Ken Whisenhunt Could Be Broncos’ Next Offensive Coordinator

Ken Whisenhunt looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s looking more and more likely that former Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt could be coming to Denver to fill the Broncos’ offensive coordinator position.

The Philadelphia Eagles hired Oregon’s Chip Kelly, the Jacksonville Jaguars don’t appear to have an interest in Whisenhunt, and the Cardinals won’t re-hire him, which leaves the guy looking for a coordinator position.

The Cardinals finished 5-11 in 2012 with a 31st ranked scoring offense (15.6). They were also last in yards per game (263.1). However, Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl in 2008.

John Fox has demonstrated that he’s willing to hire a former head coach who had a rough go the season before. He brought defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio aboard after Del Rio was fired from the Jaguars midway through the 2011 season. In Del Rio’s first year as defensive coordinator for the Broncos, he led a team that finished the year 2nd in total defense, 1st in sacks, and 3rd in forced fumbles.

If Whisenhunt joins the staff, he will be over-seeeing a ship that already has a captain, or rather a town that already has a Sheriff. Manning has his part of the offense in place, and there’s no doubt that he’ll tweak it this off season, but Whisenhunt won’t be a coach that comes in a overhauls the system. Like Manning and Mike McCoy, Whisenhunt and Manning wwould have on-going meetings of the minds.

Other candidates for the job include current Broncos’ quarterbacks coach Adam Gase, and Manning’s former “play-caller” Tom Moore who was with Manning for 13 seasons in Indianapolis.

Make sure to follow Predominantly Orange on Facebook and on Twitter.