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According to ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the Cincinnati Bengals would be willing to part ways with Vance Joseph if they are able to find a replacement for him.
Why Perry Fewell could still help #Broncos hire Vance Joseph -- http://t.co/YulW2ERVOt
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) January 25, 2015
The Denver Broncos viewed current Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Backs coach Vance Joseph the front runner for their Defensive Coordinator position from the very beginning of their search. The Broncos did interview Joseph for their Head Coaching position a few days prior to hiring Gary Kubiak.
However, the Cincinnati Bengals declined the Broncos to interview/hire him as their Defensive Coordinator earlier last week. The Bengals were able to do this because according to league rules the only time an assistant coach under contract cannot be prevented from taking a new job is if the move is from coordinator to head coach. Since then the Broncos have continued their efforts to secure Joseph, and they believe if the Bengals can secure a good replacement for Joseph they will allow him to go to the Broncos.
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One name that may come into play here is former New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell. The Giants fired him after this season, and since then has interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers for their Defensive Backs position.
According to Legwold, the Broncos believe that until Fewell is hired by another team he will be an option for the Bengals. if the Bengals did hire Fewell it would allow Joseph to be promoted to be the Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator.
The Broncos have prepared themselves with a "Plan B" if they cannot hire Joseph. According to multiple reports the Broncos have reached out to Wade Phillips. He served as Gary Kubiak's Defensive Coordinator from 2011 to 2013 with the Houston Texans.
Wade Phillips quickly improved the Texans defense to the second ranked team in total defense and the fourth ranked defense in scoring in 2011. The Texans defense ranked seventh in total defense in 2012 and were also ranked seventh in total defense in 2013.
The Denver Broncos coaching staff is nearly finished. Gary Kubiak quickly finalized his offensive staff last week, and they hired Joe DeCamillis to be their special-teams coach. Now the only remaining positions to be filled are defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.