6 reasons the Denver Broncos are the best spot for Matthew Stafford
Why the Denver Broncos are the best spot for Matthew Stafford
3. 2021 is crucial for Vic Fangio and his staff
The Denver Broncos have assembled a heck of a coaching staff when it comes to experience in the NFL as well as expertise in certain areas.
The Broncos have arguably the best defensive coach in the entire league in Vic Fangio as well as the best offensive line coach in Mike Munchak.
Pat Shurmur is not renowned as one of the league’s most innovative offensive minds, but he has certainly had plenty of success at his various stops as an offensive coordinator.
The 2021 season is critical for this coaching staff in Denver. Fangio and the Broncos closed out his rookie head coach season in 2019 strong with four wins in the final five games to ultimately finish second place in the division.
In 2020, Fangio was basically given a pass by the front office because the team suffered such an insane number of critical injuries while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, a young offense in a new system, and the fact that this season had always been a year of discovery when it came to quarterback Drew Lock.
In 2021, however, the expectations will almost undoubtedly be for Fangio to prove that he can have this team in contention in the AFC West. The Broncos, despite their poor record, played the Chiefs just about as well as anyone this past season when it comes to matching up against their offense. Fangio has implemented a “never quit” kind of culture in Denver and the players have bought in.
Whether or not Fangio keeps his job beyond 2021 will be up to new GM George Paton, but if things don’t go well in 2021, Fangio could be out of a job and the Broncos on the head coaching market yet again.
Nobody knows if 2021 will be “win or bust” for Fangio and company but that seems relatively safe to assume in year three with 2020 chalked up to a learning experience all around.
If that is the case, wouldn’t it make sense for Fangio to campaign for a veteran quarterback to come in and push the offense forward immediately? There has been plenty of promise shown by Drew Lock, but outside of a Josh Allen-like leap, can the Broncos put their faith there for the 2021 season?
Stafford is a proven commodity at the position who might help this coaching staff keep their jobs in 2022 and beyond.