The NFL currently has seven head-coaching vacancies. It seems like there is a good chance that Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is going to be strongly considered for one of those positions.
Broncos fans have known most of this season that Joseph would get looks from other teams after how well the defense has performed across the last two seasons. Joseph has been connected to interviews with the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants, at least, and could have a good chance to land one of those jobs.
However, there are a few reasons why it's much more likely that he won't.
First, Joseph has already tried his hand as a head coach and while it's widely believed that he is a tremendous defensive mind, he flopped as a head coach in Denver in a major way. Some guys are just better suited to be coordinators and Joseph seems to be one of those guys.
That's not to say that he won't be able to get one of these teams to buy into his philosophies, but what we have seen firsthand does not work in his favor.
There is also the fact that his defense with the Broncos faded a bit down the stretch in each of the last two seasons. While the overall unit has still been tremendous, the way it has shown cracks as the season has worn on has to be at least a bit concerning.
In addition, many of these teams (including all three mentioned above) have young quarterbacks that they will be looking to develop. That player is not currently on the Raiders' roster, but they do have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and will presumably take one. Would Joseph, a defensive-minded guy, be the right coach to help properly develop that quarterback?
Finally, a huge name was tossed into the mix on Tuesday when the Baltimore Ravens surprisingly fired John Harbaugh. Should he have an interest in returning to the sidelines with a different team, he would likely be the No. 1 name on every team's wish list. There is also talk that Mike McCarthy will get some interest from teams and coordinators that have been head coaches before, such as Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Flores, could get just as much interest as Joseph, if not more.
READ: 6 Broncos players who must step up to help avoid early playoff exit
It just seems like a tough year for Joseph to rise to the top of any team's list. That doesn't mean it can't happen, but Broncos Country might be able to rest easy knowing that there is a good chance he will be back as the team's defensive coordinator in 2026.
More Broncos Content
Broncos make several moves to help fine-tune roster before playoffs
Could Broncos, Seahawks meet in massive Super Bowl rematch?
Bo Nix ties major NFL record while setting separate, astonishing mark for Broncos
Chargers player has some choice NSFW words for Broncos following Week 18 game
Broncos must apply what worked on Week 18 opening drive to playoffs