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Vance Joseph returns to Denver Broncos as defensive coordinator

Vance Joseph is returning to the Mile High City.

The Denver Broncos are hiring Vance Joseph to be their defensive coordinator under new head coach Sean Payton, Peter Schrager from Good Morning Football reported, per a source close informed of the decision.

Joseph for two seasons was the Broncos’ head coach from 2017-18, gathering an 11-21 record before he was fired. He had since then been in Arizona as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator for the past four seasons.

Being an experienced coordinator, Joseph was in high demand as a DC during the coaching cycle, conducting a long interview on Tuesday with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Denver hired Payton who was briefly retired for one year in the aftermath of a 15-season run as the New Orleans Saints head coach. Denver was not content with one comeback story, so they had to bring Joseph back too.

Vance will build a solid defensive line in Denver, headed by safety Justin Simmons, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and edge rusher Randy Gregory. Simmons and linebacker Josey Jewell are the only players left from Joseph’s tenure as Denver’s head coach.

The veteran coach will provide the Broncos’ defense with a type of experience and leadership that will help Payton redirect his efforts towards revamping Denver’s stray offense; starting with a rehabbing for Russell Wilson after a terrible 2022 campaign.

Joseph’s attacking 3-4 D, matches well with the Broncos’ personnel and style, which Payton wants his defenses to adopt. Last Season in Arizona, the Cardinals blitzed on 36.1 per cent of downs, third-most in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats.

Denver’s new defense coach will keep defensive line coach Marcus Dixon and defensive backs coach Christian Parker on his staff. James Palmer from NFL Network reported, per a source. Greg Manusky is being hired as an inside linebackers coach, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per a source.

Recently, the Broncos also held interviews for former Jets and Bills head coach, Rex Ryan and Patriots senior football advisor/offensive line coach Matt Patricia for the DC job before landing on Joseph.