A division rival is officially circling the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff — again.
The Las Vegas Raiders have asked for permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and they’ve also requested permission to interview Broncos quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator Davis Webb as part of their head coaching search, according to multiple reports.
It’s the kind of move that instantly cranks up AFC West tension: not only is Las Vegas hunting for answers, it’s looking right inside Sean Payton’s building.
UPDATE (7:50 a.m. ET): ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Davis Webb will interview on Wednesday for the Raiders headcoaching job. Mike Klis of 9News reports Vance will interview with the Raiders on Thursday.
Key details:
- Raiders requested permission to interview Vance Joseph, per the Review-Journal.
- Raiders requested permission to interview Davis Webb, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
- In-person interviews with employed coaches generally can’t begin until January 19. Since the Broncos have a first-bye this week, however, virtual interviews can be conducted.
Still just 30 years old, Webb spent six years as an NFL QB before going straight into coaching and has been on the fast track. A fascinating candidate.
Raiders request access to Broncos coaches Vance Joseph and Davis Webb
The Raiders moved quickly after firing head coach Pete Carroll, with the Review-Journal reporting the team has already sought permission to interview Joseph and will meet with him. The same report said the Raiders “also will meet with” Webb.
On Webb specifically, Pelissero reported the Raiders requested an interview with the 30-year-old Broncos QB coach/pass game coordinator, labeled as a fast-riser who went from a six-year NFL playing career straight into coaching.
For a Broncos audience, the headline is simple: two staffers tied directly to Denver’s present (and future) are now part of a rival’s coaching search.
What it means for Sean Payton and the Broncos
Even when a team only “requests” an interview, it creates pressure.
Joseph is the coordinator in charge of Denver’s defense, and Webb is in the room with the quarterbacks, meaning this is about continuity, scheme language, and offseason planning as much as it’s about a single news cycle.
There’s also a procedural wrinkle that matters: league rules typically force most early contact to be virtual, with in-person interviews for employed coaches generally opening Jan. 19 (and later for some postseason situations).
So the Broncos aren’t “losing” anyone today. But the Raiders’ interest is now real, documented, and trackable, and that’s how these stories build.
Why the Joseph-Webb “combo” chatter won’t go away
Broncos fans immediately read the tea leaves: if the Raiders are talking to both Joseph and Webb, it’s natural to wonder whether Las Vegas is trying to envision a staff that covers both sides of the ball.
That part is still speculation, but it’s the kind of speculation that has staying power because it fits the facts: the Raiders have interest in a veteran defensive leader and a young offensive up-and-comer at the same time.
If nothing else, it’s a loud AFC West signal: the Raiders aren’t just interviewing “names.” They’re digging into the Broncos’ infrastructure.
The bigger Broncos concern is momentum. When a division rival gets formal access to your staff, it’s not just about one vacancy; it’s about planting seeds, learning how you operate, and testing the stability of Payton’s coaching tree. Even if neither coach leaves, the distraction is real.
What happens next
Watch for two things:
- Scheduling: when/if the interviews get set (virtual first, in-person later).
- Follow-up requests: once a young coach like Webb gets one request, others can follow quickly.
Broncos Face AFC West Hostility as Raiders Come Calling on Key Coaches [Updated]