The Denver Broncos have a former Los Angeles Rams assistant in mind to take over the head coaching reins in 2023, with general manager George Paton hoping the franchise can interview him.
“We hope to interview Ejiro Evero,” Paton told reporters during a December 27 joint press conference with team owner Greg Penner.
Evero, 41, the Broncos’ first-year defensive coordinator, was offered the interim head coach after the December 26 firing of Nathaniel Hackett, but he declined, according to numerous reports.
Eviro turned down the offer because, according to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, “he’s very tight with Nathaniel Hackett” and he is expected to be a “hot target” for open head-coaching jobs around the league.
As we expected, the #Broncos gave DC Ejiro Evero the first crack at interim HC. He declined, which isn’t a shoddiest for two reasons:
1. He’s very tight with Nathaniel Hackett
2. He’s going to be a hot target in the off-season for HC jobs.
The Broncos named 67-year-old Jerry Rosburg as interim head coach for the season’s remaining two games. Rosburg had been lured out of retirement in September to help Hackett with his in-game clock-management decisions.
“I look forward to finishing this year strong and doing everything possible for us to find that next great head coach of the Denver Broncos,” Paton said.
GM Gives Strong Reaction to Rams Loss
The Broncos’ 51-14 loss on Christmas Day to the Rams was Denver’s most lopsided loss of the season — and the Rams’ most one-sided win.
“Sunday’s game was unacceptable. It was embarrassing. For everyone associated with this team, it’s nowhere close to our standard,” Paton said.
The Rams delivered two season-highs of four interceptions, including a pick six by Cobie Durant, and six sacks, with Larrell Murchison leading with two, in the rout. On offense, quarterback Baker Mayfield delivered his best completion percentage of 2022 and tight end Tyler Higbee shattered the team’s tight end record books in the game.
.@Ty_Higs19 becomes our all-time TE leader in touchdowns, receptions + receiving yards! 🙌
Evero’s Rise to HC Potential
While the Broncos have had a disastrous season that led to their first-year head coach not finishing out the year, Evero’s unit has been the bright spot.
Minus the Rams debacle, Evero’s defense has surrendered 30 points or more in just three games this season. Denver is sixth in fewest passing yards allowed and has allowed the second fewest touchdown passes at 14. Their 14 interceptions is tied for fourth in the league.
Justin Simmons has played at a level that nearly mirrors his 2020 Pro Bowl season with five interceptions, which ties a personal best with him. But with two games remaining, he’s got a chance to deliver a new personal best in that department. Elsewhere in the secondary, second-year cornerback Patrick Surtain II has turned in seven games of allowing 10 receiving yards or less his side. In the trenches, Dre’Mont Jones has tied his previous best mark in sacks with 6.5 while producing a career-best 47 tackles under Evero.
Evero spent 2017 to 2021 with the Rams before heading to the Rocky Mountains — handling roles like safeties coach and passing game coordinator. During his time in the “Rams House,” Evero had a role in getting the pass defense to surrender just 190.7 yards per game in 2020. He also got safety Taylor Rapp to deliver a career-high four interceptions during the run to Super Bowl 56. In his first season with the Rams in 2017, the defense went on to rank fifth in takeaways with 28.
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Denver Hopes to Interview Ex-Rams Assistant for HC Job, GM Says