DENVER -- John Elway provided the Broncos with their most memorable moments and both of their Lombardi Trophies. Now, he's being tabbed to direct another comeback.
The Hall of Fame quarterback is expected to rejoin the Broncos as their chief football executive by midweek, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Sunday. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal to bring Elway back to the franchise hasn't been completed.
Team spokesman Patrick Smyth said reports the team had already reached an agreement with Elway were premature: "Talks with John are progressing, but nothing has been finalized at this point," Smyth said.
Brian Xanders, who will go from the GM in name only to one who's empowered in the new organizational chart, said he was excited about Elway's impending return "because he's a winner, he knows football, he's going to hold people accountable, and he knows where we want to go, and he'll be a great leader for our organization."
Attempts to reach Elway and his agent, Marvin Demoff, were not successful.
The Broncos have won just one playoff game since Elway retired in 1999 following his second straight Super Bowl title and haven't reached the postseason in five years.
"You know he has the experience of being a football player for one, and being a Bronco for two," safety Renaldo Hill said. "He's just knowledgeable of the game. Anytime you have all of that right here in the city of Denver, I don't think you could ask for anything better than that. You know he's going to work his butt off because he put so much into this team when he was here. It's not going to change even though he's upstairs."
Rookie cornerback Perrish Cox said he thinks Elway can still work his magic even at age 50.
Including repairing the team's tarnished image.
"I think it will be a good situation to have that energy, that knowledge of what it takes to build a team from the ground up," receiver Brandon Lloyd said. "Growing up in Kansas City, I know all about John Elway and what he accomplished on the field. And his aura and the level of respect that current players have and should have for a legend, it should carry over."
Elway's first order of business will be to search for a coach. The Broncos (4-12) fired Josh McDaniels last month in the midst of their worst skid in four decades and in the wake of the Spygate II videotaping scandal.
ESPN reported that Elway would discuss the head coach opening with Stanford's Jim Harbaugh. A former Stanford star, Elway is serving as honorary captain for the Cardinal Monday night at the Orange Bowl.
First in line for an interview will be Eric Studesville, who was promoted to interim coach from running backs coach when McDaniels was fired Dec. 6 and went 1-3.