Sean Payton might be on the verge of returning to the NFL, and his next team will have to compensate the New Orleans Saints (likely with a first-round pick) to acquire the coach.
If Payton does return to the NFL as a head coach, his “preferred choice” for defensive coordinator on his staff will be Vic Fangio, according to a report from Backstage Media’s Michael Silver.
That might complicate things for the Denver Broncos, who are expected to show interest in Payton during their head coach search this offseason.
If the Broncos end up hiring Payton, Fangio would be expected to “look elsewhere” for a DC job, according to Silver. Fangio was fired by Denver following the 2021 season after he went 19-30 in three years as a head coach.
Fangio, understandably, probably isn’t interested in a reunion with the Broncos.
Jim Harbaugh, whom Denver has already reached out to, also has a connection to Fangio. Harbaugh and Fangio coached together with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14 and at Stanford (2010). Fangio also worked with Jim’s brother, John Harbaugh, with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-09).
The Broncos likely want to keep current defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, but he is expected to interview for head coach openings this offseason. If Evero does not get a promotion elsewhere, he would likely be a top candidate for the DC job under Denver’s next head coach.
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