Broncos Expected To Retain Vance Joseph

The expectation is that Broncos coach Vance Joseph will return for 2018, sources informed of the team’s thinking tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, the team’s decision makers will be keeping a close eye on how the team finishes out the 2017 season. 

The Broncos are 4-9 with zero chance of making the playoffs, but they’ll have chances to add to the win column against the Colts and Redskins and they could get the opportunity to spoil the Chiefs’ playoff hopes in Week 17. John Elway & Co. understand the team’s limitations on offense, Rapoport says, but they want to see the Broncos play competitive football in the final three games of the year.

Denver went 3-1 in the first month of the season, but things got ugly after the Week 5 bye. The Broncos dropped eight straight before snapping their losing streak against the Jets this past Sunday. Speculation about Joseph’s job security has dogged the team all year, but it sounds like the Broncos are poised to give him a second season to turn things around.

Under Joseph’s watch, the Broncos rank seventh in defensive DVOA, though that’s a step back from their first-place finish in the previous two seasons. Meanwhile, they’re dead last in offensive DVOA. The Broncos likely feel that Joseph can help restore the defense to its former glory while some roster changes (namely, at quarterback) can ignite the offense.