Denver Broncos suffer head coach embarrassment after candidates turn them down

31 January 2023 , 16:35

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A number of head coaches have turned down the chance to join the Broncos and Russell Wilson

It's been a tough ride for the Denver Broncos since they won the Super Bowl in 2015. Since Peyton Manning retired from the sport - walking away after winning a championship with the Broncos - the organisation has missed the playoffs every single season.

The team has been in a good shape for large periods during this time, maintaining a strong defensive unit, but failing to find a requisite quarterback to lead the team to success.

After being tired of continuous failed projects at the position, the Broncos decided to trade a huge draft haul to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire Russell Wilson - a proven elite quarterback who has already lead his team to a Super Bowl. However, Wilson has struggled the previous two seasons, with the Broncos seemingly taking a huge risk to be able to unlock Wilson's potential once again.

But his first season, with recently-hired head coach Nathaniel Hackett, was an absolute disaster as Wilson performed as one of the worst quarterbacks in the league. That led to Hackett's firing and the team looking for a new head coach.

The Broncos have been hoping to turn a page on the embarrassing 2022 season, but it looks like it is one that has left a few scars - as four different head coaching candidates have reportedly turned them down.

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It was first reported that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was the number one choice, but he announced that he would be staying with the college team. Then, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was reportedly being lined up for the job - who also turned it down to remain with the team.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has struggled since joining from Seattle

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was then considered as the prime target, but reports emerged that Payton was not too satisfied with the direction of the organisation.

And on Tuesday, Denver Gazette reporter Woody Paige has reported that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is now not interested in the role - and will likely instead join the Houston Texans.

It's a huge downfall for not only the organisation, one of the more decorated in NFL history, but also for Wilson. The 34-year-old has gone from being seen as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league to no head coach jumping at the opportunity to work with him.

Charlie Wilson