The Denver Broncos cannot afford to have another losing season next year.
They play in the toughest division in football and playing catch-up with the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs is a recipe for disaster.
Notably, HC Sean Payton seems like the perfect guy to straighten the ship, make the most of that stout defense, and bring the offense back from the dead, but he can’t do it on his own.
That’s why he’s targeting one of the most renowned defensive minds in the business to serve as his new Defensive Coordinator.
According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofolo, the Broncos have set their sights on former DC and HC Rex Ryan, who’s been working as an analyst for ESPN since being fired by the Buffalo Bills in 2016.
Comeback? Rex Ryan has emerged as a top candidate for the #Broncos defensive coordinator job, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Ryan has been on ESPN after being fired by the #Bills in 2016. If all goes well, he could be headed back in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/pkPzR7SY1D
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2023
While not always successful and often controversial with his remarks, Ryan is one of the best in the game when it comes to orchestrating defenses, and the Broncos have some elite defensive personnel to work with.
Of course, most of the team’s success will once again depend on the offensive unit, as the defense kept their rivals in check more often than not last season, yet Russell Wilson’s poor play cost them a playoff berth.
Wilson’s regression was as shocking as it was worrisome, especially given how much the Broncos gave up for him and the massive contract extension they signed him to.
But if someone can fix what’s broken at Empower Field, that’s most definitely Sean Payton.
