Denver Broncos case for an offensive-minded head coach

Denver Broncos offensive-minded HC options

Kellen Moore: OC – Dallas Cowboys

Kellen Moore has revolutionized the Cowboys’ offense in recent years. Their offense was 22nd in points scored before he took over in 2019, and since then they have been 6th, 17th (without Dak), and 1st league-wide in points.

He has maximized a variety of weapons in the passing game, got great production out of his running backs, and most importantly helped Dak Prescott to his most productive and efficient season as a passer this year.

Dak threw for 4,449 yards (2nd most), 37 TD’s (1st), and just 10 interceptions (2nd fewest) to the tune of a 68.8% completion rate (highest). Dak’s production on the ground dropped, but this could actually represent an important transition to more of a dropback passing role in his age-28 season.

Moore would be a great choice to choose and maximize a quarterback, especially in the draft. At just 33, the former QB is the youngest candidate here, but could have the highest ceiling, and would be a very exciting hire.

Eric Bieniemy: OC – Kansas City Chiefs

Bieniemy’s name has been thrown around a lot in recent years, and it’s easy to understand why. Under Andy Reid, he’s helped Pat Mahomes develop from a raw prospect into an MVP.

The former CU buff has been a big part of this air attack, and learning from a legendary coach like Reid has given him a great NFL background to take over a team of his own one day.

He’s also a former running back who helped take CU to a National Title in 1990 and was a 2nd Round pick with a successful career.

He strikes me as having a great balance of passing game knowledge and an instinct for how and when to run the ball, and could well be the guy to bring Denver’s offense back into relevance.

Bieniemy is often recognized as overdue for taking over as a Head Coach, maybe this is his year.

Nathaniel Hackett: OC – Green Bay Packers

Hackett is quickly making himself a favorite among Broncos nation, and there’s a lot to like here.

Folks have been quick to point out that he has not only had a great run with Aaron Rodgers the past three years with Matt LaFleur, he also took Blake Bortles to an AFC Championship as Jacksonville’s OC in 2017, no small feat.

In his 2nd year ever as an NFL OC, he helped Kyle Orton take the Bills to a winning season, another not-so-small feat.

Hackett has many other suitors and has the endorsement of Rodgers himself. While it would be great to think hiring him as our next head coach would guarantee or even boost our odds in potential Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, George Paton won’t be thinking backward like that.

He’ll find a head coach he believes in first, then find a QB. However, Hackett is clearly a skilled football mind who’s respected by his players and would be a great get.

Luke Getsy: QB Coach/Passing Game – Green Bay Packers

Interesting that Paton is double-dipping into Green Bay’s offensive brain trust in this process. Again, while it’s easy to froth over Rodgers, the team will go with the coach they believe can help them win regardless of which QB move is made.

Getsy would be a promising name to bring in, and the 37-year-old former Akron quarterback has been in Green Bay for the better part of a decade. He’s grown from an offensive quality control coach to WR coach, to QB coach, and adopted the title of Passing Game Coordinator this year.

There’s clearly a reason why he’s stuck around under two vastly different head coaches in Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur.

Kevin O’Connell: OC – Los Angeles Rams

Before we talk about his coaching resume, I’d just like to point out that Bill Belichick himself was so impressed with O’Connell coming out of San Diego State that he took him in the 3rd Round during Tom Brady’s early prime in 2008.

His career as an NFL QB lasted 5 years, and he almost immediately took up coaching in the league. He came up under Jay Gruden as Washington’s QB Coach, Passing Game Coordinator, and eventually OC. He then moved to coach under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, and I’m glad to see George Paton looking directly at McVay’s young coaching tree.

O’Connell is young at just 36, but he’s unleashed the Rams’ weapons in recent years and was a big part of Cooper Kupp’s historic 2021 season. Would love to see what he could do with Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Noah Fant, and Albert Okwuegbunam. Listed them all to remind Broncos country that we do have weapons, and they’ll thrive in the right system. Maybe it’ll be O’Connell’s.

Brian Callahan: OC – Cincinnati Bengals

Callahan is a really interesting name here, despite perhaps not having the recognition or star power of some of the others. Son of longtime NFL coach Bill Callahan, Brian started his career as a coaching assistant in Denver under Josh McDaniels, worked his way up to an offensive quality control gig under John Fox, and took part in Peyton’s legendary run as an offensive assistant under Gary Kubiak.

He earned a Super Bowl 50 ring and had stints with Detroit and then-Oakland as a quarterbacks coach before taking over as Zac Taylor’s OC with the Bengals. It’s tough to say what unlocked Joe Burrow’s high ceiling in the past year especially, but Callahan has experience with a vast background of QB’s from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning, Matt Stafford to Derek Carr, and finally Burrow.

An intriguing homegrown option, he could have the makings of a young QB guru.