After missing out on Vic Fangio last offseason and apparently not meeting Rex Ryan’s contract demands, the Denver Broncos eventually decided to bring back Vance Joseph as their defensive coordinator.
At first, the results were disastrous as Denver’s defense struggled to begin the season. Broncos head coach Sean Payton backed Joseph, though, and the defense turned things around after Joseph made several key changes.
Joseph will now aim to have the unit pick up where it left off last fall.
“That’s the hope, obviously,” Joseph said last month. “We have some new guys playing. It takes the spring and the fall to kind of get caught up from the previous year. Every year the defense changes.
“It’s based on the players — always players first, scheme second. But obviously it’s good to be in the same scheme two years in a row. Our main players, Pat [Surtain] and Alex [Singleton], it’s good to watch them play with comfort. So hopefully that comes true.”
Surtain is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and Singleton has anchored the defense since 2022 as an inside linebacker. The Broncos also added defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers via trade, drafted pass rusher Jonah Elliss and signed safety Brandon Jones during free agency.
With those additions, Joseph’s defense will aim to take a step forward in 2024 after allowing 24.3 points per game in 2023 (sixth-most in the NFL). If the unit doesn’t continue last year’s late-season momentum, Joseph’s job security could come under scrutiny again this fall.
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