The A.J. Derby conspiracy theory posits that, in a diabolical plot put in motion by Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots traded the tight end to the Broncos to plant a spy in the Denver locker room. Derby is bugged, the Twitter theory assumes, and he is secretly slipping gameplans to his former coach.
“I’m not wearing a wire,” Derby said Friday, lifting his shirt to show no recording devices. “Everyone has a conspiracy when it comes to Bill. They always think he’s cheating at something.”
In the past five years, since John Elway was hired as Denver’s general manager, the Broncos have the second-best record in the NFL, 66-26.