NFL World Reacts To Broncos’ Coaching Search Plans

KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 28: A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet on the field before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 28, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

The Denver Broncos need to find a new head coach who can clean up a big mess this offseason.

After dropping to 4-11 with a 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day, the Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett earlier this week. The new owner apparently won’t take the quest for his first head coaching job lightly.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Walton-Penner group should be “ultra aggressive” in pursuing their favorite candidates. They paid $4.65 billion – a record price for an American sports team – to buy the Broncos last summer.

It’s unclear if Denver has anyone in mind yet, but Schefter mentioned Sean Payton as the “highest-profile candidate.” A team would need draft compensation from the New Orleans Saints to get the Super Bowl champion out of his current contract.

Many fans have speculated that the Broncos would have lured Payton to the NFL.

It would probably take a sizable offer to woo someone with a coaching pedigree like Payton. Anyone hiring in Denver needs to revitalize 34-year-old Russell Wilson, who is going through the worst season of his career after signing a five-year, $245 million extension.

Given this unsavory situation, the Broncos won’t be the most desirable job for anyone with options.

Jerry Rosburg will wrap up the season as Denver’s interim head coach. He’ll look to lead a big upset road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.