The Denver Broncos have taken a significant step in reshaping their front office for the 2025 season, officially promoting Reed Burckhardt to the role of assistant general manager while also unveiling a series of key changes across their scouting department. These moves are part of a broader organizational effort to recalibrate the team’s personnel strategy, strengthen talent evaluation, and build a more cohesive front office as they continue their quest to return to prominence in a fiercely competitive AFC West.
Burckhardt’s promotion marks a pivotal moment for the Broncos, not only because it elevates a rising executive into a powerful leadership position, but also because it signals a renewed direction under general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton. Burckhardt has earned widespread respect throughout the league for his sharp football acumen, attention to detail, and relationship-building skills. Now, he’ll play a much more integral role in shaping the future of Denver’s roster—both in free agency and through the NFL Draft.
A veteran within the Broncos organization, Burckhardt has steadily climbed the front office ladder over the years, gaining experience in both pro and college scouting, contract negotiations, and internal team operations. His trajectory within the Broncos’ franchise has been methodical and well-earned. Having started in more junior roles, Burckhardt quickly made a name for himself as a dedicated and strategic thinker. In recent years, his fingerprints have been all over some of the team’s more astute draft-day decisions and under-the-radar free-agent signings.
This promotion to assistant general manager places Burckhardt firmly as the No. 2 figure in the team’s football operations hierarchy. He will work hand-in-hand with Paton and the coaching staff to manage the 90-man offseason roster, oversee the team’s draft preparations, and assist with salary cap and contract negotiations. Given his background in both scouting and analytics, Burckhardt is expected to serve as a bridge between the scouting department and the team’s growing analytics unit—blending traditional player evaluation methods with modern data-driven insights.
In addition to Burckhardt’s promotion, the Broncos announced several other updates within the scouting department that reflect a reshuffling of responsibilities and a sharpening of internal structure. These changes are designed to enhance the efficiency of the team’s scouting processes, improve cross-department communication, and ultimately yield better decision-making when it comes to acquiring talent.
Among the notable moves: longtime national scout Patrick Walsh has been promoted to director of college scouting, while former area scout Alex Mitchell has been elevated to assistant director of pro scouting. These moves give more seasoned voices increased influence in the room while also rewarding internal development—an approach the Broncos have prioritized in recent years.
Walsh, in particular, has been with the organization for nearly a decade and is well-regarded for his ability to identify hidden gems and project long-term potential in collegiate players. As director of college scouting, he will now be responsible for overseeing the entire college scouting operation, managing area scouts, coordinating pre-draft evaluation processes, and traveling to key campuses throughout the fall. His ability to work collaboratively with coaches and executives alike makes him an invaluable asset in aligning scouting priorities with team needs.
Mitchell’s ascent to assistant director of pro scouting speaks to his strong track record in evaluating NFL talent. He played a behind-the-scenes role in helping the Broncos identify mid-tier free agents who fit Denver’s scheme and culture. His new role will expand his responsibilities to include oversight of advanced scouting, opponent breakdowns, and in-season player evaluations. As the Broncos look to continue building their depth and fostering competition at every position, Mitchell’s eye for talent will be especially important.
In addition to the internal promotions, the Broncos have added three new scouts to their college and pro departments. These fresh faces include Will Jennings, formerly of the Chicago Bears, who will join as a regional college scout covering the Midwest. Jennings is known for his no-nonsense approach to talent evaluation and his ability to build meaningful relationships with college programs—key factors in staying ahead of the curve during draft season.
The other additions include Marcus Glenn, who will focus on SEC and ACC territories as a college area scout, and Candace Rivers, who joins the pro scouting department after working as a personnel analyst with the New York Giants. Rivers becomes one of the highest-ranking female scouts in Broncos history, and her hiring reflects the organization’s continued emphasis on diversity, innovation, and tapping into a wider pool of football minds.
With these changes, the Broncos are attempting to create a scouting infrastructure that is more agile, communicative, and aligned with the long-term vision of the franchise. After a series of disappointing seasons that saw coaching changes, quarterback uncertainty, and postseason absences, Denver appears committed to revamping its team-building process from the ground up.
The moves come at a critical juncture in the Broncos’ development. Under the ownership of the Walton-Penner group and with Sean Payton entering his second full season as head coach, the Broncos are under increasing pressure to deliver results. The franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50, and fans are eager to see progress, particularly with a young core on defense and questions remaining at the quarterback position.
Burckhardt’s promotion may also signal a long-term succession plan within the front office. As general manager George Paton continues to navigate the complexities of roster management and executive decision-making, Burckhardt’s expanded role could allow for more delegation of responsibilities and a shared leadership model that leverages each executive’s strengths. It also puts Burckhardt on the radar league-wide as a potential GM candidate in the future, whether in Denver or elsewhere.
The 2025 NFL Draft, slated to be held in Green Bay, now looms as the first major test for this newly restructured front office. With a full complement of draft picks and a pressing need to continue building depth on both sides of the ball, the Broncos’ scouting team will be working overtime to ensure every selection counts. The updated leadership structure—with Burckhardt, Walsh, Mitchell, and others playing key roles—will be under a bright spotlight.