Editing Denver Broncos (section)

====Vic Fangio years (2019–2021)====

On January 10, 2019, the Broncos hired [[Chicago Bears]] defensive coordinator [[Vic Fangio]] to become the 17th head coach in franchise history.<ref name="FangioBroncos">{{cite news|last=DiLalla|first=Aric|title=Broncos agree to terms with Vic Fangio to become head coach|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-vic-fangio-to-become-head-coach|website=DenverBroncos.com|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|date=January 10, 2019|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111000317/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-vic-fangio-to-become-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> Fangio was chosen over [[Mike Munchak]], the Broncos' offensive line coach. Fangio received a four-year contract with a team option for an additional season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2813413-vic-fangio-reportedly-hired-as-broncos-head-coach-over-mike-munchak|title=Vic Fangio Hired as Broncos Head Coach over Mike Munchak|last=Daniels|first=Tim|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202211752/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2813413-vic-fangio-reportedly-hired-as-broncos-head-coach-over-mike-munchak|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 13, 2019, [[Joe Flacco]] was traded to the Broncos from the Baltimore Ravens.<ref name="y376">{{cite news | last=Maske | first=Mark | title=Ravens agree to trade Joe Flacco to Broncos | newspaper=Washington Post | date=February 13, 2019 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/02/13/ravens-agree-trade-joe-flacco-broncos/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref> On October 6, 2019, the Broncos defeated the [[2019 Los Angeles Chargers season|Los Angeles Chargers]] for their 500th win, bringing their win–loss record to 500–432.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiedtke |first=Graham |date=October 7, 2019 |title=Denver Broncos win 500th game in team history against Chargers |url=https://predominantlyorange.com/2019/10/06/denver-broncos-win-500th-game-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220054841/https://predominantlyorange.com/2019/10/06/denver-broncos-win-500th-game-history/ |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=December 20, 2019 |website=Predominantly Orange |language=en-US}}</ref>

On December 1, 2019, the Broncos started [[Missouri Tigers football|Mizzou]] rookie quarterback [[Drew Lock]] for the first time.<ref name="n161">{{cite web | last=Stapleton | first=Arnie | title=Broncos name Drew Lock starter against Texans | website=Durango Herald | date=December 2, 2019 | url=https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/broncos-name-drew-lock-starter-against-texans/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref> He led the Broncos to a 4–1 record to end the [[2019 Denver Broncos season|2019 season]]. The Broncos finished 2nd place in the AFC West Division at 7–9, missing the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. In five games, Lock finished with 1,020 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drew Lock 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LockDr00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the [[2020 NFL season]] did not have a preseason or full training camps,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shook |first1=Nick |title=NFLPA tells players there will be no preseason games in 2020 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nflpa-tells-players-there-will-be-no-preseason-games-in-2020 |publisher=National Football League |date=July 21, 2020}}</ref> which likely contributed to an abnormally large amount of injuries that plagued the Broncos and other NFL teams. Star [[linebacker]] [[Von Miller]] suffered a season-ending ankle tendon injury before the regular season started, and starting [[wide receiver]] [[Courtland Sutton]] suffered a season-ending torn [[Anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] during a week two game.<ref name="p262">{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Tyler | title=Von Miller injury: Broncos star placed on injured reserve, reportedly will need ankle surgery | website=CBSSports.com | date=September 14, 2019 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/von-miller-injury-broncos-star-placed-on-injured-reserve-reportedly-expected-to-need-ankle-surgery/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref><ref name="j818">{{cite web | last=Legwold | first=Jeff | title=Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (ACL) out for season, QB Drew Lock out 3–5 weeks | website=ESPN.com | date=September 21, 2020 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29938560/sources-denver-broncos-wr-courtland-sutton-acl-season | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref>

On November 29, 2020, after all three of the Broncos' [[quarterbacks]] were placed in COVID-19 protocol, the Broncos were forced to turn to undrafted wide receiver and former college quarterback [[Kendall Hinton]] as the emergency quarterback.<ref name="g298">{{cite web | title=All Broncos QBs out vs. Saints due to COVID-19 protocols | website=New York Times| date=November 28, 2020 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4230185/2020/11/28/all-4-broncos-qbs-out-vs-saints-due-to-covid-19-protocols/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref><ref name="t128">{{cite web | last=Gardner | first=Steve | title=Kendall Hinton: Broncos' practice squad WR set to start at quarterback | website=USA TODAY | date=November 29, 2020 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2020/11/28/kendall-hinton-broncos-practice-squad-wr-start-quarterback/6454041002/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref> Hinton completed only one pass for 13 yards in 9 attempts—the fewest pass completions in a single game in franchise history—and was intercepted twice. The Broncos' only scoring play was a 58-yard field goal by [[placekicker]] [[Brandon McManus]] in a 31–3 loss to the [[2020 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]. In July 2021, the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] announced that Hinton's quarterback wristband would be added to the Hall of Fame as part of a display.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patra |first1=Kevin |title=Broncos WR Kendall Hinton has QB wristband displayed at Hall of Fame |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-wr-kendall-hinton-qb-wristband-pro-football-hall-of-fame |publisher=National Football League |date=July 9, 2021}}</ref>

The Broncos finished the 2020 season with a record of 5–11, last in the [[AFC West]], and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.<ref name="h689">{{cite web | last=Newman | first=Kyle | title=Broncos blasted by Josh Allen and Bills, 48–19, to cement Denver's fifth consecutive postseason miss, fourth straight losing season | website=Greeley Tribune | date=December 20, 2020 | url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2020/12/19/broncos-blasted-by-josh-allen-bills-week-15/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref>

Following another season of uninspiring [[quarterback]] performances, the Broncos were the subject of multiple quarterback trade rumors during the 2021 offseason. [[Aaron Rodgers]] and [[Deshaun Watson]] were two names rumored to be of interest for the Broncos, but ultimately the Broncos traded for quarterback [[Teddy Bridgewater]] on April 28, 2021. Bridgewater won the subsequent quarterback competition between himself and Drew Lock during the preseason, and he was named the Broncos' starting quarterback on August 25, 2021.<ref name="h258">{{cite magazine | last=McGavic | first=Matthew | title=Broncos Name Teddy Bridgewater Starting Quarterback | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=August 25, 2021 | url=https://www.si.com/college/louisville/football/bridgewater-named-starter | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref>

The Broncos also made notable improvements in the [[defensive back|defensive secondary]], signing former All-Pro [[cornerback]] [[Kyle Fuller]] and cornerback [[Ronald Darby]], as well as drafting [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] cornerback [[Patrick Surtain II]] with the ninth overall pick in the [[2021 NFL draft]]. [[Running back]] [[Phillip Lindsay]] was replaced by [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|UNC]] rookie running back [[Javonte Williams]], who was drafted in the second round of the [[2021 NFL draft]] by the Broncos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Scotty |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Denver Broncos select running back Javonte Williams with their 35th overall selection in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft |url=https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/4/30/22413073/denver-broncos-select-javonte-williams-second-round |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=Mile High Report |language=en}}</ref>

On October 31, 2021, [[Peyton Manning]] (who won two AFC Championships, [[Super Bowl 50]], and an [[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|NFL MVP]] during his four seasons as a Bronco) was inducted to the Broncos' [[Denver Broncos Ring of Fame|Ring of Fame]] during a game against [[Washington Commanders|Washington]].<ref>{{cite web|last=DeArdo|first=Bryan|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021: Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson lead the eight-member class|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021-peyton-manning-calvin-johnson-lead-the-eight-member-class/|website=CBSSports.com|date=February 6, 2021|access-date=April 26, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427093216/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021-peyton-manning-calvin-johnson-lead-the-eight-member-class/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 1, 2021, the Broncos traded franchise legend Von Miller to the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in exchange for a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the [[2022 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shook, Nick |date=November 1, 2021 |title= Broncos trade star LB Von Miller to Rams for two 2022 NFL Draft picks |publisher=National Football League |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-trade-star-lb-von-miller-to-rams |access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> At the time of the trade, Miller was the longest-tenured Bronco on the team, and the only remaining non-special teams player from Denver's Super Bowl 50 roster.<ref name="b591">{{cite web | last=Kiszla | first=Mark | title=Kiszla: Why the Broncos need Von Miller, the team's last Super Bowl hero standing, now more than ever | website=The Denver Post | date=April 7, 2020 | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/06/von-miller-last-super-bowl-50-hero-kiszla/ | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref>

After another mediocre performance in the [[2021 Denver Broncos season|2021 season]] with the Broncos going 7–10, head coach Vic Fangio was dismissed on January 8, 2022, after losing to the [[2021 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Middlehurst-Schwartz |first=Michael |date=January 9, 2022 |title=Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio fired after three seasons |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2022/01/09/denver-broncos-fire-coach-vic-fangio-playoff-drought/9148921002/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>