As the offseason enters its fourth week, this Broncos ownership group’s first coaching search looks to have skidded off track. A host of updates have emerged in recent days regarding the new owners’ HC pursuit, but the team’s preferred candidates are mostly out of the picture.
Jim Harbaugh loomed as a frontrunner early but bowed out of the race, while Dan Quinn was well-regarded during his time in the derby. He recommitted to the Cowboys for a second straight offseason. The Texans look to have the inside track for DeMeco Ryans, who had gained steam with the Broncos late last week. For the time being, the Sean Payton-to-Denver talk has faded.
While CEO Greg Penner flew to Ann Arbor to meet with Harbaugh, the meeting caught other Broncos HC candidates off-guard, according to The Athletic’s Mike Sando (subscription required). Harbaugh said the Broncos’ job would be the one he’d want if he returned to the NFL, with this stance emerging not long after the longtime Michigan HC recommitted to his alma mater. But the Broncos are not believed to have made an offer. Harbaugh remains at Michigan, and Denver’s set of second-tier candidates do not appear closer to landing the job.
Despite this rocky search, Troy Renck of Denver7 notes the other batch of candidates the Broncos have met with — Rams DC Raheem Morris, former Lions HC Jim Caldwell and ex-Stanford HC David Shaw — have not gained momentum for the job. With DC Ejiro Evero also not being connected to the post since interviewing nearly three weeks ago, this would leave Payton still atop the team’s wish list. Indeed, the Caldwell-Evero-Morris-Shaw contingent has been informed no second interviews are on tap, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
Payton made the Broncos his first interview; that occurred more than two weeks ago. Initial reports indicated Payton was behind the new Broncos ownership contingent, but a subsequent offering suggested pause. Payton directly refuted that he feared a power struggle with one of the team’s new owners, and the former Super Bowl-winning HC addressed his status over the weekend. The door remains open for Payton, per Renck, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport suggested the franchise still wants to swing for a “big, big, big” hire.
Payton, 59, is the only candidate who would seem to fit that description, and other teams may be realizing they will not be able to entice him to leave FOX this year. Linked to preparing a big Payton push, the Panthers hired Frank Reich. The Cardinals adding a host of new candidates Monday points to them realizing Payton is likely an unrealistic goal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com offered during a Pat McAfee Show appearance (video link). Payton interviewed with the Cardinals on Thursday. It will take a first-round pick and at least some Day 2 selections to pry Payton’s rights from New Orleans, but the way this search is going, hints of desperation may soon come out of Denver.
If the Broncos cannot lure Payton from FOX, they will either need to circle back to what appear to be their lower-tier candidates or add names to the list. As of Monday night, no new names are on the radar, Klis reaffirms, adding the Broncos will not send the Saints two first-round picks for Payton. That was a rumored Mickey Loomis ask weeks ago. For a team that entered the offseason preparing an “ultra-aggressive” search for an experienced HC to execute a turnaround, this figures to be a pivotal week for its new ownership contingent.
Let’s ride!
With the ridiculous trade the Broncos made for Russell Wilson no one of quality that wants to be an NFL HC is going to get stuck in Denver. Wilson’s salary itself is outrageous and limits what the FO can do. But they gave up top draft choices as well.
Everyone knows what I wrote above, but there’s simply no getting around it.
When can the Broncos get out of that contract?
The new owners need to factor in 3 years to build a new foundation – starting with the lines. Let the fans know that it’s rebuild time. Ask for their patience. Get a long-term HC that makes the systems he wants to run clear, and assure that the FO is made up of people that can evaluate young players to fit into it. Trade off anyone of value on that roster for young NFL players and draft picks.
Matt Patricia is available. He would be a great fit with his defensive knowledge and current great defense. Acquire an competent OC and you are on your way.
bostonbob;
Head Coaches run teams. Not the O and D coordinators….not the FO….and not the owners.
The Head Coach sets the direction for the team on the field. If the Head Coach has to modify what he wants to do because someone else has a different idea and they have the power, then even if that team wins for a year….it will only be for a year.
I feel bad for Bronco fans but not an ounce of sympathy for one of the Walton brats.
David Shaw may be the fallback candidate, and not a bad one if he can assemble a decent staff.
I still find the compensation crazy. I get NO owns SPs rights but if a team offered 2 round 2 picks, how can you turn that down. saying it must be a 1st+ seems crazy when you aren’t benefitting from him sitting in a Fox booth. Plus why would he go to a team knowing he’s losing a 1st.
Maybe you try to trade Wilson for a 1st? Not sure how desperate the Panthers and Redskins are.
You would have to add multiples by the broncos to move Wilson ..his deal is that bad