The Denver Broncos have filled the vacancy for defensive coordinator previously left by Ejiro Evero — who departed the team for the Carolina Panthers job. With the hire of Vance Joseph, will the Broncos’ defense remain on par with how they performed in 2022?
Denver Broncos hire Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator
The Denver Broncos hired Vance Joseph as their next defensive coordinator on Thursday. Sean Payton continues to make staff moves after hiring legendary coach Mike Westhoff last week as his assistant head coach, and Ben Kotwica as his special teams coordinator.
Now the Broncos defense has its play-caller for next season. One big task for Joseph is building upon the defense’s performance last season. Historically, Joseph has run the 3-4 defensive scheme which bodes well for the current personnel assembled on the roster.
Joseph will have many talented players to utilize like All Pro’s Justin Simmons and Patrick Surtain II. With the new hire, various questions could arise about which direction the Broncos’ defense may head this off-season.
Dre’Mont Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent and could be a franchise tag candidate for Denver — does the signing of Joseph increase the chances of Jones staying in Denver?
More recently, Joseph spent the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals as their defensive coordinator. The Cardinals’ defense had its fair share of ups and downs, but Joseph’s ultra-aggressive approach could pay off for Denver and its personnel. While the newly designated defensive coordinator has run a scheme designed to play man coverage, he’s also played a lot of Cover 2 and Cover 4 more recently.
Prior to his stint with the Cardinals, Joseph was the head coach of the Denver Broncos for two seasons before being fired after going 11-21. While serving as the head coach in Denver, the Broncos’ defense struggled under Joseph’s regime, surrendering the 22nd most points allowed in 2017 specifically.
Joseph reuniting with the Broncos under Sean Payton indicates that the organization felt he presented them with the best opportunity to build on what the defense has accomplished in the last few seasons.
