The Denver Broncos have had a long and complex history at quarterback, marked by franchise legends, short-lived starters, and constant change in the post-Manning era.
Here's a breakdown of the most notable eras and players who’ve taken the reins under center.
The Elway era: A franchise cornerstone (1983–1998)
John Elway remains the face of Broncos football. Over 16 seasons, he started 231 games, won 146 of them, and led the team to five Super Bowls, winning two. Elway’s career totals still tower over every other Broncos passer with 51,475 yards and 300 touchdowns.
He also remains the most clutch quarterback in franchise history, with multiple comeback wins and a Hall of Fame legacy that shaped Denver’s identity through the 80s and 90s.
The brief bridge years (1999–2002)
After Elway’s retirement, Denver leaned on Brian Griese for four seasons. Griese made 51 starts and passed for over 11,700 yards with 71 touchdowns. While he showed flashes, the team struggled to stay competitive at the highest level.
Jake Plummer’s underrated run (2003–2006)
Jake “The Snake” Plummer brought mobility and grit to the Broncos. He posted a strong 39–15 record as a starter, took Denver to the 2005 AFC Championship, and ranks among the franchise leaders in passing efficiency.
His 2005 season was one of the team’s best in the post-Elway years, though he was eventually replaced by first-round pick Jay Cutler.
The Cutler and McDaniels experiments (2006–2010)
Jay Cutler started 37 games from 2006 to 2008, throwing for over 9,000 yards. While talented, his tenure was marked by inconsistency and drama. He was traded to Chicago after a falling-out with coach Josh McDaniels.
Denver then cycled through Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow, and even Brady Quinn. Orton had solid numbers but a losing record. Tebow, despite his unorthodox style, delivered a magical 2011 season, including a playoff win against the Steelers.
Manning arrives: A dominant window (2012–2015)
The signing of Peyton Manning in 2012 transformed Denver overnight. Manning went 45–12, led the team to two Super Bowl appearances, and won it all in 2015. His 2013 campaign (5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns) remains one of the greatest seasons by any quarterback.
Manning’s arrival stabilized the franchise and helped Denver dominate the AFC West, but his retirement in 2015 marked the end of that golden era.
The post-Manning quarterback carousel (2016–2023)
Since Manning’s retirement, Denver has struggled to find stability. Here's a rundown of the many starters during this turbulent stretch:
- Trevor Siemian (2016–2017): Posted a 13–11 record, the best of the post-Manning era.
- Paxton Lynch (2016–2017): A first-round bust with only four starts.
- Brock Osweiler (2015, 2017): Played well in Manning’s absence in 2015 but failed to recapture that form later.
- Case Keenum (2018): A 6–10 season in a forgettable campaign.
- Joe Flacco (2019): Veteran addition who went 2–6 before being replaced.
- Drew Lock (2019–2021): Showed flashes, but turnovers and inconsistency led to an 8–13 record.
- Jeff Driskel, Brett Rypien, Brandon Allen: Spot starters who saw limited action.
- Kendall Hinton and Phillip Lindsay (2020): Played emergency QB in a COVID-impacted game. Hinton, a practice squad receiver, made history but the game ended in a blowout loss.
Teddy Bridgewater and Russell Wilson (2021–2023)
- Teddy Bridgewater (2021): Went 7–7, managing the offense well but failed to spark a playoff push.
- Russell Wilson (2022–2023): Came in with high hopes, but finished with an 11–19 record. Despite a statistical rebound in 2023, he was benched late in the year and is likely done in Denver.
A new chapter: Bo Nix and the future (2024–)
After years of quarterback turnover, the Broncos used a first-round pick in 2024 to draft Bo Nix. The rookie started all 17 games in his debut season and made a playoff appearance.
While Denver lost in the Wild Card round, it marks the first sign of genuine long-term hope at the position in nearly a decade.
Quarterbacks with the most starts for Denver
- John Elway: 231 starts (146 wins)
- Craig Morton: 64 starts (41 wins)
- Peyton Manning: 57 starts (45 wins)
- Jake Plummer: 54 starts (39 wins)
- Brian Griese: 51 starts (26 wins)
Wrap Up
The Denver Broncos have experienced every type of quarterback storyline — from all-time legends to one-game fill-ins. Elway and Manning were decade-defining pillars.
The years since have been a revolving door, but with Bo Nix under center, Denver fans have reason to believe in a steady hand leading the offense again.
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