The Denver Broncos are gearing up for their first playoff appearance since the glory days of the 2015 season, but the buzz around the team isn’t just about the wild-card matchup against the Buffalo Bills. It’s also about their defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, whose impressive turnaround of the defense has put him in the spotlight for potential head coaching gigs. And let’s be honest, this kind of attention is a hallmark of success in the NFL.
Joseph’s work with the Broncos’ defense has been nothing short of transformative. Just a year ago, Denver’s defense was languishing in the bottom third of the league. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re a top-10 unit. The Broncos are leading the league in sacks with a staggering 63, ranking seventh in total yards allowed at 317.1 per game, and holding opponents to a mere 18.3 points per game—the third-best mark in the league. This kind of resurgence doesn’t go unnoticed, and it’s no surprise that Joseph has caught the eye of other franchises.
On Monday, Joseph received a request to interview for the New York Jets head coaching job, sources told The Denver Post. For Joseph, the recognition is flattering, but his focus remains squarely on the Broncos’ upcoming playoff showdown. “I hope to have a chance to do it again, but I’m not chasing it,” Joseph said on Thursday. “My focus is on this team and winning the game on Sunday. When that time comes, I’ll spend some time on that.”
Joseph’s path to this point has been anything but smooth. He served as Denver’s head coach from 2017 to 2018, a tenure that ended with his firing. Undeterred, Joseph took on the role of defensive coordinator in Arizona for four seasons before returning to Denver in 2023 under the leadership of head coach Sean Payton. The reunion with the Broncos was an opportunity for Joseph to prove himself, and he’s seized it with both hands.
Sean Payton has nothing but praise for Joseph and the coaching staff. “I really want the best for all of them. That’s a good thing,” Payton said earlier this week, hinting that Joseph and others on his team have bright futures ahead. The feeling is mutual among the players, who see Joseph as more than just a coach.
Take Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, for instance. Bonitto has thrived under Joseph’s leadership, racking up 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons. “Knowing how much he uplifts the defense and the type of motivation he brings to us every day, that stuff is contagious,” Bonitto shared. It’s clear that Joseph’s impact extends far beyond X’s and O’s; he’s a true motivator who connects with his players on a deeper level.
P.J. Locke, a safety who had been overlooked for years, is another testament to Joseph’s ability to inspire. Before meeting Joseph last year, Locke hadn’t started a single game in three seasons. But Joseph saw potential in him and communicated it clearly. “He told me I had the talent to help Denver win games,” Locke recalled. Since then, Locke has started in 23 games, tallying four sacks and 127 tackles. “It felt good to have a coach that believed in me,” Locke said. “From that point on, I’ve been a VJ fan.”
Locke’s admiration for Joseph goes beyond the personal support he received. He respects how Joseph adapted his coaching philosophy to align with the players’ existing knowledge, rather than forcing them to learn an entirely new system. This player-centric approach, combined with Joseph’s resilience in the face of criticism last year, has earned him the loyalty and respect of the locker room. “Selfishly, I don’t want him to go and learn another defense,” Locke admitted. “But he deserves it.”
The Broncos’ return to the playoffs is a testament to the team’s collective effort, but the defense’s resurgence under Joseph’s guidance has been a driving force. Joseph’s transformation of the unit has not only helped the Broncos end a nine-year playoff drought but also positioned him as a top candidate for head coaching roles in the NFL. And while Joseph is clearly open to taking the next step in his career, he’s not letting it distract him from the task at hand.
As Joseph wisely put it, “If you win games and you’re a good coach, it speaks for itself.” And for Broncos fans, there’s no better proof of that than the team’s performance this season. Whether Joseph stays or moves on to another opportunity, his contributions to Denver’s success in 2024 will not be forgotten. For now, though, all eyes are on Buffalo as the Broncos aim to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Login