Broncos’ 2023 Head Coach tracker: news and rumors

With the 2022 NFL regular season now in the books, the Denver Broncos' Head Coaching search will officially kick-off. As we know, the Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett the day after Christmas and made it known they want an experienced Head Coach who would be the “CEO” of the team. Then, reports came out that they are looking to swing big for a coach and will do “whatever it takes” to hire the guy they want.

Well, the two big fish expected to be available if former Saints Head Coach Sean Payton and current University of Michigan Football Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh. Both have already been linked to the Broncos officially and will have interviews for the job in the near future.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is expected to get an interview along with current Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. After that, it will be interesting to see who else the Broncos want to bring in.

In the end, it seems like it would be an upset if the Broncos did not end up hiring Sean Payton or Jim Harbaugh, but let's see how this process will play out.

The Candidates

Former Saints Head Coach, Sean Payton

• Broncos have requested and received permission to interview Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints but will have to wait until January 17th at the earliest
• Broncos and Saints are on the “same page” when it comes to compensation and the Broncos appear willing to pay the price needed to acquire Payton
• Sean Payton spoke with the Broncos owner on the phone on Saturday and there is reportedly mutual interest from both sides to get something done.
• Sean Payton spoke publicly during the FOX NFL Sunday pre-game show and said the Broncos were the first team to reach out to him.
• The Arizona Cardinals have received permission to speak with and interview former Saints Head Coach Sean Payton per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
• The Houston Texans have also received permission to speak with Sean Payton about their head coaching vacancy per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
• The Broncos will travel to Los Angeles on Tuesday to be the first team to interview retired Saints Head Coach Sean Payton per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
• Sean Payton appears to be the early front-runner for the Broncos' head coaching job.
• The Broncos appear in a very strong position to land Sean Payton. Reports also indicated that Payton came away impressed by the Broncos' ownership group.
• Quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly reached out to Sean Payton and expressed his desire to be fixed by Payton
• A report indicated that Sean Payton will have a second interview with the Denver Broncos, but it has not been made official as of yet.
• The Arizona Cardinals will reportedly interview Sean Payton and delaying a potential second interview with the Broncos

The University of Michigan Football coach Jim Harbaugh

• It was reported that the Broncos reached out the Jim Harbaugh about his interest in becoming their Head Coach.
• Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio tweeted: Jim Harbaugh, Next Broncos Coach” with a gif saying “book it”.
• Harbaugh released a statement saying “While no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023.”
• Broncos plan to interview Jim Harbaugh sometime early this upcoming week
• Broncos wanted to have Harbaugh interview in person, but his tight schedule made that difficult so he will interview virtually.
• Jim Harbaugh reportedly wants back in the NFL and will “flat go to Denver” if he is offered the job. Could bring Fangio and current Ravens OC Greg Roman with him to be his coordinators
• Jim Harbaugh interviewed on Monday night for over two hours with the Broncos and has emerged as a “top candidate” for the Broncos job.
• Jim Harbaugh has informed the Broncos that he is returning to Michigan next season.

Broncos Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero

• According to reports, the Broncos will interview their own defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to potentially be their next Head Coach. He will be their first in-person interview of the process.
• The Houston Texans have requested permission to interview Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for their head coaching vacancy.
• According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, Evero will have an in-person interview with the Denver Broncos today.
• The Indianapolis Colts have requested permission to interview Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for their head coaching vacancy.
• The Atlanta Falcons requested permission to interview Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for their vacant defensive coordinator position. The Denver Broncos have quickly blocked that request by the Falcons.
• The Carolina Panthers have requested to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for their head coaching vacancy.
• The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Broncos' defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for their head coaching vacancy
• Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will have a second interview with the Houston Texans on Wednesday.
• Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will have a second interview with the Indianapolis Colts sometime this week.

Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn

• The Denver Broncos have requested to interview Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn once again for their head coaching vacancy.
• Dan Quinn who is considered a contender for the Broncos job is scheduled to interview for the Broncos head coaching job on Friday.
• The Indianapolis Colts have requested to interview Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
• The Denver Broncos went to the Dallas area to interview Dan Quinn for their head coaching vacancy.
• Dan Quinn has informed the Dallas Cowboys he is returning to be their defensive coordinator and will not pursue any head coaching jobs.

San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans

• The Denver Broncos have requested permission to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans for their head coaching vacancy.
• DeMeco Ryans is scheduled to interview for the Broncos' head coaching job on Thursday
• NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says that DeMeco Ryans is a “name to watch” with the Broncos and that you should not count him out in their head coaching search.
• Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is reporting that DeMeco Ryans interviewed very well and has emerged as one of the perceived favorites for the Broncos job.
• DeMeco Ryans have emerged as the front-runner for the Broncos' head coaching job.
• A report from the Houston side is indicating that the Broncos are intent on hiring DeMeco Ryans and that the Texans fear a bidding war with the Broncos.
• The Houston Texans will have a second interview with DeMeco Ryans and now is the favorite to be their head coach.

Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris

• The Denver Broncos have requested permission to interview Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for their head coaching vacancy.
• SI’s Albert Breer reports that Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will interview for the Broncos job on January 17th and with the Colts on a date to be determined
• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirms that Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will interview for the Broncos coaching job next Tuesday.

Former Detriot Lions and Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell

• Reportedly, the Denver Broncos will interview veteran Head Coach, Jim Caldwell for their head coaching vacancy

Former Stanford football Head Coach David Shaw

• ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the Denver Broncos interviewed former Stanford Head Coach David Shaw for their head coaching vacancy.
• David Shaw was named as a “sleeper candidate” for the Broncos' head coaching job
• Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is reporting that David Shaw has emerged as one of the perceived favorites for the Broncos' head coaching job. Also, having Condoleezza Rice helping with the coaching search has helped Shaw’s chances of becoming the Broncos' head coach.

Mystery Candidate

• The Broncos reportedly have some mystery candidates in the running for their head coaching vacancy