Fansided

NFL coaching carousel: Ranking the most attractive openings

By Ian Wharton

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
(Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

7. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are looking for their sixth head coach since Mike Shanahan departed at the end of 2008 as Vance Joseph was fired after two disastrous years at the helm. Joseph was an underwhelming hire considering his resume, and was partly to blame for wasting two years of a Super Bowl-caliber defense.

But even with Joseph gone, the looming issue still exists with the Broncos: John Elway. The Broncos’ general manager has torpedoed this team as he’s continued to whiff on quarterbacks and provide subpar draft classes. Yet a new coach will inherit him as their personnel man.

Denver’s roster today still has shine on it, boasting a mixture of young studs and veteran stars. However the polish is close to wearing out as the team’s cap situation is tight and several key players are about to hit the market.

With about $40 million to spend, the Broncos will have to make tough choices on unrestricted free agents and incumbent talent alike. Bradley Roby and Matt Paradis would be tough losses, but re-signing them would likely cost them talent elsewhere. Moving expensive veterans like Brandon Marshall, Ronald Leary, or Emmanuel Sanders may be in order to help revamp this roster and open more flexibility.

The good news is the offense has a Pro Bowl running back on a cheap deal, and several young receivers worth developing. Case Keenum is a decent-enough stopgap at quarterback. And with the 10th overall pick, the team can reasonably trade up for Dwayne Haskins should they fall in love with him.

Defensive stars Von Miller and Bradley Chubb can also ease the pain of departing free agents. Still, this defense needs secondary help and depth.

A new coach won’t have his choice of a front office partner, and the future outlook of the roster is dimmer than the current build of it.