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Who’s next for the Denver Broncos? A look at future HC Candidates

By Aric Manthey

Aug 13, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos CEO Greg Penner and wife Carrie Walton Penner before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos CEO Greg Penner and wife Carrie Walton Penner before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos: Jalen Hurts #1 and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen of the Philadelphia Eagles look on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The young guns

Let me preface by saying that this group of candidates faces tall odds of actually landing the position. With three consecutive rookie hires (and fires), it appears extremely unlikely that the Broncos will go down that route again.

With that said, I’m going to point out a few facts about each candidate and why they may appeal to the Broncos.

Philadelphia Eagles Coordinators (Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon) 

  • Both have had a hand in engineering the Eagles turnaround
  • Both have their respective units’ top 10 statically in several categories
  • Steichen has worked with a variety of QBs, ranging from Hurts to Herbert
  • Gannon spent several years in Minnesota with Paton

Bottom Line: Both guys have earned their shots as NFL Head Coaches. Unfortunately, I just don’t see the fit (whether they want to come here or not).  I’m sure they will be interviewed but ultimately, I do not forecast either to end up in the Mile High city.

DeMeco Ryans, 49ers DC

  • Former All-Pro Player that connects (and understands) his players
  • Been a fast riser in the coaching ranks (started in 2017 as a Quality Control Coach)
  • Coordinating the league’s best Defense
  • Well-liked candidate that started getting interviews last year

Bottom Line: He’s a rising star that is soon to land a Head Coach gig. Like the two above him though, I just don’t see the fit in Denver.

Other Candidates: Brian Callahan, Eric Bieniemy, Ben Johnson, and Ken Dorsey. 

  • All of them have coordinated some of the top-scoring offenses and have their teams in positions to contend
  • Will all be considered for jobs this upcoming cycle (Callahan and Bieniemy interviewed with the Broncos last year)
  • One, if not several of them, will emerge as the next “trendy offensive mind” to get the top gig

Bottom Line: This group will have their share of interviews this cycle, but I don’t expect any of them to be serious contenders in Denver.

Finally, let’s take look at a few candidates that might be surprise entries in the search.

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