Sundquist Out As Broncos GM After 16 Years With Franchise

Sundquist Out As Broncos GM

Broncos GM Ted Sundquist is no longer with the team, effective immediately. Broncos Dir of Player Personnel Jim Goodman and Assistant GM Jeff Goodman both will have more prominent roles in football operations while COO Joe Ellis will assist on operational and football-related administrative issues (Broncos). In Denver, Mike Klis writes the timing of the announcement, in between NFL free agency and the draft, "leaves little doubt [coach Mike] Shanahan and Sundquist had reached irreconcilable differences." Sundquist, who had been with the Broncos for 10 years in the college scouting department before spending the previous six as GM, said, "I loved the organization. I started from the bottom and worked my way up. I feel like I've done a good job over the time I've been a [GM]." Klis notes after the '07 season, Shanahan promoted Jeff Goodman to Assistant GM, a "move that in hindsight was a hint Sundquist's job security may have been tenuous" (DENVER POST, 3/13).

REAX: In Denver, Lee Rasizer writes it "appears a disconnect between Shanahan and Sundquist became untenable from the side that mattered most." Sundquist "had wide-ranging power but still lacked final authority." Rasizer notes Sundquist "orchestrated a slew of moves in recent years" including the acquisition of CBs Champ Bailey and Dre Bly and QB Jay Cutler, "while working hard to improve the club's salary-cap health." Sundquist was "well-respected in the agent and player-evaluation communities, serving on the [BOD] of National Football Scouting" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 3/13). Also in Denver, Mark Kiszla writes "it was a crummy way to say goodbye to a loyal man. But he had to go." Shanahan required a "scapegoat for yet another disappointing football season. ... Their long uneasy relationship crumbled under the weight of defeat." Kiszla: "A [GM] should be able to shape a football team as he envisions. Sundquist filled orders like a stock clerk. It was a thankless task doomed to failure" (DENVER POST, 3/13).