As the Denver Broncos gear up for a high-stakes AFC Championship showdown this Sunday, the rest of the NFL is spinning through one of the wildest coaching carousel seasons in recent memory. With 10 head coaching jobs opening up - two during the season and eight more since the regular season wrapped - front offices are scrambling to fill critical leadership roles. Some of those vacancies are already spoken for, but several teams are still deep in their search.
And it's not just head coaches. Coordinator spots on both sides of the ball are also in flux, and that’s where Denver’s staff comes into focus.
Under Sean Payton, the Broncos have built one of the more respected coaching groups in the league, and other organizations are starting to take notice. Once Denver’s playoff run comes to an end - whenever that may be - several of Payton’s top lieutenants could be packing their bags for bigger roles elsewhere.
Let’s take a closer look at four Broncos coaches who could be on the move.
Vance Joseph - Defensive Coordinator
Vance Joseph has quietly rebuilt his reputation in Denver, turning the Broncos' defense into one of the league's most consistent and effective units over the past three seasons. His scheme has been aggressive, adaptable, and player-friendly - a combination that’s hard to find and even harder to sustain. While his previous stint as Denver’s head coach in 2017-18 didn’t go as planned, his recent work has put him back on the radar.
Joseph has already interviewed with five teams and is expected to be in the mix for second interviews once Denver’s playoff run concludes. While some teams are looking to move quickly, others - like the Arizona Cardinals, where Joseph has previous ties - may be willing to wait for the right fit. A return to the head coach’s chair might not be imminent, but Joseph is firmly in the conversation.
Davis Webb - Quarterbacks Coach
Davis Webb is only 30, but don’t let the age fool you - he’s already lived a football life that most coaches twice his age would envy. From playing under Kliff Kingsbury in the Air Raid system at Texas Tech to a journeyman NFL career as a backup quarterback, and now three seasons working closely with Sean Payton, Webb has soaked up knowledge from every corner of the game.
It’s no surprise that teams are taking notice. He’s already interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders for head coaching roles - a testament to how highly regarded he is in league circles.
One team to keep an eye on: the Buffalo Bills. Webb spent three years backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo and has strong connections in that building.
With the Bills parting ways with Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady being considered for head coaching opportunities himself, there’s a potential opening that could align perfectly for Webb.
He may not land a top job this cycle, but it’s clear: Davis Webb isn’t just a rising star - he’s on a fast track.
Darren Rizzi - Special Teams Coordinator
Darren Rizzi brings experience and leadership to the Broncos’ special teams unit, and while it might be a long shot for him to land a head coaching gig, he’s not flying completely under the radar. The New York Giants recently requested an interview with Rizzi before ultimately hiring John Harbaugh.
Rizzi has head coaching experience - albeit on an interim basis - with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, where he went 3-5 after Dennis Allen was let go midseason. That short stint earned him respect in the locker room, with some players reportedly pushing for him to stay on full-time. While he may not be a top head coaching candidate right now, Rizzi’s name is one that continues to surface in conversations around leadership and culture-building roles.
Jim Leonhard - Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
Jim Leonhard is another young coach on the rise, and Sean Payton knows exactly what he has in him. If Vance Joseph ends up leaving for a head coaching job, Leonhard would be a strong internal candidate to take over as defensive coordinator. But Denver may not get the chance to promote him.
There’s growing buzz that the Green Bay Packers are eyeing Leonhard for their defensive coordinator job, especially after Jeff Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins’ new head coach. That connection makes a lot of sense - Leonhard is a Wisconsin native, and returning home to coach in Green Bay would be a natural fit.
Leonhard played one season for the Broncos back in 2012, but it’s his coaching trajectory that’s turning heads now. Known for his sharp football mind and ability to connect with players, he’s quickly climbing the ranks and could be calling plays for an NFL defense sooner rather than later.
Bottom Line
The Broncos have built more than just a playoff-caliber roster - they’ve assembled a coaching staff that’s becoming a talent pipeline for the rest of the league. Whether it’s Vance Joseph’s defensive acumen, Davis Webb’s meteoric rise, Darren Rizzi’s steady leadership, or Jim Leonhard’s sharp defensive mind, Denver’s sideline is stacked with coaches who are ready for the next step. Once the Broncos' season wraps up, don’t be surprised if several key figures from Payton’s staff are wearing different colors come training camp.