The 2020 NFL season is finally in the rearview, and it was a brutal one for the Denver Broncos. Injuries and questions and quarterback crushed the season and pushed playoff hopes back for at least one more season.

Now, our Broncos experts look ahead to 2021 and answer your most pressing questions about the GM search, what the Broncos should do at quarterback, and much more.

What do you think of John Elway’s decision to step down from his role as GM?

Doug Ottewill (@DOttewill): It’s a more noble way of doing what needed done. There’s no way a figure like John Elway should be unceremoniously “fired” so this was the best option while still trying to come up with a better solution at the GM position.

I think the big question, at least in my mind, is how much or how little authority a new GM will actually have. Since Gary Kubiak, the coaching hires have been glorified puppets – guys who are in charge of gameday but have no real say in the bigger picture. That’s been all Elway. So, will the new GM be able to walk in on Day One and say, “Hey, I’d like a new coach” or “We need to move on from Drew Lock”? I think that remains to be seen.

Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman): To me, it signals even more changes at the top (see: new ownership soon). It was the right time for him to step down, no doubt about it. The team has struggled to improve lately and Mr. B wouldn’t have stood for five straight seasons without the playoffs without someone getting fired.

Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars): I think it’s a mixed bag of positives and negatives. On the positive end, you’re getting an impartial and highly-respected talent evaluator to make a judgement on Drew Lock and the rest of the roster. On the negative end, it throws Denver into a state of transition a year before a potential ownership change, which could lead to even more transition.

What do you think the Broncos will do at quarterback this off-season, and what do you think they should do?

Doug Ottewill: As much as I hate to say it, I don’t think there’s much downside to riding out another season with Drew Lock. The best case scenario is that he develops and becomes a longterm solution for the franchise.

There’s no such thing as a quick fix out there, and barring a miracle, they’re not moving up far enough to get Trevor Lawrence of Justin Fields. Perhaps the best thing they can do is roll on with Drew Lock and take a rookie QB with some upside. Let that QB become an understudy and see what ultimately becomes of Lock by the end of 2021 and go from there. No matter what, the Broncos aren’t winning the AFC West anytime soon, so now is the time to see what you’ve got…still.

Rich Kurtzman: I think they will bring in a veteran to compete with Lock. That’s what they should do, too. (I wouldn’t be mad if the new GM pulled off a big trade, either.)

Zach Segars: I think the Broncos will likely give Lock another season assuming he can beat a competent form of veteran competition. However, I think they should take advantage of having a top 10 pick in a loaded QB draft. Remember, this year’s rookie class outperformed all of the year two quarterbacks and a good chunk of the year quarterbacks. It can be done.

What is the biggest problem the Broncos have to fix this off-season?

Doug Ottewill: The right tackle position is, and has been, a complete mess. Can you really count on Ja’Waun James? I can’t. That position needs to be solidified.

Rich Kurtzman: Great teams win because they execute in all three phases. Tom McMahon has to be let go and that unit needs to improve to a respectable level. For now, it’s helping the team lose games.

Zach Segars: It has to be cornerback. You have a borderline All-Pro in Bryce Callahan but no help surrounding him unless Michael Ojemudia can make a big leap in year two. Even if Ojemudia does make such a leap, you’ll still have to find another starer with A.J. Bouye potentially elsewhere.

Who is one player the Broncos must bring back?

Doug Ottewill: Justin Simmons. The last thing the defense needs is one more new piece. It’s had so much turnover and injury, and Simmons is a reliable Pro Bowler. Sign him and be done with it.

Rich Kurtzman: Von Miller. He’s the greatest defender in the history of the team and still has a lot of gas in the tank. Let him lead the defense for the next few years and reevaluate then.

Zach Segars: Justin Simmons. He is an ideal franchise building block. He might not be Earl Thomas, but he’s the closest thing in 2020’s NFL, operating as the ideal modern free safety. As an added bonus he might be the best human being in the NFL as well.

How optimistic are you feeling about the 2021 season?

Doug Ottewill: Optimistic that I can make vacation plans in January 2022.

Rich Kurtzman: Middle of the road. We saw some improvement in the offense late in the year and they will get back injured playmakers in Lindsay (if he’s re-signed) and Sutton. It all rests on Lock’s shoulders on that side of the ball. Defensively, we need to see who they bring back and who they let go. But Fangio has coached them up well.

Zach Segars: I feel very optimistic outside the quarterback position. If the Broncos can get league-average play from their quarterback — whether that be Lock or someone else — they’ll be in the playoff hunt.