Greg Penner stands by George Paton and Sean Payton following the AFC championship defeat
The Denver Broncos owner and CEO, Greg Penner, believes the team is on the right path despite falling short of the Super Bowl. Speaking after Denver’s AFC championship loss to the New England Patriots, Penner strongly backed general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton, saying he wants both to remain with the team for the long run.
Denver’s rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, injured his ankle during the playoff run, which forced Jarrett Stidham into action in the AFC title game as a backup option. This was one of the reasons Denver's season ended in frustration. But the Broncos still finished with a 15-4 record, tied a franchise mark with 14 regular-season wins, and earned their first playoff victory since Super Bowl 50 by beating Buffalo in overtime.
Penner also pointed out the steady growth under Paton and Payton's supervision, noting how the team has improved every year, from a losing record two seasons ago to one of the best teams in the NFL this year. He credited the working relationship between the GM and coach as a big reason for that progress. “We’d love to have both of them here long-term,” Penner said.
The Broncos also enjoyed an 11-game winning streak, had six players named All-Pro, and went 9-2 at home, rebuilding their advantage at Empower Field at Mile High. Even with those positives, Penner admitted the playoff loss was hard to accept. “Obviously the result on Sunday was disappointing and not what we were expecting,” he said.
Looking ahead, Denver plans to be aggressive but smart in the offseason. The team will be free from the massive dead cap hit left by Russell Wilson’s release and will open a new $175 million training facility this spring. Penner said the Broncos will carefully evaluate the roster, coaching staff, and needs before using free agency, trades, and the draft to improve.
Penner also confirmed the team is studying retractable roof options for its future stadium in downtown Denver, especially after the blizzard that hit during the AFC championship game. His focus, he said, is giving the football staff the resources they need, while keeping expectations high as the Broncos try to finish the job next season.