A bit more clarity has emerged with regards to the finalists for the Broncos’ head coaching position. In an update on Good Morning Football, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the job will come down to three candidates: Dan Quinn, Kevin O’Connell and Nathaniel Hackett. 
[Related: Broncos Down To “A Few” HC Finalists]
Quinn was the only coach listed by name as a frontrunner when it was reported yesterday that the search was coming down to a small number of candidates. The current Cowboys defensive coordinator has been linked to six of the seven HC vacancies this year, which should presumably give him multiple options to consider.
O’Connell was among the first set of interview requests the Broncos made following Vic Fangio‘s dismissal. In two years as the offensive coordinator for the Rams, the 36-year-old has been impressive. The unit’s 2021 numbers are down slightly due injuries hampering the running game, but he has overseen Matt Stafford‘s first year in L.A., which included Cooper Kupp‘s incredible production. O’Connell has also been linked to the open positions in Houston and Minnesota.
Hackett represents another offensive-minded candidate, something which would differ from the defense-oriented Fangio and Quinn. He has been an offensive coordinator in Buffalo, Jacksonville and, most recently, Green Bay. In three seasons there, he has helped the team win 13 games each time, including a highly efficient year in 2020. The Bears, Jaguars and Vikings have also interviewed the 42-year-old.
According to 9News’ Mike Klis, Quinn is coming to the Broncos’ headquarters sometime this week (Twitter link). The other two are expected to also interview in person, although nothing has been officially scheduled yet. Be sure to check in on our HC Search Tracker for the latest updates.
Hire Hacket and hope that helps convince Rodgers and Adams to join up in Denver
After Sunday, Wilson is a better option.m so is Watson once legal issues are cleaned up.
Unless this search somehow by proxy helps elevate QB performance, this whole discussion is boring as hell.
I might as well be a black sheep and be like, “Bring back Fangio!!”
I honestly thought firing Fangio was the wrong move (especially on the eve of a franchise sale), but firing him for a lesser defensive coach would be incredibly redundant. A Fangio led defense with an at least average NFL quarterback starting 17 games is certainly a playoff team. If that quarterback is good, the Broncos look like a much different team than a barely-out-the-playoffs disappointment.
Broncos fans may not want to hear this, but Teddy Bridgewayer is pretty much the definition of “average NFL quarterback.”
Yeah, and Bridgewater didn’t start 17 games.
Yeah, I’ve never understood firing head coaches when the problem is clearly defined as not being a chemistry/hustle or game management issue. I get it that the record is the record, but…
…As Legwold was writing, if they don’t fix the QB problem it’s just a merry-go-round. Paton is touting “Leadership”, when internally they better be talking about recognizing talent and getting the receivers to catch the damn ball better. The combined poor of use of receivers and inability to OLine strategize to the quarterback’s skillset is why they suck.
I can understand firing Fangio for hiring Shurmur. Fine, whatever. Recognize the inconsistency, isolate why it’s happening, fix it. This coaching rhetoric is so old.
Quinn is the wrong choice. We’ve seen his best work and it is nothing special. Show some guts Paton and hire O’Connell.
I get Dan Reeves 2.0 vibes from Quinn.
Avoid recycling previously head coach failures like Quinn. I agree to go for O’Connell and hope you can pry Rodgers from the Packers.