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3 rookie head coach candidates Denver Broncos should not scoff at

By Sayre Bedinger

September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans celebrates during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans celebrates during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 12: Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Eagles 24-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles

Another assistant coach who could become a first-time head coach in 2023 is Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. His candidacy should not be diminished in the slightest by the Broncos or the fans of the team.

Steichen was initially hired into the NFL on Norv Turner’s coaching staff back in 2011 as a defensive assistant. At the time, the Chargers had Randy Mueller as a senior executive in the front office. Mueller was George Paton’s boss in Miami from 2005-06 with the Dolphins when Paton was the Director of Pro Personnel.

You see the three degrees of separation here?

Steichen would follow Norv Turner to the Cleveland Browns in 2013 and then joined Mike McCoy and Frank Reich with the San Diego chargers again in 2014. He continued to rise through the ranks there until he became interim offensive coordinator in 2019 and full-time offensive coordinator in 2020.

What’s significant about that timing? Nothing like getting promoted to your first OC gig in the NFL during the COVID year with a rookie quarterback, right? Steichen coached Justin Herbert his rookie season to 31 touchdowns and a 98.3 rating, the highest of his three-year career so far.

In 2021, he followed Nick Sirianni to the Philadelphia Eagles and has been instrumental in overseeing the development of league MVP candidate Jalen Hurts as well as overseeing one of the NFL’s best offenses.

As far as the Denver Broncos are concerned, how could they scoff at the chance to at least hear Steichen’s vision for the team? He’s been part of multiple quarterback developments of late, and while the dynamic between he and Russell Wilson would be fascinating to see, what if the Broncos can’t “fix” Russ?

Having a coach like Steichen in place to develop the next QB could give you some peace of mind.

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