No San Diego Chargers. You can’t have the guy that helped build the Broncos into a team that’s been whipping you for the AFC West title the past two seasons.

The Chargers, seeking a general manager after firing A.J. Smith on Monday, sought permission from the Broncos on Monday to interview Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell. John Elway, the Broncos’ executive vice president of football operations, talked to Russell about it and decided to decline the Chargers’ permission.

“Matt’s done a tremendous job with the Broncos and he’s got a very bright future ahead of him,” Elway said.

It’s not that Russell is not a GM candidate for other teams. It’s just that Elway may not want someone so familar with how the Broncos operate within the organization to bring that knowledge to teams within their AFC West Division. It’s also unlikely the Chargers’ new GM will have full authority over personnel matters with the restructuring of their front office.

“I’ve got the best owner in sports here (Pat Bowlen) and the best boss in John Elway,” Russell said. “I want to be part of something special in the state I love.”

Russell was a Butkus Award Winner as the best linebacker in the nation following his senior year at the University of Colorado in 1994. He joined the Broncos in 2009 as their director of college scouting. He was promoted to Elway’s right-hand man in May.