John Elway has made another yet surprising move for Denver. This time he has fired GM Brian Xanders. Xanders was named the GM back in 2008 by Mike Shanahan. Xanders never did have control over the roster with Shanahan, McDaniels, or Elway.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post reported that the Denver Broncos and Brian Xanders have "mutually decided to part ways."
"It was tough because I have a great deal of respect for Brian as a football man but also as a person," Elway told Klis. "Even more so as a person. He was very helpful to me in this first year getting acclimated back to the NFL. I owe him a lot. Just from the conversation we had, we just thought for his career and for the Broncos we felt that now was the best time to go a different way."
"Brian has a great heart and is a loyal guy. He's the type of guy who would give you the shoe off his foot. This is the worst part of this business," Elway said.
Elway doesn't need to replace Xanders because he systematically changed the team's front office structure after one year on the job. He promoted Matt Russell from director of college scouting to director of player personnel. He hired Mike Sullivan to be in charge of contract negotiations. Xanders was left without a role worthy of the GM title.
"It is a streamline; we're not adding anybody," Elway said.
If anything, it is surprising Xanders lasted so long. Most personnel men in similar positions to survive coaching changes. Xanders' track record was spotty. The last drafts under Mike Shanahan were not strong. Xanders and McDaniels' first draft together was disastrous. Things improved dramatically the next draft in 2010-2011, but it's unclear how big a role Xanders played in the draft picks.
"John and I had a lengthy conversation today and we mutually decided to part ways for the best interest of my career aspirations,"’’ Xanders said. "I appreciated everything that Pat Bowlen has done for the Broncos and for bringing me here in 2008. It was great working with Coach John Fox. I'm telling you, he's a great coach to work with. And it was great working with John Elway."
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