As if the news that the Broncos had finally figured out how to utilize their tight ends in a Gary Kubiak–Peyton Manning offense (see Sunday night’s dismantling of the Green Bay Packers) wasn’t good enough, John Elway went ahead and trumped his head coach and Hall of Fame quarterback on Monday afternoon with the news that the team had traded for two-time Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis.
The move immediately diversifies the portfolio of targets for Manning and returns a legitimate scoring and stretch threat at the tight end position – a weapon Manning has been effectively without since Julius Thomas was injured in St. Louis last year.
Davis, in his 10th year in the NFL, has spent his entire career with San Francisco, earning Pro Bowl nominations in 2009 and 2013. His 55 career touchdowns are fourth only to Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski and Jason Witten among active tight ends. He has averaged 3.17 catches and 40.6 yards per game over his career with the 49ers.
Needless to say, the news of the trade swept quickly across Broncos Country and was met with widespread excitement (and some obligatory skepticism). Here’s how the news came down and what the MHS team and the greater-Denver media had to say in the moments immediately following…
Here's the actual deal: SF is trading Vernon Davis and a 2016 7th-round pick to Denver for a 6th in 2016 and a 6th in 2017, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2015
Wow. Broncos with a bold move to shore up the tight end position. John Elway does it again!
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 2, 2015
The Broncos are projected to have 10 draft picks in 2016 (including compensatory picks). Trading two of them for Davis is chump change.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 2, 2015
Last night showed how good Peyton Manning and the #Broncos offense can be when they get a contribution from the TE position…
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 2, 2015
#Broncos considered trading up to take Vernon Davis in draft nine years ago. He’s a Bronco now.
— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonNFL) November 2, 2015
We've agreed to trade for two-time Pro Bowl TE Vernon Davis from SF. He'll be a valuable addition to our team w/his experience & leadership.
— John Elway (@johnelway) November 2, 2015
Vernon Davis, ladies and gentlemen. Would not have been my choice. But admire John Elway for going for it.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 2, 2015
It's a bold move by the #Broncos. One glaring weakness this year has been tight end. The question is, can Vernon Davis be the guy?
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 2, 2015
John Elway continues to get a lot for a little. Gave up basically nothing for a Pro Bowl TE. #GetErDone
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) November 2, 2015
Vernon Davis is a decent addition. Thought o-line help would have been what Elway addressed. Either way, he once again shows us he's all in.
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) November 2, 2015
Virgil Green and Owen Daniels make 6 catches for 105 yds vs GB, and less than 24 hrs later Broncos trade for Vernon Davis. Tuff biz.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 2, 2015
Julius Thomas was great in Denver but as a Jaguar, he's just a guy. Vernon is just a guy in San Fran but in Denver?
Do you get it now?
— Spano (@BrandonSpano) November 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/661309711342370816
Asked Kubiak about TEs 2 weeks ago, & he replied that he couldn't do the 2-TE/3-TE stuff he wanted to. Now that he has Vernon Davis, he can.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 2, 2015
Early results? Yeah, @Broncos fans like the trade for @VernonDavis85 https://t.co/J6MHdTdYrB pic.twitter.com/ChNtohRTfp
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 2, 2015
John Elway doesn't lay up, prefers hitting driver off the fairway.
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) November 2, 2015