As the Broncos’ 2025 season officially comes to a close, the focus in Denver has quickly shifted from what just happened on the field to what might happen on the sidelines. And while the head coaching carousel continues to spin around the league, a few Broncos assistants are right in the middle of the buzz-most notably defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
Joseph, in particular, has been a hot commodity. He’s already interviewed for multiple head coaching vacancies, including with the Raiders and the Cardinals-two organizations he knows well.
The Arizona connection is especially interesting, considering Joseph previously served as their defensive coordinator after his stint as the Broncos’ head coach. His name surfaced in coaching searches last offseason too, though nothing materialized.
This time around, there’s a bit more momentum behind the rumors, but Denver may not be preparing a goodbye party just yet.
While nothing is official, there’s growing chatter that Joseph could be staying put. And that speculation got a little more juice thanks to one of his players-edge rusher Jonathon Cooper-who may have accidentally tipped the Broncos’ hand.
During media availability following the season, Cooper was asked about his year and what lies ahead. While praising Joseph, he nearly let something slip that could be telling.
“I’m happy that he’s uhhhhh…” Cooper began, before catching himself and trailing off with a grin. He quickly pivoted, saying he wasn’t sure what Joseph had said publicly about his plans.
But the moment felt like more than just a verbal stumble.
Cooper’s smile said a lot. So did the context.
He had just called Joseph the best defensive coordinator he’s ever played for. And when you combine that kind of praise with a near-slip about the coach’s future, it’s hard not to read between the lines.
If Joseph does stay in Denver, that’s a massive win for the Broncos. His defense was the backbone of the team throughout the season, especially when the offense was forced to lean on a backup quarterback during a critical stretch. That unit didn’t just hold the line-they gave the team a shot to win games they probably shouldn’t have been in.
The Broncos have quietly built something sustainable on that side of the ball, and Joseph has been a huge part of that identity. Continuity matters, especially for a defense that relies so heavily on communication, chemistry, and trust. If Denver can keep Joseph in the building, they’re not just retaining a coordinator-they're preserving the heartbeat of their team.
As the coaching dominoes continue to fall around the league, all eyes in Denver will remain fixed on Joseph’s status. But if Jonathon Cooper’s comments are any indication, the Broncos might already know how this story ends-and it’s one that fans in Denver will be happy to hear.