Fansided

One burning question for each NFL team

By John Buhler

Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to pass against Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Joe Thomas (48) during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to pass against Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Joe Thomas (48) during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 5, 2017; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph speaks to the media following organized training activities at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2017; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph speaks to the media following organized training activities at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos: Was Vance Joseph the right head coaching hire?

Let’s go back in time to when all the head coaching vacancies were filled in January sans the San Francisco 49ers. Five of the six were filled abruptly with guys we weren’t exactly sure were home run hirings. Besides the 49ers getting former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, which team really knocked it out of the park with their head coaching hire?

While he had been tabbed as a future head coaching candidate when he joined Adam Gase’s staff with the 2016 Miami Dolphins, Vance Joseph only lasted a year in Miami Gardens before taking the Broncos gig. His defense didn’t exactly impress, as it was the reason Miami had no shot at winning in the freezing cold against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card round.

While Joseph does gain a solid offensive coordinator in the form of former San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy, new defensive coordinator Joe Woods has the huge task of replacing Wade Phillips. Since Joseph inherits a lackluster quarterback situation post Peyton Manning, he’ll have to win with defense again in 2017 unless Paxton Lynch miraculously becomes better over night.

Add in that the Broncos missed the AFC Playoffs last season and play in the toughest division in football, it would be easy for Bronco Nation to turn on Joseph if it doesn’t go smoothly in 2017. Denver is In Elway We Trust. The problem is that may indicate that Joseph really isn’t running the show in the Mile High City.

For most aspiring NFL head coaches, the Broncos organization is a dream job. Most years, it is. Just not in 2017. Gary Kubiak’s abrupt retirement was strange to say the least. Though he could prove to be an outstanding head coach, this doesn’t feel like great fit for Joseph off the bat.

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