Former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph is rejoining the staff as the defensive coordinator, Fox Sport’s Peter Schrager reported on Thursday (Feb. 23).
The head coach in Denver from 2017-18, Joseph was the Cardinals‘ defensive coordinator for the past four seasons and in Miami in 2016. He becomes the latest face to be hired by Sean Payton, who accepted the Broncos head coaching job on Jan. 31 and has already brought in six new coaches.
The Denver Broncos are hiring Vance Joseph as their Defensive Coordinator, per source. @gmfb @nflnetwork @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 23, 2023
Under Joseph, the Cardinals had a top-12 defense from 2020-2021 before regressing to 31st last season. Arizona hired former Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon to be their new head coach on Feb. 14 and he brought in his linebackers coach from Philly — Nick Rallis — to be the defensive coordinator, paving the way for Joseph to find a new team.
As mentioned above, Joseph was the head coach of the Broncos for two seasons, accumulating a 11-21 record before ultimately being fired at the end of the 2018 season. He inherits a strong defense with Denver highlighted by safety Justin Simmons and Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II that finished eighth in yards allowed in 2022.
Payton also reportedly interviewed former Patriots defensive/offensive coach and Lions head coach Matt Patricia as well as former Jets, Bills head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan for the coordinator role but landed on Joseph instead. Denver7’s Troy Renck reported that Patricia may come on as the linebackers coach, however.
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