The Broncos’ second HC search in as many years is producing bigger headlines compared to their 2022 process, with Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh regularly connected to the team. A Payton interview is expected, and the longtime Saints coach has spoken with the team. But Harbaugh is further along.
The Michigan coach interviewed with the Broncos virtually Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com notes (video link). The team has sent out other interview requests, and its long-expected interview with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero occurred Tuesday. But Harbaugh might have an early leg up. The eight-year Michigan HC is the early leader here, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets.
This pushes back on Payton-to-Denver being a done deal, despite the Broncos and Saints having agreed on compensation for the current FOX analyst’s rights. A Payton move — believed to cost a first-round pick and more — would further deplete Denver’s draft arsenal, which the Russell Wilson trade already affected. The Broncos acquired a first-rounder in the Bradley Chubb trade but do not have a second-rounder this year. Denver did not make a first-round pick last year, with the Seahawks obtaining it for Wilson. Harbaugh, nor any of the other known Broncos candidates, would not cost any draft capital.
Despite Harbaugh’s proclamation that he expects to coach Michigan again in 2023, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner notes (via Twitter) the former 49ers HC is believed to be eager to return to the NFL. Harbaugh, 59, said he has unfinished business in the league, and the belief is he will strongly consider a return to the league this year. Harbaugh is interested in taking the Denver job, Mike Sando of The Athletic adds (subscription required).
Harbaugh was supposed to interview with the Broncos later this week, but Renck notes the parties bumped it up, making him the first to meet with Denver’s new ownership about the position. Harbaugh certainly carries a feather-ruffling reputation, and Renck adds some among the Broncos have bristled at the notion Harbaugh could become the team’s next coach. A clash with GM Trent Baalke helped lead Harbaugh out of San Francisco eight years ago.
The Panthers are no longer believed to be pursuing Harbaugh, per Sando and The Athletic’s Joe Person, and the Colts — rumored to have interest — have not set up an interview with the ex-Indianapolis QB. These developments clear an early path for the Broncos. Harbaugh interviewed for the Vikings job last year but was not offered, and a recent ESPN report indicated Michigan is under investigation for potential violations. That could help explain Harbaugh’s urgency to give the NFL another shot.
Payton would bring more to the table from an offensive scheming standpoint, something that will be critical as the Broncos attempt to move Wilson back on track. But Harbaugh’s .695 win percentage — in four 49ers seasons — ranks sixth in NFL history. Evero also worked with Harbaugh during each of his four seasons in San Francisco, opening the door — barring the first-year DC landing another HC job; the Colts and Texans are interested — for the Nathaniel Hackett hire to stay on in his current post. The Broncos have also sent out interview requests for 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans, Cowboys DC Dan Quinn and Rams DC Raheem Morris. The two-year Rams defensive boss is set to interview Jan. 17, which doubles as the earliest date the Broncos can meet with Payton.
I’d take Harbaugh over Payton. Just Bcs of the trade price for Payton. Should either guy actually want this job..now that’s a totally different discussion. I will point out that I believe Wilson is not 100% finished, and is due for some natural regression (in a positive way). This HC search 100% revolves around who can revive Wilson’s career. That’s all that matters. It may not be possible.
Agreed. Payton is a great coach but a 1st round pick is a steep price for a coach nonetheless especially when there are other quality options.
I’m not sure Wilson needs to be “fixed”. He looked great the last 2 games. Coincidentally…after Hackett was fired
Wilson couldn’t grasp and handle the McVay/ LeFleur offense that Hackett implemented. Rodgers only won 2 MVP’s running it and Stafford won a SB. Wilson however failed. Is he fixable? Not if he runs a Payton style of offense
Last 1 game. The game against KC he threw the ball 40 times and only had 220 yards 1 TD and 1 INT. That isn’t “GREAT”. He look better in week 18 against LAC.
Peyton Manning fingers all over this if it’s true … and about $20 mil a year.
Harbaugh had become the Larry Brown of football coaches, always looking for the next open job out there…
Playing the field to boost his contract in Michigan.
To the NFL, Larry Brown was a damn good RB on the Washington Redskins when they were coached by Vince Lombardi.
Even better in 1972 when he played in a Super Bowl for the George Allen Redskins…
I bet a dollar that if Harbaugh takes the Denver job he wont have a .695 win percentage for a while…
The three DC interviews (Ryans, Quinn and Morris) could be useful if Evero gets a HC job and the Broncos need a DC replacement. Hopefully Ownership is going after Harbaugh instead of continuing to mortgage the future by paying with draft picks-a scarce Bronco asset. Even a $20M+ Harbaugh salary is cheap insurance for their $4.6B investment.
That would be weird to have Jim & Russ together. I would like to see that, but I also like the idea of Denver wasting more draft capital on Sean Payton. I guess I just take pleasure in their misfortunes and it will continue to do so until Mr. Dangerwich finds himself on another team.
I’d go the other way and say that Harbaugh would make me more nervous than Payton. Harbaugh’s longest head coaching job has been at Michigan, where he has only recently obtained the same levels of success that he had at Stanford and San Francisco.
Would Harbaugh stay for more than five years? Is his offense and/or mindset still effective in the NFL? Will the Broncos defense remain good enough to help the team as much as Harbaugh’s 49ers’ defenses did? Harbaugh accomplished some truly impressive feats (with a not so good quarterback as well) that speak to his talents. But it has been quite a while and that success was short lived. It makes me hesitant to fully endorse the move.
Payton may cost picks, but it’s more than worth it if he has his expected impact. That’s where the doubt lies with him-does he even want the job? Sounds that he doesn’t. However, if Payton stays for five years and turns the offense around, or even makes it respectable, he’d already be worth way more than a single player would as a first round pick.
Yeah, Denver just avoided a club record for most losses in a season, so let’s hire a coach who’s in the crosshairs of the NCAA for major violations.
The Broncos have a strong following but their ever-loyal fanbase may not be as keen on Harbaugh as the media and fanboys think.