The 2021 season was the Denver Broncos' 52nd season in the National Football League and the 62nd overall. It was also the final season under the ownership of Pat Bowlen's estate. 2021 marked the first season since 2011 in which John Elway did not serve as general manager, as he relinquished those duties shortly after the end of the 2020 season. Elway remained part of the Broncos' personnel, as the president of football operations, and led the hiring of new general manager George Paton.