As of Tuesday night, the news has been around the league that the Broncos are close to deciding on their next head coach. Five days later, a report came out that they were basically back to square one.
ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Broncos have it I recently did research on other candidates, in the event that they need to expand their search for training. One candidate, according to the report, is Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
This is not normal. Three weeks after the season ended and five weeks after the job became vacant, it shouldn’t be a good time to start doing more research on the other candidates.
It’s unclear why the Broncos seem to be spinning their wheels. Doesn’t anyone (except interim head coach Jerry Rosberg) want the job? Aren’t they pouring enough Wal-Mart money into the position?
Or are there too many cooks in the kitchen? Do some in the ownership group want one candidate (like 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans), but others want someone else?
Regardless of the specific reason, the perception is that they either can’t get who they want, or they don’t know who they want.
And the process must have been frustrating for CEO Greg Penner (pictured). Despite being sold to many reporters as a “due diligenceThe fact that Penner got on a plane and went to talk to Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh in person—after Harbaugh decided after a hypothetical interview to stay put—suggests that the Broncos wanted Harbaugh more than Harbaugh wanted the Broncos. Penner has enough skill in appearance and power dynamics. To realize that it looks very different if it goes to Harbaugh than if Harbaugh comes.
Despite the narrative they’re pushing into the media, it’s as if the Broncos go after Harbaugh, Harbaugh says “no thanks,” the Broncos chase him down again, and Harbaugh says “no thanks” again.
There’s a good chance it’s about the money. Denver’s ownership group is by far the richest in the league. It is possible that the best candidates (No matter how many) expect something more than The usual amount of lettuce before taking the job.
Admittedly, for example, former Saints coach Sean Payton wants at least $20 million a year. How can the property reasonably claim that they can’t afford it?
Raising the expected price is the fact that the next coach will be tasked with the challenge of trying to fix the quarterback Russell Wilson. It’s basically hazard pay at this point.
Penner and the rest of the Wal-Mart moguls are getting a lesson in the risks of owning and operating an NFL team. Big decisions need to be made, time is of the essence, and realization quickly becomes a reality.
Currently, the perception is that the Broncos can’t have who they want, don’t know who they want, or some of both.
Here’s an idea. If the search is already lackluster, take a closer look at what the Bengals defense is doing tonight Patrick Mahomes And the Chiefs, perhaps considering hiring Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, even if they have to wait an extra two weeks to meet him.