The Denver Broncos have hired Sean Payton to be their next head coach, and he has brought some optimism and hope to a team that just finished a disastrous season.
They’re now looking for a defensive coordinator, and NFL insider Ian Rapoport says they’re targeting Brian Flores and Sean Desai.
From NFL Now: The #Broncos requested permission to speak with Brian Flores and Sean Desai for their DC job. pic.twitter.com/8Lt6fMcs0Y
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2023
Flores most recently spent three seasons as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, and in 2020, they ranked sixth in points allowed.
About a year ago, they fired Flores, and he ended up filing a class-action lawsuit against the Dolphins, two other teams and the NFL itself, claiming he was the target of racial discrimination, which forced some to take a look at the league’s culture.
He spent this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach.
Desai is currently the associate head coach and a defensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks, who had a surprisingly successful season by finishing with a 9-8 record and making the playoffs.
Before this year, he spent nine seasons on the Chicago Bears’ coaching staff, first as a defensive quality control coach and then as a safeties coach and their defensive coordinator.
Although the Broncos had a horrific offense this year, their defense wasn’t too bad, as they finished 14th in points allowed, 10th in rushing touchdowns allowed, seventh in total yards given up and fifth in passing touchdowns allowed.
With Russell Wilson looking over the hill, perhaps they will need to win mostly with defense under Payton next season and beyond.
NEXT: Broncos Insider Explains The Brian Flores Interview
