The 2010 season was the Denver Broncos' 41st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 51st overall, the 10th playing their home games at INVESCO Field at Mile High and second and final under head coach Josh McDaniels. The off-season was marked by the draft selections of Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and All-American Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, as well as season-ending injuries to All-Pro linebacker Elvis Dumervil and free agent running back LenDale White. The team failed to improve on its 8–8 record from 2009, and set a new franchise record for losses in a single season, with a 4–12 record, which was their worst record in the post-merger era, and worst in a 16-game schedule. In addition, this was the Broncos' fifth consecutive non-playoff season, which was second-longest such streak in franchise history at the time, behind 1960–1976. The regular season was marked by a videotaping scandal and the firing of head coach Josh McDaniels after 12 games. Running backs coach Eric Studesville served as interim head coach for the final four games.
The Broncos had the league's worst defense in 2010, allowing a league-worst 471 points (29.4 per game) and 6,253 yards. It would be the only season the Broncos lost 12 games for 12 years.
Coaching changes On January 13, longtime offensive coordinator/line coach Rick Dennison was hired as the new offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. On January 14, longtime running backs coach Bobby Turner was hired to the same position with the Washington Redskins, reuniting him with former Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan. On January 18, the Broncos and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan decided to mutually part ways. On January 23, the following changes were made to the Broncos' coaching staff: Eric Studesville was hired as the new running backs coach. Bob Ligashesky was hired as the new tight ends coach, a position previously held by Clancy Barone, who was moved to offensive line coach. Bob Wylie was named the assistant offensive line coach. Ben McDaniels, younger brother of former head coach Josh McDaniels, became the quarterbacks coach, while Mike McCoy, who previously served as both quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, retained his position as offensive coordinator. On January 28, Don Martindale was promoted from linebackers coach to the defensive coordinator position that was previously vacated by Mike Nolan. On February 11, Craig Aukerman, who was previously a linebackers coach at Kent State University, was named the team's defensive assistant. On February 23, the coaching staff was finalized, when Brian Callahan was hired as a coaching assistant.
Firing of Josh McDaniels On December 6, head coach Josh McDaniels was fired, one day after the team's 10–6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. In addition to the team's sluggish performance (they had gone 5–17 since a 6–0 start to the 2009 season), the videotaping scandal was a factor in his ouster. According to The Denver Post, while Broncos' owner Pat Bowlen did not consider the incident something that merited firing McDaniels for cause, he and others in the Broncos' front office still felt his failure to report the incident was "unforgivable." Running backs coach Eric Studesville was named interim coach that same day.
Roster changes
Free agents Position Player Tag 2010 Team Notes S Josh Barrett None P Mitch Berger None OLB Elvis Dumervil None signed tender June 14, signed contract extension July 22,placed on injured reserve September 4 S Vernon Fox UFA None G Brandon Gorin UFA None LB Nick Greisen UFA Omaha Nighthawks (UFL) signed April 29, waived August 12 OT Ben Hamilton UFA Seattle Seahawks signed with the Seahawks on April 20 C Russ Hochstein UFA Denver Broncos signed March 5 DE Vonnie Holliday UFA Washington Redskins signed with the Redskins on May 17 G Chris Kuper RFA Denver Broncos signed June 4 CB Ty Law UFA None WR Brandon Lloyd UFA Denver Broncos signed March 5 WR Brandon Marshall RFA Miami Dolphins signed tender April 13, traded to the Dolphins on April 14 QB Kyle Orton RFA Denver Broncos signed tender April 16, contract extension August 19 PK Matt Prater ERFA Denver Broncos signed March 9, placed on injured reserve December 23 TE Tony Scheffler RFA Detroit Lions signed tender April 14, traded to the Lions on April 20 DE Le Kevin Smith RFA Denver Broncos signed March 11, released September 7,re-signed October 26, released November 9
Signings Position Player 2009 Team Notes RB J. J. Arrington Injured reserve signed March 5, traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on July 31 OLB Baraka Atkins San Francisco 49ers signed January 13, waived September 5 ILB Akin Ayodele Miami Dolphins signed April 24, released August 24 RB Lance Ball Practice squad player moved to the active roster on November 10, on final roster DT Justin Bannan Baltimore Ravens signed March 5, on final roster OT Kirk Barton Detroit Lions signed July 7, waived August 23 OLB Diyral Briggs San Francisco 49ers moved to the active roster on October 19,waived October 25 RB Andre Brown New York Giants signed September 5, released September 15,assigned to the practice squad on September 17,moved to the active roster on September 21,released October 16 G Jeff Byers Practice squad player moved to the active roster on December 23, on final roster WR Patrick Carter Seattle Seahawks signed August 5, waived August 23 OT Chris Clark Minnesota Vikings signed September 5, on final roster TE Daniel Coats Cincinnati Bengals signed November 9, released November 10,re-signed December 7, on final roster G Stanley Daniels Green Bay Packers signed May 14, waived December 11,moved to the active roster on December 22,on final roster WR Britt Davis New York Jets signed August 5, released September 4,assigned to the practice squad September 5,moved to the active roster December 13, on final roster LB Bruce Davis New England Patriots signed June 1, waived July 27 FB Kyle Eckel New Orleans Saints signed June 4, placed on injured reserve June 17 RB Justin Fargas Oakland Raiders signed August 11, released August 30 C Dustin Fry Carolina Panthers signed January 7, released August 19 DE Jarvis Green New England Patriots signed March 9, released September 4 K Steven Hauschka Atlanta Falcons/Detroit Lions signed December 11, on final roster LB Jason Hunter Detroit Lions signed August 19, on final roster CB Chevis Jackson New England Patriots signed December 20, on final roster CB Nate Jones Miami Dolphins signed March 5, on final roster DT Louis Leonard New England Patriots signed December 27, on final roster G Matt McChesney Injured reserve signed January 7, retired on May 16 LB Lee Robinson Practice squad player moved to the active roster on December 7,placed on injured reserve December 27 RB Kolby Smith Kansas City Chiefs signed June 15, waived August 4 TE Kory Sperry Miami Dolphins signed August 24 waived September 3 P A. J. Trapasso Tennessee Titans signed January 7, released June 15 LB David Veikune Cleveland Browns signed November 17, on final roster DT Kevin Vickerson Tennessee Titans signed September 7, on final roster RB LenDale White Tennessee Titans signed August 4, placed on injured reserve September 3 NT Jamal Williams San Diego Chargers signed March 9, on final roster LB Johnny Williams Pittsburgh Steelers signed August 12, waived September 3 OT Maurice Williams Jacksonville Jaguars signed May 6, released June 4 LB Worrell Williams Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL) signed August 20, released September 4,assigned to practice squad September 5,released September 14 Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's season.
Departures Position Player Notes NT Chris Baker released September 3 QB Tom Brandstater released June 4 LB Andra Davis released March 11 RB LaMont Jordan released February 23 LB Jarvis Moss waived November 17 DT J'Vonne Parker released March 11 C Seth Olsen released September 4 DT Kenny Peterson released March 10 OT Tyler Polumbus waived August 24 LB Darrell Reid released September 4 QB Chris Simms released March 15 WR Brandon Stokley released September 14 C Casey Wiegmann released February 23
Trades March 14: The Broncos traded fullback Peyton Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft selection and a 2012 conditional draft selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Brady Quinn. April 14: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2010 second-round draft selection (later traded to the Baltimore Ravens – see draft section below) and a possible 2011 second-round draft selection. April 19: The Broncos were involved in a three-team trade with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, with the team sending tight end Tony Scheffler to the Lions – see draft section below. July 30: Running back J. J. Arrington, who was signed to a contract in March after spending the entire 2009 season on the Injured Reserve, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for linebacker Joe Mays. However, since Arrington was released by the Eagles prior to the start of the season, the Eagles received the Broncos' sixth-round selection in the 2012 NFL draft. September 5: Cornerback Alphonso Smith was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for tight end Dan Gronkowski September 14: The Broncos acquired running back Laurence Maroney and a 2011 sixth-round draft selection from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2011 fourth-round draft selection.
Draft
2010 Denver Broncos Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes Trades 1 22 Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech signed July 31 25 Tim Tebow QB Florida signed July 29 2 45 Zane Beadles OT Utah signed July 27 – 3 80 J. D. Walton C Baylor signed June 17 – 87 Eric Decker WR Minnesota signed July 27 4 None 5 137 Perrish Cox CB Oklahoma State signed June 9 6 183 Eric Olsen C Notre Dame signed July 24 – 7 225 Syd'Quan Thompson CB California signed May 21 232 Jammie Kirlew DE Indiana signed May 25, waived September 3
Draft trades
Undrafted free agents All undrafted free agents were signed on April 26, unless noted otherwise. 2010 Denver Broncos undrafted free agents Player Position College Notes LB/DE Kevin Alexander Clemson released September 4,assigned to practice squad September 5,promoted to active roster October 16,released December 20 WR Alric Arnett West Virginia waived September 3 RB Toney Baker North Carolina State waived August 23 NT/DE Jaron Baston Missouri released June 17 LB Devin Bishop California released August 20 LB/DT Korey Bosworth UCLA released June 15 S Marcellus Bowman Boston College released May 6 RB Chris Brown Oklahoma released May 3 OT Paul Duncan Notre Dame waived September 3 DE Ben Garland Air Force placed on the reserve/military list TE Riar Geer Colorado released September 4,assigned to practice squad September 5 WR Patrick Honeycutt Middle Tennessee State waived August 5 WR Dicky Lyons, Jr. Kentucky signed May 3, waived July 6 T Chris Marinelli Stanford waived July 27 S Kyle McCarthy Notre Dame released September 4,assigned to practice squad September 5,promoted to active roster October 16,placed on injured reserve December 13 TE Nathan Overbay Eastern Washington waived September 3 G Michael Shumard Texas A&M released May 6 NT Jeff Stehle Wisconsin released September 4,assigned to practice squad September 14,released October 13 CB Cassius Vaughn Mississippi on final roster WR Landis Williams Maine waived July 6
Injuries August 4: Shortly after the start of training camp, the Broncos suffered a devastating blow to their defense, when outside linebacker/defensive end Elvis Dumervil suffered a torn pectoral muscle in practice. Though there was speculation that Dumervil would be able to return as early as November, he was placed on injured reserve on September 4, and missed the entire 2010 season.