Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be one of the hottest names in the upcoming head coach hiring cycle around the NFL, and while he is deserving of another opportunity, the Broncos should find a way to keep him in the Mile High City.
Sitting at 9-2, the Broncos’ defense has been a large reason for the team’s success this season, and Joseph’s direction of calling the defense has taken this unit to another level.
Last season, Denver’s defense was great and led the NFL with 63 sacks in total, setting a new franchise record, which is currently on pace to be broken this year with the team sitting at 49 with plenty of games to go.
Joseph is deserving of the opportunity to be a head coach again, and he’s been reflective over time about what he wishes he would have done the first time around, but the teams likely involved in the upcoming hiring process have plenty of messes to fix. I’d argue that staying in Denver as the defensive coordinator is far more appealing than any other destination head coaching opportunity that comes up because he has a defensive unit that will remain intact, and they’re young.
Prior to being fired on Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders previously made Chip Kelly the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL with an average annual salary of $6M per year. For the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, it likely wouldn’t be an issue for them if they wanted to make Joseph the highest-paid coordinator in the game because of his value to the team, the defense’s success, and his leadership.
Currently, Denver’s defense is the No. 1 red zone and third-down unit in the league; they’re top five in points allowed and yards allowed per game, and they get after the quarterback at an extensive rate.
Joseph would do well in a second stint as a head coach, but selfishly, Broncos Country should be hoping he remains in the Mile High City.
