The Denver Broncos named Jerry Rosburg as their interim head coach earlier this week after firing Nathaniel Hackett. With just two games remaining, what is Rosburg aiming to accomplish?
Jerry Rosburg wants Denver Broncos to play disciplined football
New Broncos interim head coach Jerry Rosburg is as respected as they come around the National Football League. With over 40 years of coaching experience, the newly appointed Broncos interim faces what many would call an impossible task, winning two remaining games against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and lastly Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Just 48 hours after being named the interim head coach, Rosburg met with the media on Wednesday prior to practice as the team prepares for Sunday’s AFC West showdown with Kansas City. After a whirlwind season that has been massively disappointing for everybody, Rosburg accepted the challenge of leading a down-and-out football team.
“So who would sign up for this,” Rosburg asked. “You get to. coach in the National Football League, okay, here’s the Kansas City Chiefs. Choose me.”
Denver’s new interim head coach stood at the podium, open, honest, and reflective of how this season has gone and how his role in his new position fits into the grand scheme of things. Does that mean he has an interest in potentially throwing his name into the hat of the upcoming Broncos coaching search?
“I’m desiring that we win two football games these next two weeks,” Rosburg said. “I’m desiring to have a great practice here in about an hour and a half. I’m desiring to have great meetings after that practice. I’m desiring to have players play the way that will allow them to excel in their careers. I’m not looking at it like what’s happening after the season. I’m not trying to build a resume. I haven’t had a resume for 15 or 17 years. I haven’t needed one, so I’m not trying to enhance any kind of reputation that I may or may not have.”
After an embarrassing 51-14 loss on Sunday to the Rams, that is not the standard for how Rosburg envisions this team playing regardless of the circumstances that have impacted this season including the struggles of quarterback Russell Wilson, who he committed to in these final two games.
“We’re going to do everything we can to put a game plan in place so Russell Wilson can be successful,” Rosburg told media on Wednesday. “I’m really confident talking to our offensive coaches over the course of the last few days, going through meetings with them and walkthroughs. I’m really confident we’re going to be able to do that.”
It was made known that Rosburg made the decision the part ways with special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry earlier this week. He’ll be moving forward with Mike Mallory heading up special teams and Ben Steele taking over the offensive line coaching responsibilities.
One key takeaway from Wednesday’s press conference is that Rosburg doesn’t put on an act. His open dialogue and press conference were nearly 25 minutes in length, nearly a whole week’s worth of conference time that reporters normally get with a head coach.
Felt like being back in coaches meeting during today’s press conference with #Broncos interim Jerry Rosburg. Open, honest, reflective.
Doesn’t surprise me considering how respected he is across the entire league.
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) December 28, 2022
The Walton-Penner ownership group and general manager George Paton have a lot of respect for Rosburg, to the point, it will be interesting to see whether or not he has some sort of organizational capacity next year despite a brand new coaching staff on the horizon.
The Denver Broncos will face the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. MT.