John Elway could use Rams' interest as leverage with BroncosBy Ron Clements
John Elway has not yet received a new contract from the Broncos.
It’s a deal that is expected to come by the end of the year, but that doesn’t mean the sharks aren’t circling.
One shark, in particular — Rams owner Stan Kroenke — is reportedly interested in poaching the Broncos’ general manager and vice president of football operations.
There have been connections made between Kroenke, whose family owns both the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver icon. Elway and Kroenke were co-owners — along with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen — of the Arena Football League’s Colorado Crush from 2002-08.
Could Kroenke lure Elway, who has called Denver home since 1983, to Los Angeles? The short answer is no.
What is more likely is Elway will use the Rams’ interest as leverage to get top-dollar from the Broncos.
Elway spent his entire playing career with the Broncos following a post-draft trade from the Baltimore Colts. He led Denver to five Super Bowl appearances, including consecutive championships in 1997 and 1998. He retired after earning Super Bowl MVP honors for Super Bowl XXXIII and was hired as the Broncos’ VP of football operations in 2011. He assumed general manager duties a year later and immediately signed former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
Since Elway took over football operations and player personnel, the Broncos have won five AFC West titles, two AFC championships and a Super Bowl. The Broncos missed the playoffs in the five years prior.
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