Broncos GM George Paton & Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett meet the media at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis (Photo: Brandon Krisztal/KOA)
Since Peyton Manning retired in March of 2016, the conversation this time of year in Broncos Country is always about find the next quarterback to lead this franchise. This year is no different. And, after a year with no NFL Scouting Combine, the league's decision makers, agents, media and 334 prospects have returned to Indianapolis, perhaps for the last time, as teams try to find the next great player.
Tuesday marked the first time Broncos General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett both met the national media for the first time in their new roles(because there was no Combine last year for Paton to attend). As expected, both GM and Coach were asked about QB situation and the plan to upgrade it.
When asked about the traits he looks for in a signal caller, Hackett listed 4 things: Toughness, Intelligence, Accuracy, and said "if you can get an athlete, that's a bonus.
Denver has 11 draft picks, including 3 in the 1st round, and Paton repeated the same comments he made last year when they picked 9th overall in the 1st round as well, that they could move up, or move back, or stay put, but having flexibility was key. As for where he'll find a quarterback, Paton didn't seem to mind where that signal-caller comes from. "we just want the best guy, we don't care if it's free agency, if it's the draft, we don't care if it's a trade, we're just gonna exhaust all options to get the best guy for the Broncos."