This fall will mark the Broncos’ fourth season since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015. In each of the last three years, Denver has missed the playoffs.
The Broncos will have extra motivation to end that streak in 2019 after owner Pat Bowlen, a three-time Super Bowl champion, died last week.
“There’s no question,” general manager John Elway said during a press conference Monday. “The standards have not been met the last couple of years without a doubt, so there’s no question that this is a big year for us. We understand that . . . the standards that have been set here and Pat would be very disappointed in [the last few seasons].
“It is our job to get it turned around and that does add more motivation. No. 1, we’ve got to get it turned around and No. 2, with Pat, thinking about Pat, it’s his memory. There’s no question there’s more motivation to get this thing turned around.”
Denver will have a new coach (Vic Fangio) and a new quarterback (Joe Flacco) this year, inspiring hope from fans that things will be different in 2019. The Broncos plan to wear helmet decals to honor Bowlen this season — returning to the postseason would be another great way to honor him.
