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Owner Greg Penner Defends Broncos’ Communications Director After Post Considered Offensive to Buffalo Bills Following Intense Playoff Game

Denver, Colorado – January 21, 2026

Following the controversy surrounding a social media post by the Denver Broncos’ communications director, team owner Greg Penner has spoken out in defense of his staff member, acknowledging that while the post wasn’t the best approach, it didn’t change the fact that the Broncos played with immense spirit and deserved the win. The post, aimed at Buffalo Bills after the Broncos’ 33–30 victory in the AFC Divisional Round on January 17, sparked backlash from Bills fans when it criticized them with the phrase "Bills Ma-cry-a."

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Despite the post being quickly deleted and receiving strong criticism, Greg Penner stated he understood it was a mistake but emphasized that it did not detract from the fact that the Broncos played their hearts out in a thrilling game and deserved to win. In an official statement, Penner defended the Broncos' players for their dedication and felt they shouldn’t be unfairly judged due to outside criticism from opponents.

“While I understand the post wasn’t the best approach, we can’t ignore that the Broncos played with immense determination. We fought with everything we had, and this victory was well-deserved. To me, that was the win of a strong, hard-working team. The Bills’ fans constantly blaming the refs and crying only serves to cover up the reality that the Broncos played better in that game.”

Penner also mentioned that the team's focus on showing determination and high-spirited play throughout the season, especially in such intense playoff games, was the most important thing. While the communications director's post may have overshadowed their proud win, Penner believes the team should be recognized for their efforts on the field rather than being blamed or criticized by other teams.

“We don’t want outside criticism to overshadow what we’ve achieved. The Broncos players deserve respect for their fighting spirit, and that’s the most important thing.”

However, this incident also serves as a reminder of the power of communication and how teams must deal with public reactions. Penner committed that the team would review its communication processes to avoid similar mistakes in the future but reaffirmed that the winning spirit and mutual respect would always be their top priority moving forward.

Certainly, Greg Penner’s defense of the communications director, although met with criticism from some fans, clarified the Broncos’ stance: they deserve the win and won’t be swayed by unfair accusations from rivals. Broncos fans can continue to trust their team in the next game, with unwavering fighting spirit.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy .
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.