Despite the Denver Broncos 3-9 record, the team continues to play hard. The dysfunction and chaos of that Josh McDaniels team of 2009 simply hasn’t occurred, but will that be enough to save Vance Joseph’s job heading into 2018?
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, John Elway and the Broncos “want very badly” to make this work with Joseph.
From @NFLGameDay: A run-down of coaches on the hot seat, beginning with the status of #Lions coach Jim Caldwell. Also: #Bears coach John Fox, #Colts coach Chuck Pagano, and #Broncos coach Vance Joseph, with GM John Elway really wanting it to work. pic.twitter.com/9DB6qBbByA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2017
Rapoport continued by noting that Elway knows they gave Joseph a terrible quarterback situation and they see that as the primary reason for the teams troubles.
Given that, a lot is riding for Joseph and his future with the team through these last four games. Elway and Joe Ellis are looking for a reason to keep Joseph. They coaches and players just need to provide enough of one over the final quarter of the season.
Firing a first-year head coach when that coach didn’t have the tools for success to begin with would be bad, in my opinion. As frustrating as the season has been, I still like how the players are sticking together and trying to fight through it. Every bounce and every call seemingly has gone against the Broncos this year. I really do think Joseph deserves a mulligan here, but that could change between now and early January.