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DENVER — The National Football League’s Denver Broncos in May promoted Russell native Reed Burckhardt to assistant general manager.
The position opened when Darren Mougey was named New York Jets general manager on Jan. 25, 2025.
Burckhardt moved up from director of player of personnel to his new role, now next-in-command to Broncos’ GM George Paton.
“It was a natural transition,” explained Burckhardt, a Class of 2004 Russell-Tyler-Ruthton graduate. He played under then Knights’ coach Kent Mikkelsen.
Russell native Reed Burckhardt was promoted to Denver Broncos assistant general manager during the spring. (Contributed photo from The Associated Press)
Burckhardt said as assistant GM he will serve as the department head over both pro personnel and college scouting.
In his role, Burckhardt helps in various operations including player evaluations, scouting and identifying talent to make Denver better under Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton.
The Broncos are coming off a 30-9 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 9, in Santa Clara, Calif.
Two of Denver’s recent free agency additions sparked the win, with quarterback Jarrett Stidham going 14-of-15 for 136 yards and two TD — one of those scoring receptions to wide receiver Trent Sherfield, Sr. The Bronco defense limited the 49ers to 203 total yards.
Burckhardt’s career began at his collegiate alma mater, South Dakota State University. During the 2008 season, he was a student assistant helping with both recruiting and coaching.
Time with the Vikings
One year later, an opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings presented itself, and Burckhardt worked with his home state NFL team until May 2022 — then following Paton to Denver.
During the formative stages of his time with the Vikings, Burckhardt would make airport runs for players, handle logistics and other administrative tasks.
Burckhardt said the most important aspect of his job was to be “versatile.” That included running the sound system at practices, including pumping in artificial crowd noise, and equipment storage.
So much happens in the day-to-day operations of a professional sports franchise. And Burckhardt has been part of the league’s technological embrace.
Gone are the days of magnet boards. Players are now tracked using Microsoft-branded tablets, with all sorts of measurable numbers and statistics at Burckhardt’s fingertips.
These are some of the various positions Burckhardt has commanded as he rose up the ladder in the Vikings’ front office: player personnel assistant, area scout, pro scout, assistant director of pro scouting and director of pro scouting in 2021.
Burckhardt has enjoyed a blessed football life, learning the sport under his father Keith, longtime SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier, and Paton among them.
Through his father, Keith, Reed Burckhardt learned hard work. That meant being a ball boy during his youth and helping line the field for Knights’ practices and games while in high school.
During his senior season at RTR, Burckhardt quarterbacked the Knights, completing more than 50 percent of his passes for 1,260 yards, 10 TD and just three interceptions as a first team all-area selection.
While at SDSU, Burckhardt learned Stiegelmeier’s team-first approach to coaching, and Reed said it was a blessing to be “part of his program.”
“Our locker room camaraderie was so strong,” he said. “It was a brotherhood, and I played with some wonderful teammates. We loved to go to work for each other.”
As a Jackrabbit, Burckhardt played quarterback and saw additional time on special teams. He had a rushing TD in the 2005 Hobo Day game versus Missouri-Rolla (now known as Missouri S&T).
In spring 2008, Burckhardt graduated with his degree in general business.
Broncos turn corner
Burckhardt called Paton, his boss, a “wonderful leader” as the Broncos qualified for the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50 in February 2016. Denver went 10-7, outscoring opponents 425-311.
Broncos’ general manager George Paton talks during a press conference from July 2025. (Contributed photo by R.J. Sangosti/Denver Post)
Denver made significant strides in free agency this offseason, signing former 49ers Talanoa Hufanga (safety) and Dre Greenlaw (linebacker), and experienced skill position players Evan Engram (tight end) and J.K. Dobbins (running back).
Last week, the Broncos took care of additional business giving edge rusher Zach Allen a four-year extension. Allen is one of the top players at his position, generating 40 quarterback hits during the 2024 campaign.
The Denver 2025 draft class features first-round pick, University of Texas cornerback Jahdee Barron, Central Florida rusher R.J. Harvey in the second round, third-round wideout Pat Bryant (Illinois) and fourth-round edge rusher Sai’vion Jones (LSU).
Burckhardt’s influence is broad.
“He played a very big part in helping me get an internship with the Vikings,” said current Staples-Motley activities and community education director Paige Ahrendt.
The days and nights are long.
It’s typical to work 12 hours straight from team headquarters in Englewood, currently undergoing a massive $175 million renovation and expansion (to be called Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit).
Burckhardt spends months upon months watching players through all sorts of video platforms.
Reed said he’s applied the same lessons he learned in Russell to his job in the NFL.
The Denver Broncos are trending upwards heading into the 2025 season thanks, in part, to Russell native Reed Burckhardt. (Contributed graphic from the Denver Broncos)
And the grind is never over.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, the Broncos will conduct a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals in advance of Saturday’s game. The roster cuts deadline will follow on Aug. 26, with the subsequent formation of a practice squad.
The regular-season opener is home with kickoff set for 3:05 p.m. Central Daylight Time Sunday, Sept. 7, and Burckhardt will have his birds’ eye view from Empower Field at Mile High.