Report: Elway eyeing John Harbaugh and Mike Shanahan for the Broncos Head Coaching job

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported early this afternoon that “the chatter in league circles regarding Denver’s future” continues to point to current Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh and former Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan.

Here is Florio’s full quote on the topic.

“The chatter in league circles regarding Denver’s future continues to be that G.M. John Elway would like to find a way to hire Ravens coach John Harbaugh or, failing that, a path to returning Mike Shanahan to the franchise.”

Both veteran coaches have been connected to the Broncos recently and it sounds like according to Florio, that Elway and the Broncos are eyeing these two coaches.

It will get tricky with Harbaugh since he is under contract with the Baltimore Ravens and in the postseason. Their team is set up for a potential long postseason run and the Broncos would have to trade a draft pick for his services. It is unclear what they would have to give up in return(The two 1st rounders seems illogical), but it is something I can see Elway looking into if the opportunity presents itself.

This currently seems like a “pie in the sky” type of scenario, but something that could get interesting if the Ravens are eliminated from the playoffs this upcoming weekend.

As for Mike Shanahan, we all saw the Woody Paige report a few weeks back. It basically stated that Elway tried to hire Shanahan late last year but Joe Ellis said no. Now, the Broncos have a Head Coaching vacancy one year later and Shanahan’s name is being brought up again.

If those reports were true, I could see Elway trying to get his former Head Coach back with the Broncos for one last run at the Lombardi. However, Elway stated during his end of the year press conference just a few minutes ago that Shanahan is not a candidate for the job “at this point in time”.

The Broncos have already requested to interview Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Will Harbaugh and Shanahan join these three?

Stay tuned.

Update:

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport basically contradicts Florio’s report on Harbaugh/Shanahan. It’s that time of the year again folks!

Update two: Klis/Broncos PR chime in