Broncos’ Vic Fangio points out QB gap to explain why team lags in AFC West

The Broncos wrapped up a second consecutive last-place season Saturday with a 28-24 loss at home to the Chiefs. Denver (7-10) finished 1-5 vs. the AFC West for the second year in a row, as well.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio was asked in his postgame press conference why there is so wide a gap between his team and the rest of the division. His response was focused on one area.

“Those other three teams have top-shelf quarterbacks, which is obvious to everybody,” Fangio said. “We just need to get a little bit better.”

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“We had a good game against the Chargers (a win in Week 12), last week was the COVID game and we had a tough day (against LA). Close game with the Raiders the second time (a 17-13 loss in Week 16). Obviously both games with the Chiefs, I think, were tight (Denver lost 22-9 in KC in Week 13).

“We’re not quite there yet, but we’re close. I think the foundation is there for this franchise to close the gap and become more of a factor in this division.” 

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The Broncos haven’t won the West since 2015; they went on to win Super Bowl 50 that season. They haven’t had a winning record since 2016, when they were 9-7. In the past six seasons, Denver has finished last in the division three times, third twice and second once. 

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The team hired Fangio as their head coach in January 2019 and signed him to a four-year contract with a fifth-year team option. His quarterbacks during his time in Denver have been Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, Brandon Allen, Jeff Driskel, Brett Rypien, Kendall Hinton and Teddy Bridgewater. 

According to multiple reports, Fangio could learn as early as Sunday whether he will be back for a fourth season. He told reporters after Saturday’s loss that he had a conversation with general manager George Paton during the week.

Asked what the two men discussed, Fangio responded, “Everything.”  Addressing ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold, he said, “I’ll be good, Legs. Don’t worry about me.”