Potential 2023 Broncos head coach candidate is available now
On Monday morning, the Indianapolis Colts fired fifth-year head coach Frank Reich, and he should be a candidate for the Broncos if one is open in 2023. I might be getting way ahead of myself, but I’m not sure that anyone thinks that Nathaniel Hackett will truly turn it around in Denver.
The issues continue from week to week and it doesn’t seem like he and his staff know how to fix the issues that are present. Reich’s firing mid-season could also prompt George Paton to act the same way if the Broncos continue to lose more than they win.
Matt Rhule was the first coach fired. Frank Reich was the second. I think Kliff Kingsbury could be next, but Hackett also has a chance at that as well. The Broncos will likely go into the 2023 offseason needing to hire a new head coach, and Frank Reich fits perfectly for Denver.
Frank Reich is a perfect candidate to be the Broncos’ next head coach
Reich was an offensive coordinator for four seasons with the Chargers and Eagles before being hired as the head coach of the Colts for the 2018 season. Many have given him some credit for the development of Carson Wentz, and Wentz’s 2021 season I think is a good indicator of that.
Carson Wentz was awful in 2020, his last year with the Eagles, was then traded to the Colts before the 2021 season and threw for 27 touchdowns on seven interceptions.
In 2018, his first year as a head coach, he led the Colts to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. His offense ranked 5th in scoring and his defense ranked 10th. This was the last year that Andrew Luck played in the NFL.
After Luck’s unexpected retirement, the team was essentially left with no choice and had to start Jacoby Brissett. In 2019, the offense ranked 16th and the defense ranked 18th in scoring. They were a 7-9 team and did not make the postseason.
To be fair, the Luck retirement screwed things over, for lack of a better term. In 2020, they decided to upgrade their quarterback situation by trading for Philip Rivers, who was quite bad for the Chargers the year before. However, Reich was able to get solid production from Rivers.
They ranked 9th in points scored and 10th in points allowed. Going 11-5 in the regular season qualified them for the playoffs where they fell to the Bills. In 2021, the Colts had the 9th-ranked scoring offense and defense.
They acquired Carson Wentz from the Eagles before 2021. If you remember, Wentz’s 2020 season was one to forget, but he bounced back nicely under Reich. The Colts went 9-8 after starting the season poorly, but they failed to make the playoffs.
For whatever reason, the Colts decided to dump Wentz for Matt Ryan, and that obviously has not gone well. Ryan is washed and was benched for Sam Ehlinger. To me, Reich has a proven track record as an offensive coach. He’s gotten solid production out of multiple veteran quarterbacks, but his GM in Indianapolis did not do him any favors.
The Colts went into the season with serious questions at left tackle, wide receiver, and tight end. I personally am high on their general manager, Chris Ballard. I don’t believe he put his head coach in a position for success in 2022, and I think that’s the main reason why Reich got fired.
Frank Reich also has shown the ability to build a quality coaching staff. At one point, his staff in Indianapolis had Nick Sirianni, Jonathan Gannon, and Matt Eberflus all serving various roles. Reich’s coaching career is dated back to 2006, all being in the NFL.
He also played in the NFL from 1985 to 1998. The case for Frank Reich to be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos is clear. He’s a veteran, offensive mind who would surround the players with quality coaches.
He likely wouldn’t be the hottest hire of the cycle, but for a team in the Broncos’ position, which simply needs some guidance, Frank Reich would be a massive addition to the team.