Familiarity feels good, but the future needs to be bold.

As the Broncos entered the welcome whirlwind of the offseason, rumors have swirled about coaches, quarterbacks, and ownership. Such is the way when a team with so much talent squanders their season in such spectacular fashion. For the moment, let’s put aside the quarterback and coach talk and take a critical look at the soon-to-come change in ownership.

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t speak with some level of reverence for John Elway and Peyton Manning and the Super Bowl championships they represent. They are indisputable and iconic pillars of Broncos history… But would they be good owners? Or more importantly, would they be good representatives of the ownership groups they represent?

Let’s take a minute and look at the legacy of Pat Bowlen. If he were to kick the tires of the team today, no fan would take him seriously. An attorney with Canadian ties to his family oil business? What does he know about football? What on earth could he do for the Broncos? The answer was everything.

While it may be uncomfortable to think of the Broncos in the hands of anyone but Elway or Manning, the possibility exists that the personality vacuum created by Bowlen’s death could be filled with another unknown leader. Owning the Broncos is not a job like being a coach, quarterback, or trainer.

When Mr. B passed away a giant cornerstone of Broncos personality went with him. Leadership and vision wilted in favor of guaranteed checks written to the trustees, win or lose. Owning the Broncos is a position of charisma, respect, and relationship-building. Where the Broncos are now is a direct result of having none of that. They’ve been adrift, passed over to host the draft and been shunned for national games.

Mr. B was bigger than Elway and bigger than Manning. The future of the Broncos needs to be as big or bigger than Mr. B if the tradition of winning that Broncos fans are used to (and now miss) is to continue. There needs to be someone with bold ideas for the future. Someone who will fight for the Broncos in the rocky mountain region and beyond. In a few months, when the decision is made, the new owner of the Broncos is going to blaze the future for decades to come.

While the fan-favorites for ownership may be an Elway group or a Manning group, let’s not rule out the unknown simply because they aren’t familiar. On the other hand, if it is a Manning or Elway group, they have every opportunity to represent the bold leadership this team needs. So let’s go into the coming months with an open mind, even for those potential owners who have never laced them up.

There is a seismic shift coming in Broncos Country. Let’s keep an open mind about the future. We might yet be surprised.

HORSE TRACKS

Robert F. Smith emerges as potential bidder for Broncos – ProFootballTalk

Woody Paige: Can the Broncos still attract top coaches? | Woody Paige | gazette.com
Despite what those of us who live in and love Colorado believe, the Broncos aren’t at the top of most lists, writes Woody Paige. Even coaching jobs with the Texans

Broncos sign T Casey Tucker to future contract
Official site of the Denver Broncos

Broncos complete interview with Bengals OC Brian Callahan
The Broncos have completed the eighth interview of their head-coaching search.

Broncos complete interview with Rams OC Kevin O’Connell
O’Connell is the ninth candidate to interview for the Broncos’ head-coaching position.

Tracking the Denver Broncos’ head-coaching search
As the Broncos search for a head coach ahead of the 2022 season, follow along as we track reported candidates for the position.

Chiefs’ Willie Gay arrested in misdemeanor criminal damage case ahead of divisional round game with Bills – CBSSports.com
Kansas City is set to host Buffalo on Sunday

Titans change ticket policy for playoff game in hopes of keeping Bengals fans mostly out of Nissan Stadium – CBSSports.com
The Titans are trying to keep Bengals fans out of Nissan Stadium

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott fined $25,000 for recent postgame comments related to officials, per report – CBSSports.com
Prescott has apologized for his comments made following Sunday’s loss to the 49ers

Antonio Brown says ‘there’s nothing wrong with my mental health’ in aftermath of fallout with Buccaneers – CBSSports.com
Brown was released by Tampa Bay on Jan. 6

2021 NFL playoffs: Divisional Round injury report
Check out each team’s injury report for the Divisional Round of the 2021 NFL playoffs.

Who needs a Super Bowl LVI win the MOST? Aaron Rodgers tops the list
The Divisional Round offers four juicy matchups littered with high-profile names. So, who needs a Super Bowl LVI win the MOST? Bucky Brooks provides a list of six individuals.

Louisiana woman accused of defrauding retired NFL players’ healthcare fund – ProFootballTalk

Jon Gruden’s case against the NFL goes to court on February 23 – ProFootballTalk

Report: Bears to interview Dennis Allen for head coach – ProFootballTalk

Bears interview Reggie McKenzie, Byron Leftwich – ProFootballTalk

Tom Brady: We should all approach this week as nothing but football – ProFootballTalk

Cardinals dysfunction prompts conflicting reports regarding aftermath of playoff loss – ProFootballTalk

When Deebo Samuel speaks, Kyle Shanahan listens – ProFootballTalk

Tom Telesco: I support Brandon Staley 100 percent, we’re both big believers in using data – ProFootballTalk

Colts owner Irsay says comments weren’t directed at Wentz: ‘I would have told Carson face-to-face’
Jim Irsay’s football team concluded the 2021 season with an epic collapse, getting dominated by a lowly division rival to surrender a chance to win its way into the playoffs. Nearly a week later, the Colts owner addressed the club’s lingering disappointme

Texans conduct HC interview with veteran QB Josh McCown for second consecutive year
The Houston Texans’ continued search for a head coach has led them back to an intriguing candidate from last year’s hiring cycle.

NFL Divisional Round showdowns: Deebo Samuel or Davante Adams? Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes?
The Divisional Round presents a number of enticing individual showdowns, including Deebo Samuel vs. Davante Adams, Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes and Joe Mixon vs. Derrick Henry. So, who does Nick Shook trust more in each matchup?

Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson clears concussion protocol, OK to play Saturday
Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson has cleared the concussion protocol and will play Saturday against the Titans, coach Zac Taylor announced Thursday.

San Francisco 49ers poised to have Jimmy Garoppolo, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa against Green Bay Packers
Neither Niners linebacker Fred Warner nor quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo appeared on Thursday’s injury report, and defensive end Nick Bosa is close to being back, drawing a questionable tag as he continues to go through the concussion protocol.

Green Bay Packers expected to have healthy Randall Cobb; statuses of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, David Bakhtiari less promising
Randall Cobb (abdomen) is expected to return Saturday vs. the Niners, but the news isn’t as positive for two other Packers players. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back) is doubtful, and David Bakhtiari is questionable after practicing just once this week.