DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 18: Executive vice president and general manager John Elway of the Denver Broncos is recognized during the pregame ceremony as his jersey number is retired before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on September 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos are 3-6 and have lost five straight games. Denver has been outscored 165-68 during the losing streak, and they have been outscored 55-9 in the first quarter of those games.

On Friday night, the media asked Broncos general manager John Elway about the team’s struggles, and the Hall of Fame quarterback said he thinks the team “got a little bit soft.”

That’s some eye-opening honesty in the middle of the season, and especially when it’s just nine games into Vance Joseph’s tenure as Broncos head coach.

And, while the Broncos’ defense isn’t playing to the level they were the previous few years, the team’s problems all start at the quarterback position.

Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler have combined to throw 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with a 73.5 passer rating. Barring an outstanding effort from the defense, that level of quarterback play isn’t going to be able to hang with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots. Those are the teams that just pummeled the Broncos over the last three games. It’s also harder for the defense to play to the level they’re capable of when they’re constantly on the field due to the ineptitude of the offense.

So, while the team probably shouldn’t be this bad, Elway still deserves a fair amount of blame for the team’s quarterback situation. Maybe 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch can still develop into a starting-worthy quarterback, but he’s failed to impress in his first two camps and he’s been out since the preseason with a shoulder injury.

Until the Broncos get the quarterback position settled, their ceiling isn’t very high unless the defense performs like the once-a-decade unit that won a Super Bowl two seasons ago. And those days appear to be gone.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.