| 2021 Denver Broncos season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | The Bowlen family (via Pat Bowlen’s estate) |
| General manager | George Paton |
| Head coach | Vic Fangio |
| Home field | Empower Field at Mile High |
| Results | |
| Record | 7–10 |
| Division place | 4th AFC West |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| AP All-Pros | FS Justin Simmons (2nd team) |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The 2021 season was the Denver Broncos' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 62nd overall. It was also the final season under the ownership of Pat Bowlen's estate who owned the team since the 1984 season.
2021 marked the first season since 2011 in which John Elway did not serve as general manager, as he relinquished those duties shortly after the end of the 2020 season. Elway remained part of the Broncos' personnel, as the president of football operations, and led the hiring of new general manager George Paton.
The Broncos started 3–0, albeit against teams who would combine for a 11–40 record (New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets), but after that, the Broncos' performance was memorably bad, going 4–10 the rest of the way, including losing their last four games. The Broncos' slightly improved on their 5–11 record from 2020, but missed the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season and suffered their fifth consecutive losing season—both the second-longest in franchise history following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.[1][2] Linebacker Von Miller, the Broncos' franchise record-holder for the most career sacks, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams at mid-season.[3]
Statistically, the Broncos' ranked third in scoring defense, and their defense also ranked within the top 10 in total yards and passing yards. However, their offense ranked in the bottom 10 in points scored, scoring 30+ points only twice and failing to reach 20 points in 9 of their 17 games, resulting in the firing of head coach Vic Fangio after three seasons.[4]
- ^ O'Halloran, Ryan (January 2, 2022). "Analysis: Broncos' short-comings on full display as they are eliminated from playoffs for sixth consecutive year". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ "Broncos eliminated from playoff contention, fall short of winning season in loss to Chargers". www.denverbroncos.com. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
- ^ "Broncos agree to trade with Rams to acquire 2022 second- and third-round picks for OLB Von Miller". Denver Broncos. November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- ^ "Broncos parting ways with HC Vic Fangio after three seasons". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2022.