The Denver Broncos are just one of four teams who have not presently filled their vacancy at the head coach position. While the Broncos continue their search for their next head coach, they might have a short-term fix if they strike out on who they want for the job.
Why Jerry Rosburg could be a short-term fix for the Denver Broncos
After the Denver Broncos fired former head coach Nathaniel Hackett just 15 games into his first season running the show, the franchise turned to a well-respected, experienced coach as their interim for the team’s final two games of the season. Jerry Rosburg stepped up and implemented various changes in just 13 days that made the Broncos look entirely different to conclude the season.
As the Walton Penner Family Ownership Group continue to embark on their search for the next head coach of the franchise, they might have to fall back on a short-term option. Rosburg, who is 67 years old and has 22 years of coaching experience in the NFL, demonstrated that prior head coaching experience doesn’t matter in order to lead the charge of an NFL team. Despite his contract expiring last week procedurally, the former Broncos interim could very well remain in play and should be in consideration if all else fails.
Currently, the Broncos have interviewed a total of eight head coaching candidates during the initial hiring process. Denver told four candidates that they will be looking at other options; Raheem Morris, Ejiro Evero, Jim Caldwell, and David Shaw. Jim Harbaugh has expressed that he is staying to coach at Michigan — despite Broncos ownership visiting him in Ann Arbor last week. Sean Payton announced on FOX over the weekend that more information will be shared about whether or not he returns to coaching this year or continues with his media gig as an analyst. Dan Quinn announced that he’s going to remain with the Dallas Cowboys as part of their future plans. Not to mention, DeMeco Ryans appears to be primed to take the Houston Texans’ job.
While Denver could expand their search outside of the initial eight, the question deserves to be asked why Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon weren’t on the initial list of potential candidates to begin with. If the Broncos strike out on their final candidates, would it hurt the team to look to Rosburg in an expanded interim role?
Despite having a very small sample size as the operating head coach, Rosburg implemented necessary changes to spark the team including firing offensive line coach Butch Barry and special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes. Denver looked far more competitive in their final two games with Rosburg than they did the prior 15 with Nathaniel Hackett. As a matter of fact, the Broncos’ offense scored more touchdowns in their final two games than they did in their first four games under Hackett.
When he first took over as the interim option, he stated firsthand that the team would build a gameplan around Russell Wilson that would allow him and the offense to be successful — proving just that in the final two games.
“We’re going to do everything we can to put a game plan in place for Russell Wilson to be successful,” Rosburg said in his introductory press conference. “I’m really confident talking to our offensive coaches over the course of the last two days and going through the meetings with them and the walkthroughs. I’m really confident that we’re going to be able to do that.” In those two games, the Broncos lost a nailbiter against the Super Bowl 57 appearing Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium and defeating the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers in their season finale.
Rosburg met with CEO Greg Penner following the conclusion of the season and outlined his plan for how he would operate if he were considered the next head coach of the Denver Broncos. With that in mind, Broncos brass has it on good authority what Rosburg would bring to the table if they went with him. It’s also worth noting that Ejiro Evero would likely remain on staff if Rosburg were given the opportunity to lead the team in 2023, with the option in mind that Evero might be perceived to be ready for a head coaching gig as an in-house option for the Broncos.
One thing is very clear; this head coaching search has been a roller coaster of twists and turns and it would come as no shock if Rosburg took the reigns for another season.