3 Things Vance Joseph Can Do to Earn Back Broncos Country's Trust
Denver, CO – In the cold of winter February, Sean Payton announced that Vance Joseph was chosen as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator — the same man who served as head coach of the team from 2017-18 before then-GM John Elway fired him after a 6-10 season.
“For me, it’s a league of winning. If you don't win, there's going to be change,'' Joseph said during Denver's OTAs back in June. It was his first public appearance since his return to Denver.
“It was never personal for me," Joseph said. "I came here [as the head coach] and I worked my butt off and it didn't work. I'm back now and that's my focus, [to] play great defense for Sean and win some games. I've never had [anger] in my heart, even four years ago.”
You can lump me in with the majority of Broncos Country as being less than enthused about the announcement of Joseph's second tour with the team. He’s had ups and downs, most recently with the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he served as defensive coordinator from 2019-22.
Joseph is widely respected among the defensive minds of the NFL and has received rave reviews from players coming out of the desert in recent years.
If Joseph is going to prove Payton right in the decision to select him as Denver’s DC, he had better make the most of things this time around. Here are three boxes that Joseph has to check to earn the trust back of a scorned fan base.
'To Thine Own Self Be True'
While I can sense a collective rolling of the eyes from Mile High Huddle readers for quoting Hamlet, hear me out. Joseph was not ready to become a head coach when he led the Broncos under Elway.
Denver's front-office grasp o VJ is well known with stories that still circulate on social media. But the man was a nervous wreck from his introductory press conference to his final game coached in Denver.
This time around, there seems to be a solid level of trust in Payton and comfortability in Joseph's preferred role as a coordinator. When Payton was asked in June about Joseph thus far, he said, “There's calmness to him, a professionalism to him that I appreciate.
"I just think there's a poise and credibility when he presents, and that's impressive. I think he's an extremely good communicator.''
Current Broncos defenders that have been reunited with Joseph include safety Justin Simmons and linebacker Josey Jewell, but on the other side of the ball, left tackle Garett Bolles and wide receiver Courtland Sutton were both around for his head-coaching stint.
Joseph has bonafides as a defensive coordinator. By excelling in a more limited role, hopefully, it leads to success, and he can earn back some trust in the fan base.
Beat Patrick Mahomes & the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by their legendary two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, have owned the Broncos since 2015. The Chiefs have 15 straight wins over Denver, which is tied for the third-longest streak of any team against an opponent in league history. The Broncos haven’t beaten the Chiefs since September 17, 2015.
Joseph is all too familiar with some of Mahomes’ abilities, having faced the Chiefs as Broncos head coach in the past. But with some of the league’s best playmakers on defense, including All-Pros Patrick Surtain II and Simmons, as well as a solid linebacker corps in Jewell and Alex Singleton, Joseph has the pieces in place to beat KC.
As silly as it may sound, the Broncos can exorcise that Chiefs demon. Denver almost pulled it off twice last season, losing 34-28 and 27-24.
While some believe beating the Chiefs has to be done with swift game-planning and unprecedented defensive looks, execution through technique is what will pay dividends. If Joseph can get this defense to buy into his message as its coordinator, specifically in training camp, special things can happen again for the Orange and Blue on that side of the football.
Payton came here to face the best, and knowing that, he chose to bring Joseph in as his main defensive lieutenant. It may not be a secret to anyone in this fan base, but when the Broncos beat the Chiefs and snap the losing streak this coming season, Joseph’s defense will have its fingerprints all over that win.
Embrace the Mile High City, Again
Joseph is no stranger to Denver, even before his days as head coach. He played for the University of Colorado and then coached with the Buffs on two different stints.
I’ve never quite seen the sports landscape rapidly change and evolve like it has in Colorado. The Colorado Avalanche and the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets have captured the hearts of all fans in the Rocky Mountain region and beyond.
Never in my lifetime did I think that basketball and hockey would share a place with the beloved Broncos — who have fallen from grace in recent years. Because of that, Joseph should lean into the city’s current culture and immerse himself in the people of Denver.
This city is beloved by professional athletes and celebrities alike because it’s understood that if you take care of the people, they’ll take care of you right back.
I’m not suggesting that Joseph start partying at Nuggets games next fall, nor do I think he would. Instead, I’m hoping that Broncos Country is willing to give what seems like a decent enough guy a second chance to do something special with this football team, and achieve redemption.
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