The Denver Broncos are looking for a new head coach and names like Adam Gase, Teryl Austin, Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan have emerged as potential options and this comes as the future for many players are up in the air, including Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Rahim Moore as John Elway pushes into 2015.
The Broncos finished the season with a loss against the Indianapolis Colts and that was another one and done exit for Manning and Denver. Elway and John Fox reportedly did not see eye to eye about how to improve the team moving forward and now Elway has to find a new head coach. According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, Elway wants Manning to return next season, but right now his status is up in the air, although he is expected to be back.
The Broncos are going to have some new faces next season, as Jack Del Rio was hired by the Oakland Raiders and Adam Gase also could leave for another job. According to ESPN.com, the Broncos interviewed Gase for the head coaching job and they also have requested an interview with Gary Kubiak. The team requested permission to interview Kubiak, who is currently offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he wants to have Kubiak back and earlier reports had Kubiak turning down the chance to interview for the Chicago Bears opening.
Kubiak has deep connections to the Broncos, as he used to coach for the team and also was the backup for John Elway for a long stretch. The Broncos likely would feel very comfortable with Kubiak and this would be a different situation than the Bears, as Elway is in charge. Kubiak previously was head coach of the Houston Texans for a long stretch, leading the team for eight seasons and he later went to the Ravens and helped the team finish with their highest offensive rank in over a decade, according to ESPN.com.
Peyton Manning likely would be open to having a coach like Kubiak, as he is offensive minded and previously was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Broncos. Kubiak knows the organization and is comfortable in Denver and Adam Schefter reports that he could be the favorite for the job if he is open to leaving Baltimore. Gase also will get consideration and he could be an option for the Bears as well along with John Fox.
The Broncos are also looking to interview Teryl Austin, who is the defensive coordinator for the Lions and has been a hot candidate this offseason. The Broncos, Bears and Falcons have jobs open, but Atlanta looks like they are targeting Dan Quinn from the Seahawks. Elway is looking to bring in a new coach and the hire could happen this week.
Heading into the winter the Broncos have numerous questions, including whether or not they can bring back Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas as free agents. The team also has Wes Welker, Rahim Moore and Orlando Franklin hitting the market and that could mean some big changes for Peyton Manning if he decides to return. The Broncos won the AFC West for the fourth straight season, but now John Fox is out and Manning's future is up in the air.
