.4 million in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025.
Financial constraints due to their cap situation may limit the Broncos’ activity in free agency, underscoring the importance of success in the upcoming draft. Presently, they hold only six picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, lacking selections in the second and seventh rounds.
Paton will need to collaborate with Payton to devise a plan for the quarterback position. Denver could seek a temporary solution in a free agent quarterback or pursue an established name like Kirk Cousins, requiring strategic contract adjustments to fit within the cap.
Alternatively, the Broncos might opt to draft a quarterback in the first round, especially if there’s a standout prospect they strongly favor. They’re slated to pick 12th in the upcoming draft.
If the team doesn’t see a swift turnaround, Paton might find himself seeking another front-office role elsewhere in the NFL.
Leave a Reply