Broncos hire ex-Vikings exec Paton as Elway’s GM successor

ENGLEWOOD, COLO. » John Elway’s hand-picked successor as Broncos general manager is Vikings executive George Paton.

Elway announced the hiring Wednesday, a day after Paton visited the team’s state-of-the-art headquarters where the Super Bowl 50 trophy looks like a tribute to a bygone era with the franchise mired in a fiveyear playoff drought.

Paton, who agreed to a six-year contract, spent the last 14 seasons working alongside Vikings GM Rick Spielman in Minnesota, including the last six as assistant general manager. Since 2018, he also served as the team’s vice president of player personnel.

“It is an honor to be named general manager of an iconic franchise with a championship tradition like the Denver Broncos,” Paton said in a statement. “This organization has great resources, tremendous people, a talented young core of players and an outstanding coaching staff.

“In many ways, I feel like this team is a sleeping giant,” Paton added. “For me, it is the right place and the right time for this opportunity.”

Paton will be in charge of the draft, free agency and roster.

The 24-year NFL executive and longtime Spielman disciple has been one of the hottest names on the GM circuit in recent years, drawing interest from a dozen teams over the last decade, including the Lions this cycle.

Elway said it quickly “became clear why George has been such a coveted GM candidate for so many years. He is a proven evaluator who knows every detail of leading football operations. With his experience in all aspects of the job — the college and pro sides, salary cap, trades, working with the head coach and bringing the staff together — George is more than ready to succeed in this role.