Broncos Exec VP/Football Operations & GM John Elway is "preparing for another rebuilding process" after coach Gary Kubiak retired to due health reasons, but Elway's status as GM is "also in play," according to Nick Groke of the DENVER POST. Broncos President Joe Ellis yesterday that he is "trying to sign Elway to a contract extension," who is in the final year of his contract. Ellis and Elway "started talking about a new contract in October, and have talked every month since then." Ellis: "We'll continue those talks. I'm optimistic we'll get something done." Elway "insists he remains singularly focused on winning another title." Elway: "This is a great place to work. But the expectations are high" (DENVER POST, 1/3). In Denver, Mark Kiszla writes Elway "is the Broncos," and now is the "time Elway is put in charge of the team for life." Kiszla: "Please tell me why Elway is working in the final year of his contract?" Ellis said, "I really don’t see (John) working anywhere else. And I feel it’s important I do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen. ... I have no interest in losing him. I have every interest in keeping him." He added the franchise is "set up to succeed." Ellis said the "notion that there’s something in flux in terms of the transition" from team Owner Pat Bowlen to one of his children is "going to take away from our ability to succeed, I just don’t buy that." Kiszla: "If you asked Broncos Country who should own the team, here’s guessing the No. 1 answer would be: John Elway" (DENVER POST, 1/3). Kiszla writes it is "fair to ask if Elway is committed to working" with Bowlen’s heir, and other teams with front-office openings likely "are wondering the same thing" (DENVER POST, 1/3).
FOOTBALL GUY: Kubiak yesterday said that it is "time for him 'to step away from coaching' less than a year after guiding" the Broncos to a win in Super Bowl 50. ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold noted Kubiak "fought back tears" as he thanked his family, Bowlen, his coaching staff, his players, friends and a wide range of team staff members (ESPN.com, 1/2). In Denver, Nicki Jhabvala notes Kubiak could "no longer handle the grind of the game in the way he's always handled it." Kubiak said, "It was a struggle for me throughout the course of the year, just keeping up with the things that I normally do and the way I want to do them and handling situations on a daily basis. It was not one incident. But I am listening to the last few years" (DENVER POST, 1/3). USA TODAY's Lindsay Jones writes Kubiak "spent most of this season trying to make changes to his routine," but he "discovered he couldn't change his habits" (USA TODAY, 1/3). Kubiak: "In all honesty, I've struggled this year." The AP's Arnie Stapleton noted Kubiak "leaves with two years left on his contract" (AP, 1/2). In Colorado Springs, Paul Klee wrote Kubiak is "proof nice guys don't have to finish last." Kubiak's decision to "leave a franchise he believes is still on the brink of winning another title can't be tied only to his health." Klee: "The staff changes coming to the Broncos will include men he's worked alongside for decades, and who wants to tell your buddies they are out of a job?" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 1/2). The DENVER POST's Jhabvala wrote Kubiak "coached hard" and "fair." Jhabvala: "And he cared" (DENVER POST, 1/2).
