The Broncos are bringing back a familiar face on defense, and Sean Payton isn’t hiding how much he likes it.
Vance Joseph, who drew head coaching interviews for the second straight offseason, will return to Denver for 2026 after coming up empty in this cycle. Payton made it clear he’s glad to have Joseph back, and he also believes another opportunity is coming for him down the road.
“I’m thrilled he’s back, selfishly, and yet there’s that part of me with what he was able to do and how that benefited our team, I’m quite sure he’s going to have another shot at this thing,” Payton said, via Jon Heath of the Broncos Wire. “I’ll do anything and everything I can to help him.
He’s been fantastic to work with. His command of the room with the players on defense and what they’re doing is super impressive.”
Joseph, for his part, isn’t dwelling on the missed chances. He said the process is part of the job and that his attention is locked on Denver’s defense and winning games.
“It was a process,” Joseph said. “Obviously, I didn’t get a job last year, and that’s OK.
My focus now is to get back in position, and that’s winning games for the Broncos and being a great defense again. It’s a process that is different every single year.”
“I can’t be concerned about the outcomes, [I can] just keep pushing forward, winning games and being in position to interview. That’s an honor by itself.
So I am not discouraged. My focus is the Broncos’ defense right now.
I do want to be a head coach, but there are seasons for that. Right now, my focus is strictly on our defense being better this year.”
Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Chargers are heading into camp with a handful of major questions, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. One of the biggest centers on EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu and his contract situation, with Popper noting that a hold-in while negotiations continue is on the table.
Popper also pointed to the left guard battle, where Jake Slaughter, Kayode Awosika and Trevor Penning are all in the mix. His projection has Slaughter coming out on top.
At safety, the competition for the third spot includes Tony Jefferson, RJ Mickens and Genesis Smith. Popper said Smith stood out in spring work and looks like a strong fit for the defense.
Another decision facing DC Chris O’Leary is whether to stick with Jesse Minter’s cornerback rotation or settle on a more defined starting group. Popper believes two players will need to separate themselves from the rest of the pack to make that easier.
And on offense, Popper noted that new OC Mike McDaniels’ system should really start to take shape once training camp opens, since spring work only included seven-on-seven periods.
In Las Vegas, the Raiders are leaning on Eric Stokes to help set the tone in the secondary after re-signing him to a three-year deal this offseason. DC Rob Leonard said Stokes has been especially valuable in guiding a young group of defensive backs that includes S Dalton Johnson, S Treydan Stukes, CB Jermod McCoy, and CB Hezekiah Massaquoi.
“Those young guys are hungry, the vets are out there hungry, and Stokes is doing a great job of leading them,” Leonard said, via Levi Edwards of the team’s site. “I’m counting on his leadership and he’s doing a great job with that.”
Leonard also said the back end is going to be a battle every day with Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao back at safety.
“ The back end is extremely competitive,” Leonard said. “It’s day-to-day.
… But I mean, that’s what it’s about. You’re going to get everybody’s best on a day-to-day basis, and we’re going to play the best 11.”
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Chargers Still Have One Huge Justin Herbert Problem To Solve
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For a team built around Herbert, that leaves an important offseason question hanging over the depth chart. Los Angeles has options to keep improving the group through free agency, the draft, or other roster moves, and the front office seems intent on keeping those doors open until it finds the right fit. [Read more 🡒]