Denver Broncos reportedly won’t fire Vic Fangio after the season

Of the many teams that will be looking for head coaches this offseason, the Denver Broncos will not be among them. 

Black Monday is right around the corner as the 2020 NFL season slowly comes to a close. However, while several names’ status remains floating in the air, one coach now can exhale, knowing he’s back for another year.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos are expected to bring back head coach Vic Fangio in 2021. Many believed general manager John Elway would be willing to make changes in the personnel after a fourth-consecutive losing season. Instead, he’ll remain patient and keep to the plan.

Fangio, who is 12-18 as the leading man since joining the staff in 2019, will be fighting for control of third place in the AFC West. The 5-9 Broncos recently struggled to find any stability in the second half of their 48-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend, ultimately giving Buffalo their first AFC East title since 1995.

The Broncos certainly regressed after a 7-9 season in Fangio’s first year, primarily under center. Drew Lock closed out his rookie campaign 4-1 as the starter and looked to be the final answer to Elway’s carousel on concerns at the quarterback position. The verdict is still out on him entering the final two games of the season.

Are Fangio and Lock a good match for each other?

Injuries have plagued the Broncos all season, thus hurting both sides of the football. Star pass rusher Von Miller never played a down after suffering a torn ACL during training camp. Pro Bowl wide receiver Courtland Sutton played in one game before suffering the same injury.

The defensive backfield has taken hits left and right down the stretch. Bryce Callahan, Essan Bassey and Duke Dawson all currently on the injured reserved. AJ Bouye was popped with a six-game suspension after the NFL ruled he had broken the league’s PED policy.

The verdict is still out on rookie Michael Ojemudia being the long-term answer as a boundary corner after an up and down first year.

Lock is one part of the problem, but there are glaring needs all over the field. Fangio still has done a quality job with the limited pieces found this season. Hopefully, a win Sunday over Anthony Lynn’s Los Angeles Chargers might help ease the fan base calling for his head.

Two wins against divisional opponents to close out the year? That’s looking like on the right track for a healthy 2021.