5 candidates for Broncos' head coaching vacancy

5 candidates for Broncos’ head coaching vacancy

By Chris Wurtz | Dec 31, 2018

CENTENNIAL, CO - JANUARY 02: Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway address the media to close out the season on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. The Denver Broncos finished the 2017-18 season in last place in the AFC West with a 5-11 record. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images /

Mike Shanahan

Now, here’s a name that Broncos fans would certainly get excited about. Mike Shanahan was the head coach in Denver from 1995 to 2008. He coached the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles in that span, both with John Elway behind center.

So, obviously, Shanahan knows how to win football games. But, without Hall of Famers like Elway and Terrell Davis to work with, could Shanahan get the Broncos back on track? His previous tenure went south with the erratic Jay Cutler at quarterback, and Denver isn’t exactly set up well at the position.

Case Keenum has thoroughly underperformed relative to the hefty salary he’s being paid. The other two quarterbacks on the roster are Kevin Hogan and Garrett Grayson, neither of whom are exactly what you’re looking for in a long-term answer.

The thought of bringing Shanahan back may have seemed like just a pipe dream for Broncos fans until a recent report from Woody Paige of the Colorado Springs Gazette highlighted Denver’s interest. Reportedly, Denver had a deal in place to bring back Shanahan last year but it fell through due to conflicting interests among team brass.

Shanahan has been out of coaching for almost five years now, so it certainly wouldn’t be easy. But with the connection that he and now-GM Elway share, his return shoudn’t be ruled out.

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