Life is weird. Weird stuff happens. Already in 2017, we’ve seen a grilled cheese sandwich held hostage and Antarctica give birth to an iceberg the size of Delaware. But around these parts, here’s maybe the weirdest thing of all: The Broncos have dillied and dallied in getting John Elway signed to a new contract.

What’s the dang deal?

Way back on the second day of January, I asked Broncos president Joe Ellis why Elway was working in the final year of his deal and if we should be concerned the face of the franchise could walk as a free agent.

Ezra Shaw, Getty Images General Manager John Elway of the Denver Broncos looks on after their win over the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif.

John Leyba, The Denver Post John Elway, executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the Denver Broncos, share a laugh with Alfred Williams after practice during day 7 of training camp Aug. 4, 2016 at Dove Valley.

John Elway recieved the Mizel Institute's 2017 community enrichment award Wednesday. (Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)



Steve Nehf, The Denver Post Denver Broncos general manager John Elway and head coach Vance Joseph at the press conference following the team's selection of Garett Bolles in the first round of the NFL Draft at Dove Valley Thursday, April 27, 2017.

Broncos general manager John Elway calls Garett Bolles to congratulate him on being the team's first-round pick in the 2017 draft.

John Leyba, The Denver Post Denver Broncos John Elway, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations laughs during a press conference at the media bbq July 30, 2015 at Dove Valley.



Steve Nehf, The Denver Post Denver Broncos general manager John Elway speaks to the media about the upcoming NFL draft at Dove Valley Monday, April 24, 2017.

Matthew Stockman, Getty Images Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway fields questions from the media during a press conference to introduce Vance Josepf as the new head coach at the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre on Jan. 12, 2017 in Englewood.

David Zalubowski, The Associated Press In this March 20, 2012, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and executive vice president of football operations John Elway stands by as Manning holds up his new jersey during an NFL football news conference at the team's headquarters in Englewood.



Nearly 200 days ago, Ellis told me: “I don’t really see (John) working anywhere else. And I feel it’s important I do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen. Look at his record. Quite frankly, I could see teams calling and saying: ‘Hey, we’d like to have a discussion.’ I have no interest in losing him. I have every interest in keeping him.”

Well, life moves pretty fast, doesn’t it, Ferris?

Shortly after Ellis pledged his commitment to keeping Elway as the guru of football operations, I read a strange story about a guy in Maryland so irked about a family member sneaking a bite of his grilled cheese sandwich he chased everybody out of the house and barricaded himself and his meal inside until the cops arrived.

Which was pretty weird. But no weirder than: The Broncos have been in contract negotiations with Elway since at least October. And what’s happened so far? Zippo. Could Elway ever work for another NFL team? Oh, I doubt it, too. But stranger endings have happened.

Can I give you an example? The envelope, please. In February, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the fake news that “La La Land” had won the academy award for best picture.

If the team let Elway get away, Broncos Country would have a bigger meltdown than the Starbucks barista driven crazy by a Unicorn Frappuccino. Yet, in late April, when asked for an update on contract talks after the first round on the NFL draft, Elway curtly replied: “We’re not going to talk about that. We’re in the middle of this. We’re trying to get better as a football team. We’ll talk about that later.”

Alrighty then.

Hey, the big stuff takes time. That might explain why Emily Seilhamer, a 24-year-old designer from Pennsylvania, was so proud in May when announcing she had completed a dress made entirely out of 10,000 Starburst candy wrappers. About the same time, Elway vowed he “looked forward to being here with the Broncos for a long time” and added “I don’t think there will be any doubt” a deal would get done before Denver opened the season in September. Related Articles September 19, 2020 Kiszla: How should cute, little Nuggets fight back against big, haughty Lakers? One sharp elbow at a time.

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September 17, 2020 Kiszla: With Broncos already teetering on brink, here’s how Coach Fangio can save his job. Less Uncle Vic. More cowbell.

Well, the 57th birthday of Elway came and went. None of us is getting any younger. The Fourth of July has been crossed off the summer calendar, little yellow minions have made $160 million at the box office, Broncos training camp is just around the corner, and I have one nagging question for Mr. Ellis: Are we there yet?

New coach Vance Joseph doesn’t know who his starting quarterback is. The team’s stadium has been without a proper name since 2016. Elway is in the final year of his contract. This is not exactly business as usual.

Think the Broncos miss Pat Bowlen around Dove Valley Headquarters?

How hard could it be to cut a deal with Elway, the one man most responsible for the franchise’s three Super Bowl victories? What’s it going to take to get Elway to sign on the bottom line? An ownership stake in the Broncos? Or a total eclipse of the sun?