In a move that has shocked fans, analysts, and former players alike, the Denver Broncos have announced that franchise icon John Elway will return to the sidelines as the team’s new head coach. The news comes on the heels of Sean Payton’s sudden and unexpected resignation, just months before the 2025 NFL season is set to begin. The 64-year-old Elway, who last held a formal leadership position in the Broncos front office in 2021, has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent years. Now, with the franchise facing yet another pivotal chapter in its storied history, Elway is stepping in—not as an executive or advisor—but as the head coach of the team he helped lead to Super Bowl glory.
This development is the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous stretch for the Broncos. Hired in 2023, Sean Payton was expected to be the long-term answer for a struggling team still reeling from the failure of the Russell Wilson experiment and the post-Manning identity crisis. Payton, a proven winner with a Super Bowl championship and years of success with the New Orleans Saints, was seen as a stabilizing force. While his first season didn’t go as hoped, there were signs of progress. The team finished 8-9, just missing the playoffs, and fans felt there was a foundation for the future. That foundation has now been rocked.
According to reports, Payton’s resignation was tied to internal disagreements over personnel control and long-term vision with the ownership group, particularly the Walton-Penner family, who took over the team in 2022. Sources close to the situation say Payton felt increasingly frustrated by what he perceived as interference in football operations. While the team had no immediate comment on the specific reasons behind his departure, they confirmed the resignation in a brief statement Tuesday morning and quickly followed it up with the announcement of Elway’s appointment.
“John Elway embodies everything the Denver Broncos stand for,” the team said in an official press release. “As a Hall of Fame quarterback, a Super Bowl-winning executive, and one of the most respected figures in the history of this franchise, we could think of no one better to guide us into this next chapter.”
Elway’s return to the organization in a hands-on capacity marks a full-circle moment. Drafted by the franchise in 1983 and often regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowl appearances as a player, winning two. He later served as Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager, building the team that would win Super Bowl 50 under Peyton Manning’s leadership and the coaching of Gary Kubiak. After stepping back from personnel duties following the 2020 season, Elway transitioned into more of an ambassadorial role. Few could have imagined he would one day take over as head coach.
Yet that’s precisely what has happened, and the reaction across the league has been immediate and intense. Some applaud the move as bold and inspired, while others question whether Elway, who has never coached at any level, is equipped for the rigors of the job. Coaching in the NFL requires a skill set very different from playing or managing, and it’s not without risk to place such responsibility in the hands of a first-time coach nearing retirement age.
Still, it’s hard to overstate the symbolic significance of Elway’s return. To many Broncos fans, he is the Denver Broncos. His presence on the sidelines will surely energize a fanbase that has endured several disappointing seasons since the 2015 championship run. And for a locker room in need of direction, Elway’s leadership, football IQ, and commanding presence could provide a needed sense of purpose and pride.
At his introductory press conference, Elway acknowledged the unconventional nature of the move and spoke candidly about what led him to accept the offer.
“I never thought I’d be standing here as the head coach of the Denver Broncos,” Elway began. “But this team means everything to me. I’ve lived and breathed Broncos football for most of my life, and when ownership came to me with this opportunity, I knew I couldn’t say no. I believe in this team, in this city, and in what we’re building.”
He was quick to stress that he’s not doing it alone. Elway announced that he would be bringing in several seasoned coordinators and assistants to help ease his transition. Among those rumored to be joining his staff are Wade Phillips, who could reprise a role as defensive consultant, and former Broncos assistant Rick Dennison as offensive coordinator.
Whether Elway can succeed in this new role remains to be seen, but he’s certainly not lacking in confidence or conviction.
“I’ve competed at the highest level, and I’ve built championship teams,” he said. “Coaching is a new challenge, but leadership is leadership. It’s about getting the best out of people, setting a standard, and making sure everyone is rowing in the same direction.”
The Broncos’ roster, while not stacked, features a number of intriguing pieces. Quarterback Bo Nix, drafted in the first round in 2024, is expected to be the centerpiece of the offense moving forward. Elway, himself a former QB, could be a tremendous mentor for Nix, who has shown flashes of brilliance but also struggled with consistency. In the backfield, Javonte Williams is returning to full health, and young wideouts like Marvin Mims Jr. and Courtland Sutton provide solid weapons. Defensively, Patrick Surtain II remains one of the top corners in the league, and the unit as a whole showed promise under Vance Joseph last season.
Still, this team is far from a finished product. The AFC West remains one of the toughest divisions in football, with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs continuing to dominate. Elway will be tasked not only with developing his players but with outmaneuvering some of the best minds in football, including Andy Reid and Jim Harbaugh, who now leads the Los Angeles Chargers.
One of Elway’s first challenges will be reshaping the culture. Players will need to buy into his leadership style and adapt quickly to a new coaching philosophy. His experience as a player and executive may give him an edge in earning respect, but he’ll also have to prove that he can handle the day-to-day grind of game planning, managing egos, and making split-second decisions on the sideline.
There are also questions about Elway’s long-term commitment. At 64, he’s taking on one of the most demanding jobs in sports with no prior coaching experience. How long he intends to stay in the role remains unclear. When asked about his future, Elway was noncommittal, saying only, “I’m here to win. However long that takes, that’s how long I’m in this.”
