Mile High Report
As the Broncos prepare to clinch the number one seed in the AFC with a victory over the Chargers this afternoon, a number of other teams are already planning for next season. News and rumors of potential head coaching firings and staff changes are already happening, and a handful of Broncos coaches are expected to be popular names during this coaching cycle.
As we know, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to be a top head coaching candidate league-wide and is already being connected to the Giants and Titans head coaching jobs. However, a couple of Broncos assistant coaches are expected to be hot names on the coaching market as well. Offensive Pass Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Davis Webb and Broncos Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Jim Leonhard are among several young coaches who are generating real momentum in league circles, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Davis Webb was viewed as an up-and-coming coach the moment he retired from playing and joined Sean Payton’s staff as the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach. His role in developing quarterback Bo Nix has impressed teams league-wide, and he saw his role grow from quarterback coach to pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach this offseason. Now, with Bo Nix coming off another great year, Webb is expected to be one of the hottest young offensive coordinator names available this offseason.
One obvious pairing would be Vance Joseph and Davis Webb joining the New York Giants. Joseph has been connected to that team and could help turn their defense around. Meanwhile, Webb, a former Giants player, could help develop promising young quarterback Jaxon Dart, while also being a fan favorite among the fan base. That is just one hypothetical pairing, but I anticipate that Webb will receive interest from a number of teams this coaching cycle.
As for Jim Leonhard, he joined the Broncos as their Defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, but quickly saw his role grow to Assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator in one season. Like Webb, Leonhard is viewed as an up-and-coming coach and won’t be an assistant coach for much longer. ESPN’s Rich Cimini, who covers the New York Jets, has already named Leonhard as a potential defensive coordinator candidate for them, and I expect multiple other teams will have interest as well.
However, the Broncos could be one of those interested teams IF Vance Joseph gets hired as a head coach this offseason. Leonhard is viewed as the in-house replacement for Joseph and would likely receive the promotion if Joseph were to land a head coaching gig this offseason. He knows the system, the players, and it would likely be a seamless transition for both parties. Now, if Joseph stays, the Broncos may lose Leonhard if he decides to take a defensive coordinator job elsewhere.
That will be one of the many scenarios to keep an eye on this offseason for the Broncos.
Last season, we saw a number of Broncos coaches...
