The Denver Broncos have hired George Paton as general manager on a six-year deal.

Paton spent the previous 13 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

John Elway had promised to find the "best candidate, the best person" for the job. The Broncos also interviewed New Orleans Saints assistant general manager Terry Fontenot, Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly, the New England Patriots' Dave Ziegler and the Broncos' director of college scouting Brian Stark.

Elway, who has been the Broncos' top football decision-maker since 2011, announced Jan. 4 he was stepping away from the day-to-day personal operations but would remain as president of football operations at least through the final year of his current contract.

The Minnesota Vikings lost a number of key defensive pieces last offseason, something Mike Zimmer now admits he misjudged.

"I probably miscalculated some things going into the season when we lost all the guys that we lost the year before," Zimmer said. "We had a complete overhaul on defense, and sometimes that happens when you get to Year 7."

Minnesota lost Everson Griffin, Linval Joseph and three regular cornerbacks heading into the 2020 season.