Editing Denver Broncos (section)

====Josh McDaniels years (2009–2010)====
On January 11, 2009, two weeks after Shanahan was fired, the Broncos hired former New England Patriots' offensive coordinator [[Josh McDaniels]] as the team's new head coach.<ref>{{cite news|title=ENTER MCDANIELS|url=https://history.denverbroncos.com/2009/01/enter-mcdaniels/|website=DenverBroncos.com|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|date=January 11, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805134304/https://history.denverbroncos.com/2009/01/enter-mcdaniels/|url-status=live}}</ref> Three months later, the team acquired quarterback [[Kyle Orton]] as part of a trade that sent Jay Cutler to the [[Chicago Bears]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Clayton |first1=John |last2=Werder |first2=Ed |date=April 2, 2009 |title=Broncos send Cutler to Bears for Orton, 3 picks |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4037373 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

Under McDaniels and Orton, the Broncos jumped out to a surprising 6–0 start in [[2009 Denver Broncos season|2009]]. However, the team lost eight of their next ten games, finishing 8–8 for a second consecutive season and missing the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/2009.htm |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The next season ([[2010 Denver Broncos season|2010]]), the Broncos set a new franchise record for losses in a single season, with a 4–12 record.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stapleton, Arnie |title=Broncos lose franchise-record 12th game as Chargers win 33–28 |url=http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-chargers-broncos-10211-txt,0,3858640.story |work=Fox 31 Denver |date=January 3, 2011 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006082419/http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-chargers-broncos-10211-txt,0,3858640.story |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}</ref> McDaniels was fired before the end of the 2010 season following a combination of the team's poor record and the fallout from a highly publicized [[Steve Scarnecchia|videotaping scandal]].<ref name="u854">{{cite web | last=Legwold | first=Jeff | title=Broncos videotape scandal results in fine, embarrassment | website=The Denver Post | date=November 27, 2010 | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2010/11/27/broncos-videotape-scandal-results-in-fine-embarrassment/ | access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref> Running backs coach [[Eric Studesville]] was named interim coach for the final four games of the 2010 season.<ref>{{cite news |author=Klis, Mike |title=McDaniels fired as Broncos coach after controversy, losses pile up |url=http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_16791509 |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2010 |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209140140/http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_16791509 |url-status=live }}</ref> He chose to start rookie first-round draft choice [[Tim Tebow]] at quarterback for the final three games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tim Tebow 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TeboTi00/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>