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2015 Denver Broncos season

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2015 Denver Broncos season
OwnerThe Pat Bowlen Trust
General managerJohn Elway
Head coachGary Kubiak
Home fieldSports Authority Field at Mile High

The 2015 Denver Broncos season will be the franchise's upcoming 46th season in the National Football League, the 56th overall and the fourth season with Peyton Manning as the team's starting quarterback.[1]

Following their loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round of the 2014 playoffs, the Broncos' off-season has been marked by numerous coaching changes, including a mutual parting with head coach John Fox, and the hiring of Gary Kubiak as the new head coach.

Coaching changes

Departures

On January 12, 2015, one day after the Broncos' loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional round of the 2014 playoffs, the Broncos and head coach John Fox decided to mutually part ways. Fox compiled a 49–22 record in four seasons (including the playoffs), led the Broncos to four consecutive AFC West division titles, a first-round bye in three consecutive seasons as well as a berth in Super Bowl XLVIII, but lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs in three of his four seasons as head coach.[2] Fox departed with a .719 winning percentage in his four seasons as head coach — the highest in franchise history.[3] Four days later (January 16), Fox was hired as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.[4]

The following former Broncos' coaching assistants from 2014 were reunited with John Fox in Chicago: Defensive backs coach Sam Garnes, special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers,[5] defensive line coach Jay Rodgers,[6] offensive coordinator Adam Gase,[7] offensive line coach Dave Magazu, assistant special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II,[8] assistant strength & conditioning coach Jason George[9] and offensive quality control coach Bo Hardegree.[10]

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was hired as the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders,[11] defensive backs coach Cory Undlin was hired to the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles[12] and linebackers coach Richard Smith was hired to a senior defensive position with the Atlanta Falcons.[13]

Additions

On January 18, the Broncos finalized a deal that made Gary Kubiak the team's new head coach, and he was formally introduced at a press conference at the team's Dove Valley headquarters on January 20. Kubiak served as a backup quarterback to Broncos' executive vice president/general manager John Elway from 1983–91, and also served as the Broncos' offensive coordinator from 1995–2005, before serving as the Houston Texans' head coach from 2006–13. Kubiak served as the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator in 2014.[14]

The following seven coaching assistants were reunited with Gary Kubiak:

  • Rick Dennison was hired as the offensive coordinator. Dennison was a Broncos' linebacker from 1982–90, served as a Broncos' coaching assistant from 1995–2009, the Texans' offensive coordinator from 2010–13 and the Ravens' quarterbacks coach in 2014.[5]
  • Wade Phillips was hired as the defensive coordinator. Phillips served in the same capacity with the Texans from 2011–13. Phillips previously served as the Broncos' defensive coordinator from 1989–92 as well as the Broncos' head coach from 1993–94.[15]
  • Brian Pariani was hired as the tight ends coach. Pariani previously served as the Broncos' tight ends coach from 1995–2004, and served in the same capacity with the Texans from 2006–13 and with the Ravens in 2014.[5]
  • Bill Kollar was hired as the defensive line coach. Kollar served in the same capacity with the Texans from 2009–14.[16]
  • Reggie Herring was hired as the linebackers coach. Herring served in the same capacity with the Texans from 2011–13 and with the Chicago Bears in 2014.[13]
  • Tony Coaxum was hired as an assistant special teams coordinator. He served as a special teams coaching intern with the Ravens in 2014.[17]
  • Marc Lubick was hired as the assistant wide receivers coach. He served as a Texans' offensive coaching assistant from 2010–13 as well as a wide receivers coach at Vanderbilt University in 2014.[18]

Joe DeCamillis was hired as the special teams coordinator. DeCamillis, a Denver native, previously worked in the same capacity on Dan Reeves' staff with the Broncos from 1988–92, and most recently served as the Bears' special teams coordinator/assistant head coach from 2013–14. Clancy Barone, who had served as the Broncos' tight ends coach since 2011, was moved to the offensive line coach position that he held in 2010.[19] Joe Woods was hired as the defensive backs coach. Woods served in the same capacity with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.[15] Fred Pagac was hired as the team's outside linebackers coach. He served as the Buffalo Bills' linebackers coach in 2014.[17] Samson Brown was hired as the team's assistant defensive backs coach. Like Fred Pagac, Brown also served on the Bills' staff in 2014.[18]

Front office

On February 27, Jerry Butler, who served as the team's director of player development since 2011, was hired to the same position with the Chicago Bears. The Broncos declined to renew his contract following the 2014 season.[20]

Free agents

Position Player Tag 2015 Team Notes
LS Aaron Brewer RFA Denver Broncos re-signed March 5[21]
S Quinton Carter UFA
CB Tony Carter RFA assigned tender on March 9[22]
OT Paul Cornick ERFA assigned tender on March 6[23]
G Orlando Franklin UFA
G Ben Garland ERFA assigned tender on March 6[23]
TE Virgil Green UFA
LB Nate Irving UFA
LB Steven Johnson RFA
DT Terrance Knighton UFA
LB Brandon Marshall ERFA assigned tender on March 6[23]
C Will Montgomery UFA
S Rahim Moore UFA
TE Jacob Tamme UFA
WR Demaryius Thomas FT assigned franchise tag on March 2[24]
TE Julius Thomas UFA <Jacksonville Jaguars>
DT Mitch Unrein UFA
WR Wes Welker UFA

2015 draft class

2015 Denver Broncos Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 28
2 59
3 92
4[A] TBD
5 TBD[B]
5 TBD
6 TBD
7[C] TBD

Notes: As the result of a negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Broncos experienced during the 2014 free agency period, the team is expected to receive up to four compensatory selections for the 2015 draft.[28][29] The selections are projected to be a fourth-rounder, two sixth-rounders and a seventh-rounder.[30] Free agent transactions that occurred after June 1, 2014 did not impact the team's formula for determining compensatory selections for the 2015 draft.[31] Exact numbers of the selections from rounds 4–7 will be determined when compensatory selections are awarded at the NFL's annual spring owners' meetings in March.

Staff

Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group
Front office
  • President – Damani Leech
  • General manager – George Paton
  • Assistant general manager – Darren Mougey
  • Vice president of player personnel – Cody Rager
  • Director of player personnel – Reed Burckhardt
  • Director of pro personnel – A. J. Durso
  • Executive director of football operations – Kelly Kleine
  • Vice president of football administration – Rich Hurtado
  • Vice president of football operation and compliance – Mark Thewes
  • Vice president of player development – Ray Jackson
  • Director of college scouting – Brian Stark
  • Senior personnel executive – Roman Phifer
  • Senior personnel executive – David Shaw
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Nick Schiralli
Head coach
Offensive coaches
 
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator – Ben Kotwica
  • Assistant special teams – Chris Banjo
  • Assistant to the head coach – Paul Kelly
Strength and conditioning
  • Vice president of player health and performance – Beau Lowery
  • Head strength and conditioning – Dan Dalrymple
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Korey Jones
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Shaun Snee

Coaching staff
Front office
More NFL staffs

Current roster

Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve


As of December 10, 2024. Rookies in italics.

53 active, 4 reserve, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Schedule

Preseason

The Broncos' preseason opponents and schedule will be announced in the spring.

Regular season

2015 opponents

Listed below are the Broncos' opponents for 2015. Exact dates and times will be announced in April.[32]

Category Home Away
Divisional opponents
(AFC West)
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers
Conference opponents
(AFC North)
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers
Conference opponents
(based on 2014 division placement)
New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts
Interconference opponents
(NFC North)
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions

Other news and notes

On March 4, 2015, quarterback Peyton Manning agreed to a restructured contract that will pay him $15 million for the 2015 season. Under the original contract that Manning signed in 2012, Manning had been slated to earn $19 in 2015, and can earn back the $4 million through incentives.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ The Broncos traded their fourth-round selection, along with their 2014 second- and fifth-round selections to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 49ers' 2014 second- and seventh-round selections.[25]
  2. ^ The Broncos acquired this fifth-round selection as part of a trade that sent their 2014 fourth- and seventh-round selections to the Chicago Bears.[26]
  3. ^ The Broncos traded their seventh-round selection to the New York Giants in exchange for placekicker Brandon McManus.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b Klis, Mike (March 5, 2015). "Peyton Manning passes physical, making return to Broncos official". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Klis, Mike (January 12, 2015). "John Fox, Denver Broncos part ways after playoff loss to Colts". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  3. ^ Holden, Will (January 16, 2015). "Chicago Bears officially name John Fox new head coach". Fox 31 Denver. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  4. ^ Klis, Mike (January 16, 2015). "John Fox hired as Chicago Bears head coach: "I've been in places like this before"". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Klis, Mike (January 19, 2015). "Gary Kubiak adds Rick Dennison, Brian Pariani to Broncos' coaching staff". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  6. ^ Wright, Michael C. (January 26, 2015). "Jay Rodgers joins Bears' staff". ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Klis, Mike (January 21, 2015). "Adam Gase joins John Fox with Bears as offensive coordinator". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  8. ^ Wright, Michael C. (January 20, 2015). "Bears announce more coaching hires". ESPN. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Renck, Troy (January 22, 2015). "Strength coach Jason George to join John Fox in Chicago". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  10. ^ Alper, Josh (January 26, 2015). "Bears hire another former Broncos assistant". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Klis, Mike (January 14, 2015). "Jack Del Rio reaches agreement to become Raiders' head coach". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  12. ^ Wilkening, Mike (January 19, 2015). "Eagles hire Cory Undlin as DBs coach, tab Justin Peelle as TEs coach". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  13. ^ a b Klis, Mike (January 26, 2015). "Broncos' linebackers coach Richard Smith leaves to join Falcons". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  14. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (January 20, 2015). "Gary Kubiak: Denver Broncos job was "a game-changer"". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Klis, Mike (January 28, 2015). "Broncos hire Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  16. ^ Crabtree, Curtis (January 22, 2015). "Report: Texans D-line coach Bill Kollar to join Gary Kubiak in Denver". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Broncos hire Fred Pagac as OLB coach, Tony Coaxum as assistant special teams coach". The Denver Post. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Renck, Troy (February 13, 2015). "Gary Kubiak finalizes Broncos coaching staff with Marc Lubick, Samson Brown". The Denver Post. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  19. ^ Klis, Mike (January 20, 2015). "Joe DeCamillis hired as Broncos' special teams coordinator; Kubiak rounds out staff". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  20. ^ Klis, Mike (February 27, 2015). "Jerry Butler, Broncos player development director, jumps to Chicago Bears". The Denver Post. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  21. ^ Klis, Mike (March 5, 2015). "Aaron Brewer, Broncos agree to four-year, $4 million contract". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  22. ^ Klis, Mike (March 9, 2015). "Broncos tender restricted free agent cornerback Tony Carter". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  23. ^ a b c Renck, Troy (March 6, 2015). "Broncos tender contracts to Brandon Marshall, Ben Garland, Paul Cornick". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  24. ^ Klis, Mike (March 2, 2015). "It's official: Broncos put franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  25. ^ Caldwell, Gray (May 9, 2014). "Denver Broncos Trade for Latimer in Draft's Second Round". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  26. ^ Caldwell, Gray (May 10, 2014). "Broncos Trade Out of Fourth Round". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  27. ^ Klis, Mike (October 3, 2014). "Matt Prater released by Broncos; Brandon McManus wins kicking job". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  28. ^ Klis, Mike (May 10, 2014). "Moving up in draft costly, but necessary for Broncos". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  29. ^ Legwold, Jeff (May 8, 2014). "Live draft blog: Broncos, Rd. 1". ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  30. ^ "Projecting the Compensatory Draft Picks for 2015". Over The Cap. January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  31. ^ Florio, Mike (October 29, 2013). "2015 compensatory picks loom over possible deadline deals". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  32. ^ "Opponents set for 2015 NFL season". NFL.com. December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.