The Denver Broncos are enjoying their most successful regular season in a decade, and a big reason for that is the play of the defense, which has been one of the best in the league. Because that defensive unit has played so well, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is going to get a look as a potential head coach in 2026.
Joseph has had one failed stint as a head coach with the Broncos, making many fans leery when Sean Payton decided to bring him back when he was hired to replace Nathaniel Hackett at the start of the 2023 season. But Joseph has erased most of those bad memories by building a tremendous defensive unit that is on pace to break the record for sacks by a team, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears.
Joseph acknowledges that a chance to coach again could come and admits it is something he will be interested in, but stated that he is happy in Denver.
"It's flattering but my second time through the process or my third or fourth time through the process, I don't think about it, I really don't, cause I know it's about winning and everyone wants to hire winners, they want to hire someone who's fixed something and there's no better example than what we've done here the last three years. Being with Sean obviously helped by learning of how to fix a team. I think that the key is to win and not worry about the process, it takes care of it(self). It's the Broncos season now and that's my focus, honestly, and if it happens I'll be happy and if it doesn't, I have a good job, I have good players, I'm in a great city so I have no worries, honestly".
The Broncos would likely love to keep Joseph in the fold, but there are some teams that could come calling and at the very least, offer to interview him. This is a list that could get much bigger by the time the season ends.
Las Vegas Raiders
This would be tough for Broncos Country as it could turn Joseph back into the kind of hated villain he was after being fired as the Broncos' head coach following the 2018 season.
The Raiders are a huge mess and Pete Carroll likely should not have come out of retirement to coach this team. It will be interesting to see if he, at 75 years old, will want to continue to deal with it or if the front office will see him as the right fit beyond this season.
Miami Dolphins
It looked as though Mike McDaniel was guaranteed to be fired after this season and perhaps even before the season ended at one point, but he has the Dolphins fighting for some respect after a horrid start. Still, the team could look to move in a different direction with a defensive-minded coach.
This would be an ironic hire for the Dolphins as it was Joseph's defense that gave up 70 points to McDaniel's Dolphins just two years ago.
Tennessee Titans
One of two teams (New York Giants) with a confirmed opening so far after this season, the Titans relieved Brian Callahan of his duties back in October. It's unlikely the team will stick with interim head coach Mike McCoy, so a search will begin as soon as the regular season is over.
READ: Broncos vs. Raiders Week 14 expert picks
Joseph could be on a short list of candidates to come in and take the job.
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