As we continue our countdown of the 10 greatest quarterbacks in Denver Broncos history, we now get to the top five.
In their 54-year history the Denver Broncos have had arguably two of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL in John Elway and Peyton Manning.
There have also been some very lean years in which Denver has struggled for years to even find a dependable signal caller.
From 1962-1972 the Broncos had ten different players lead them in passing. And from 1999-2011 the Broncos played 14 different quarterbacks.
It hasn’t always been easy to find a quarterback in Denver.
So who are the five greatest quarterbacks in franchise history?
It’s not as easy to gauge as you may think.
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5. Charley Johnson
This may not measure up statistically, and I understand that, but Charley Johnson wasn’t just about statistics. This was about changing a franchise.
As I mentioned previously the Broncos had a run of journeymen quarterbacks who all had one thing in common.
Losing.
Prior to 1973 the Denver Broncos had never even had a single winning season.
Charley Johnson changed all of that.
The 11-year veteran came to Denver from the Houston Oilers in 1972 and brought with him professionalism and a winning attitude that had not yet surfaced with the Broncos.
Johnson led the Broncos to a 7-5-2 record in 1973 and a 7-6-1 record in 1974. He threw for over 7,000 yards while with the Broncos and passed for 52 touchdowns. In 1974 while facing the Kansas City Chiefs Johnson threw for 445 yards.
Charley Johnson changed the Denver Broncos.
Former Broncos wide receiver Haven Moses may have summed it up best.
“Charley Johnson showed us how to win.”
4. Jake Plummer
Try not to focus on the way Plummer’s run in Denver ended.
Yes, he struggled in his final year at the helm when he threw way too many interceptions, made rude gestures to the home fans, and was eventually benched in favor of Jay Cutler.
Plummer had been a dynamic young quarterback for six seasons in Arizona, but he had primarily been laboring in futility, as the Cardinals went just 30-52. When he became a free agent, Mike Shanahan thought he might have what it took to be a winner in Denver if surrounded by some real talent.
He was right.
Plummer went 39-15 in his four seasons as a starter in Denver.
He took the Broncos to the playoffs, and he did something that hadn’t been done since the Super Bowl seasons.
He actually won a playoff game, beating the New England Patriots, in the AFC Divisional round of 2005.
During his four year stay in Denver Jake the Snake threw for over 11,000 yards, 71 touchdowns, and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2005.
3. Craig Morton
The savvy veteran came to Denver at the age of 34, and revived a career that was thought by many to be over. Arriving in Denver in 1977 via a trade with the New York Giants, Morton became part of a team that had quite a bit of talent…but couldn’t win big games.
Morton was named the NFL Comeback Player of the year in 77’ taking the Broncos to a 12-2 regular season record.
Then the Broncos beat both the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the defending Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, and went to their first ever Super Bowl game in franchise history.
Morton finished his career in Denver with a 41-23 record.
His 74 touchdowns rank him third in all-time in the Denver Bronco record book.
Morton was elected into Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988.
2. Peyton Manning
He may have only played four seasons in Denver but what a golden era it was.
After 13 incredible years in Indianapolis Manning would leave via free agency.
And Bronco management made sure that his next stop would be in Denver.
Coming off of multiple neck surgeries, there were questions to whether Peyton could even throw a football. He answered those critics and then some.
But can a quarterback really be placed on the franchise all-time list with just four seasons on their resume?
They can with numbers like these.
Manning went an incredible 45-12 in those four seasons, throwing for over 17 thousand yards, 140 touchdowns, and taking the Broncos to two Super Bowls.
He led the most proficient offense in NFL history in 2013, when he threw 55 touchdowns, and Denver’s offense scored 606 points.
It was very fitting that Manning’s amazing career would end with a victory in Super Bowl 50.
1. John Elway
Who else?
He leads the franchise in virtually every statistic out there.
Most games started?
Check. Elway has 231.
Most total yards?
Check. He has over 54,000.
Most passing yards, completions, and touchdowns?
Check. Check. Check.
John Elway is without a doubt, the greatest quarterback in Denver Broncos history.
Elway has taken the Denver Broncos to five Super Bowls as a player, and now he has another two as the current Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager.
It’s going to take a very long time before anyone can ever pass up John Elway’s legacy here in Denver.
And the most amazing part about his legacy?
He’s still building it.
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