The Broncos are looking forward to the days when they don’t have to make seismic changes. But those days aren’t here yet. Denver remains in major rebuilding mode after finishing 4-12 last year.
Mike Shanahan was fired after the 2008 season. Jay Cutler was traded before the 2009 season. Josh McDaniels was fired late in the 2010 season.
In 2009 and 2010, the Broncos signed or drafted 40 players who finished last season on the 53-man roster or on season-ending injured reserve. That’s almost constant change in the name of only 12 wins total in those two years.
After the 2010 season, John Elway returned to the Broncos as their executive vice president of football operations. John Fox was hired as head coach.
The Broncos play their third preseason game Saturday night, against the Seahawks in Denver. NFL teams typically use their third preseason game as a tuneup for the regular season.
How much have the Broncos changed in one year? Look at the players who were starters for them in the third preseason game last year, against the Steelers:
Shanahan, now coaching the Redskins, says he approaches each season knowing he will have to change a third of his roster. Turning over a third of your roster is one thing. Changing the direction of an entire franchise is another, and that’s what the Broncos have done twice in just 24 months.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
