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Former Denver Broncos GM John Elway looks on before the Broncos take on the Detroit Lions.
Denver Broncos legend John Elway will serve as the team’s honorary captain for Jan. 25’s conference championship game against the New England Patriots, the team announced on Jan. 23. Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback and former Broncos GM, is being brought back into the spotlight for Denver’s biggest game of the season.
Broncos Tap John Elway as Honorary Captain vs. Patriots
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Elway, who helped lead the Broncos to multiple AFC Championship Game victories in different roles, will be on hand as Denver’s honorary captain when the Broncos face the Patriots with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
It’s a classic “big moment, big name” move from the organization, especially with a matchup that already carries plenty of history for long-time NFL fans. Honorary captain selections are typically symbolic, but they’re also a clear message: this one matters, and Denver is leaning into its identity. With so much made this week of backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham replacing the injured Bo Nix, Elway making news is a welcome, exciting storyline for the franchise.
Elway’s presence should also be a jolt for the crowd and for Denver’s locker room as the Broncos try to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.
What It Means for Broncos vs. Patriots on Sunday
This is the biggest moment during the Broncos playoff schedule. The stakes here are simple: win, and Denver advances to the Super Bowl; lose, and the season ends.
Elway being honored doesn’t change Denver’s game plan, but it does add pressure and emotion to the moment. Teams don’t bring out franchise icons for nothing, especially not for a conference championship game. Elway has been limited in his contact with the team this season, offering rare candid views of Nix and the Broncos are various points.
It also puts the spotlight back on the Broncos’ current group of players and coaching staff to deliver in a spot where legacies get defined. If Denver wins, Elway’s pregame role becomes part of the storybook framing. If not, it’s a reminder of how hard these chances are to come by.
When Is the Broncos Game, What Time Is It, and Where the Injury Report Stands
Denver vs. New England is scheduled for Sunday in the conference championship round. The game is slated to kickoff at 3 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
On the Broncos injury report front, the most important update is usually the final practice participation and the official game-status designations heading into the weekend. The biggest storyline this week has been the return of star running back J.K. Dobbins to practice. If you’re tracking availability, keep it simple:
- Watch the final practice report and official injury designations (typically released late week/weekend).
- Monitor any Sunday morning inactive list news for last-minute surprises.
Those items will tell you far more than early-week estimates, especially with a season on the line.
Elway’s Broncos Legacy Still Hits Different
Elway’s resume is the kind that still pulls casual search interest anytime he pops up in news. Elway won two Super Bowls with the Broncos in 1998 and 1999. He also earned a Super Bowl ring as member of the Broncos front office. As a player he threw for 51,475 yards in his career, and 300 touchdowns. TalkSport estimates he holds a net worth of $145 million.
Denver is essentially tying Sunday’s moment to an era that defined the franchise.
That’s the point: honorary captains aren’t chosen to be subtle. They’re chosen to set a tone, history, expectation, and the feeling that this is exactly where the Broncos believe they belong.
If Denver delivers against the Patriots, Elway’s cameo becomes a clean “pass-the-torch” scene. If not, it’s still a reminder that conference championship games are rare, and that Denver is trying to treat this one like it’s supposed to feel.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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