INDIANAPOLIS — Did you feel that?

That right there was a seismic shift as it relates to the Denver Broncos and their perceived approach to the 2019 NFL Draft.

Drew Lock? Kyler Murray? Dwayne Haskins? Daniel Jones?

No. Nope. Nah. Nay.

You can kiss the idea of the Denver Broncos drafting a quarterback in the first round goodbye. Joseph Vincent Flacco, that’s their man. If he can’t do it, the Broncos are canned.

As the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine has reached its cruising altitude, and league buzz has filled the air like cotton on a Colorado summer day, what we should have known all along has become clear—the Broncos, as always, are in win-now mode, and they are going to use their best chance to improve their roster this offseason to do exactly that.

For all of the benefits of drafting a quarterback in the first round, of which there are many, it’s the worst move you can make from the standpoint of winning in 2019 if you already believe Joe Flacco is your starter. In the end, there’s a good chance your first-round pick is going to be on the bench, and that doesn’t help you win at all.

You don’t even have to look behind the curtain to come away with this take. Have a look at some of the hints today given out in formal-press-conference settings on Wednesday.

• When asked if people were too quick to dismiss this year’s quarterback class, Elway danced for two sentences before bringing up that “a lot of people are excited about next year’s class.”
• Elway directly shut down the idea of Kyler Murray—arguably the best QB in the class—being a Bronco, noting that short quarterbacks can’t play under center before explaining how important it is to him for the quarterback to play under center.
• Elway explained that his preference would be for Case Keenum to take a pay cut and stay in Denver, a move that would not make sense at all if a first-round quarterback in the mix.
• When talking about this year’s quarterback class, Elway also pointed out that the Broncos owe Case Keenum $7 Million no matter what, and that’s just the cash portion. Keenum would cost $10 Million in dead money against the cap. Bringing in Joe Flacco, cutting Case Keenum and drafting a rookie would have the Broncos spending over $30 million on quarterbacks next season just to have Joe Flacco as their starter.
• Vic Fangio wasn’t shy in sharing that he believes the Broncos have so many needs that they are in a position to draft the best player available knowing that they will need help at whatever position they play. Traditionally, quarterbacks are over-drafted, meaning they are rarely the best player on the board when they are picked, especially outside of the top-five.

Get the picture? And all of that was said in public.

Behind the scenes, the Broncos are far more enamored with Flacco than most of those outside of the building. He is believed to be a great fit for what the team is trying to do on offense, giving Rich Scangarello a “full arsenal” of downfield route options to go along with the team’s intent to run the ball and set up play action.

If you don’t believe in Joe Flacco, you might want to make alternate plans for Fall Sundays in 2019, because he is the guy for the Broncos next year.

The season will serve as the ultimate “prove it” opportunity for the 34-year-old former Super Bowl MVP. Light it up, and the Broncos will continue to build that winning roster with you. Pull a 2018 Case Keenum, and suddenly Denver can go from $28.5 million against the cap at the quarterback position in 2019 to zero in 2020. A chance to truly start fresh that conveniently comes right when that “special” class of quarterbacks will become available.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, John Elway referred to 2020 QB prospect Justin Herbert as simply “Justin” on the day. Eat your heart out Beiber and Timberlake.

For 2019, though, it is how it’s always been—win now. So get used to Joe Flacco and start checking out highlights of the first-round talent at all the other positions.