The Denver Broncos are preparing for a new era under Sean Payton after he agreed to become their next head coach. Payton has already begun to work on building his potential staff in Denver including the possibility of a new defensive coordinator.
Denver Broncos request permission to interview Brian Flores
The Denver Broncos have requested permission to interview Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker coach and senior defensive assistant Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator position. As first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos have submitted a formal request to the Steelers to interview Flores.
Prior to accepting a job with the Steelers alongside head coach Mike Tomlin in 2022, Flores served as the Miami Dolphins head coach from 2019-2021. He was fired by the Dolphins after three seasons when they finished 9-8 in 2021, but after initially starting off the season 1-7 — Flores and the Dolphins went 8-1 to finish the season. After his firing, Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and several NFL teams including the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants alleging racial discrimination in their hiring practices when looking to hire a new head coach — the Broncos hired Vic Fangio in 2019 and did interview Flores.
“Pages of detailed notes, analysis and evaluations from our interview demonstrate the depth of our conversation and sincere interest in Mr. Flores as a head coaching candidate,” the Broncos issued in a statement after Flores allegations. “Our process was thorough and fair to determine the most qualified candidate for our head coaching position. The Broncos will vigorously defend the integrity and values of our organization — and its employees — from such baseless and disparaging claims.”
Since then, the Broncos organization has had an entirely different operating structure under new ownership led by the Walton Penner Family Ownership Group. CEO Greg Penner runs the daily operation of the team alongside general manager George Paton (who was not with the team when they initially interviewed Flores for their head coaching job in 2019). With Sean Payton now serving as the Broncos’ head coach, how might Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL and the Broncos in particular impact the prospects of him potentially becoming the team’s next defensive coordinator?
Ultimately, the Steelers have the power to grant permission or block Flores from interviewing with the Broncos. On Thursday, Payton met with Ejiro Evero to discuss the possibility of him returning as the team’s defensive coordinator. Evero is still under contract with the team but is in strong consideration for the head coaching job with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos have also submitted a request to speak with Seattle Seahawks associate head coach, defensive coordinator Sean Desai for their defensive coordinator job.
Denver requesting permission to speak with Flores doesn’t indicate that Evero will not return, but Payton is putting a contingency plan in place in the event the Broncos defensive coordinator receives an offer to be a head coach.
