Editing Denver Broncos (section)

====Gary Kubiak years (2015–2016)====
On January 12, 2015, one day after the divisional playoff loss to the Colts, the Broncos and [[List of Denver Broncos head coaches|head coach]] [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]] mutually agreed to part ways.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wesseling|first=Chris|title=John Fox, Denver Broncos part ways after four seasons|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/john-fox-denver-broncos-part-ways-after-four-seasons-0ap3000000457308|publisher=National Football League|date=January 12, 2015|access-date=January 12, 2015|archive-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113005134/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000457308/article/john-fox-denver-broncos-part-ways|url-status=live}}</ref> Fox left the Broncos with a .719 winning percentage in his four seasons as the Broncos' head coach—the highest in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web |author=Holden, Will |title=Chicago Bears officially name John Fox new head coach |url=http://kdvr.com/2015/01/16/chicago-bears-officially-name-john-fox-new-head-coach/ |work=[[KDVR|Fox 31 Denver]] |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=January 16, 2015 |archive-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123222403/http://kdvr.com/2015/01/16/chicago-bears-officially-name-john-fox-new-head-coach/ |url-status=live }}</ref> One week later, the Broncos hired [[Gary Kubiak]] as the team's 15th head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Gary Kubiak takes over Broncos |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12191685/denver-broncos-hire-gary-kubiak-new-head-coach |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Kubiak served as a backup quarterback to executive vice president/general manager John Elway from 1983 to 1991, as well as the Broncos' offensive coordinator from 1995 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jhabvala, Nicki |title=Gary Kubiak: Denver Broncos job was "a game-changer" |url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_27357330/gary-kubiak-denver-broncos-job-was-game-changer |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=January 20, 2015 |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120222648/http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_27357330/gary-kubiak-denver-broncos-job-was-game-changer |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shortly after Kubiak became head coach, the Broncos underwent numerous changes to their coaching staff and players, including the hiring of defensive coordinator, defensive mastermind [[Wade Phillips]], under whom the Broncos' defense went from middle of the road to being ranked No. 1 in the NFL. By the [[2015 Denver Broncos season|2015 season]], it would go on to be considered one of the greatest NFL defenses of all time&nbsp;— along with the 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens and 2002 Buccaneers.<ref name="v687">{{cite web | last=Clayton | first=John | title=Broncos' defense is among best ever | website=ESPN.com | date=February 6, 2016 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14723383/denver-broncos-defense-2015-best-ever-nfl | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> The Broncos finished with a 12–4 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed, despite [[Peyton Manning]] having his worst statistical season since his rookie year with the [[Indianapolis Colts]] in {{nfly|1998}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2016 |title=Peyton Manning Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002144105/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Backup quarterback [[Brock Osweiler]] started the last six games of the regular season due to Manning suffering from a foot injury.<ref name="i843">{{cite web | last=Tabish | first=Dillon | title=Osweiler's Clutch Performance Seals Broncos Playoff Berth | website=Flathead Beacon | date=December 29, 2015 | url=https://flatheadbeacon.com/2015/12/29/osweiler-guides-broncos-to-win-playoff-berth/ | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> Manning led the Broncos throughout the [[2015–16 NFL playoffs|playoffs]]. The Broncos defeated the [[2015 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] 23–16 in the Divisional Round and the [[2015 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] 20–18 in the AFC Championship.<ref name="o085">{{cite web | title=Denver Broncos top Pittsburgh Steelers 23–16 | website=NFL.com | date=January 17, 2016 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/denver-broncos-top-pittsburgh-steelers-23-16-0ap3000000624643 | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref><ref name="e282">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Tim | title=Denver Broncos defeat New England Patriots 20–18 in wild finish to AFC Championship Game, advance to Super Bowl: Live updates recap | website=OregonLive | date=January 25, 2016 | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/2016/01/new_england_patriots_vs_denver_1.html | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> They were victorious against the [[2015 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] 24–10 in [[Super Bowl 50]] for their third Super Bowl title.<ref>{{cite news |author=Renck, Troy |title=Von Miller, defense carry Broncos to Super Bowl 50 victory |url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_29489135/von-miller-defense-carry-broncos-super-bowl-50 |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=February 7, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208203654/http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_29489135/von-miller-defense-carry-broncos-super-bowl-50 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 7, 2016, quarterback Peyton Manning retired after 18 NFL seasons during a press conference at the team's [[Dove Valley, Colorado|Dove Valley]] headquarters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Swanson|first=Ben|title=Peyton Manning to retire after Super Bowl finish to 18-year NFL career|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/peyton-manning-to-retire-after-super-bowl-finish-to-18-year-nfl-career-16897919|website=DenverBroncos.com|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|date=March 5, 2016|access-date=February 11, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729210234/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/peyton-manning-to-retire-after-super-bowl-finish-to-18-year-nfl-career-16897919|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Renck|first=Troy|title=Peyton Manning retires from football: "I love the game...I will miss it."|url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_29606293/peyton-manning-retires-from-football-i-fought-good-fight|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309045655/http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_29606293/peyton-manning-retires-from-football-i-fought-good-fight|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Following Manning's retirement, the Broncos scrambled to find the team's next starting quarterback after backup quarterback Brock Osweiler departed on a four-year contract to the [[2016 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]].<ref name="t831">{{cite web | last=Rosenthal | first=Gregg | title=Brock Osweiler agrees in principle to $72M Texans deal | website=NFL.com | date=March 9, 2016 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/brock-osweiler-agrees-in-principle-to-72m-texans-deal-0ap3000000642792 | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> The Broncos acquired [[Mark Sanchez]] from the [[2016 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] and selected [[Paxton Lynch]] during the [[2016 NFL draft|2016]] draft.<ref name="d940">{{cite web | last=Sessler | first=Marc | title=Mark Sanchez acquired by Broncos in trade with Eagles | website=NFL.com | date=March 11, 2016 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mark-sanchez-acquired-by-broncos-in-trade-with-eagles-0ap3000000643643 | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref><ref name="z129">{{cite web | title=Denver Broncos trade up to select QB Paxton Lynch | website=NFL.com | date=April 28, 2016 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/denver-broncos-trade-up-to-select-qb-paxton-lynch-0ap3000000657291 | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> Sanchez, Lynch and second-year quarterback [[Trevor Siemian]] competed for the starting quarterback spot during the off-season and preseason. Prior to the [[2016 NFL season|regular season]], Sanchez was released and Siemian was named the starter.<ref name="z198">{{cite magazine | title=Denver Broncos cut QB Mark Sanchez | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=September 3, 2016 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/09/03/denver-broncos-mark-sanchez-released-trevor-siemian-starting-quarterback. | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref><ref name="o365">{{cite web | last=Jhabvala | first=Nicki | title=Trevor Siemian named Broncos' starting quarterback for season opener | website=The Denver Post | date=August 29, 2016 | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/29/trevor-siemian-broncos-starting-quarterback-season-opener/ | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> The Broncos finished the season 9–7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.<ref name="a520">{{cite web | title=Broncos, Panthers miss playoffs after Super Bowl 50 | website=NFL.com | date=December 25, 2016 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-panthers-miss-playoffs-after-super-bowl-50-0ap3000000763687 | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/2016.htm |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On January 2, 2017, coach Gary Kubiak announced his retirement, citing health as the main reason for retiring.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=January 2, 2017 |title=Broncos coach Gary Kubiak retires from coaching |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-coach-gary-kubiak-retires-from-coaching-0ap3000000768140 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103000851/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000768140/article/broncos-coach-gary-kubiak-retires-from-coaching |archive-date=January 3, 2017 |access-date=January 2, 2017 |work=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League}}</ref>