Broncos president Joe Ellis: John Fox 'saw the handwriting on the wall'

The Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox parted ways on Monday, one day after their AFC Divisional Playoff home loss to the Indianapolis Colts. It was a move some said they saw coming, and according to team president Joe Ellis, Fox may have been among them.

Ellis said to The Denver Post that the notion of making a coaching change had floated around the organization given Fox's failure to win a Super Bowl with three years of Peyton Manning under center. 

“The conversations were being had and nobody was naive to the situation,” Ellis said via Mark Kiszla of the Post. “I think he saw the handwriting on the wall. ...

“We really believe we have a chance to achieve and win the ultimate prize. We’ve now fallen short three straight years. … If you’re not trying to [win a championship], why would people buy the seats?”

In four years with the Broncos, Fox finished first in the AFC West every season, including in 2011 when they did not yet have Manning. In 2012, general manager John Elway convinced Manning to come to Denver. However, the Broncos were upset by the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.

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In 2013, Denver captured the AFC Championship before being blown out by the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Fox finished his career with the Broncos 16-18 and 3-4 in the playoffs. 

- Jack Jorgensen