The Broncos had a rough 2022, slogging to a 5-12 record despite the offseason acquisition of quarterback Russell Wilson. Matt Patricia had a rough 2022, serving as a senior advisor and offensive line coach of an 8-9 Patriots team two years after being ousted as the Lions’ head coach.
However, both parties appear to be open to new starts.
Denver interviewed Patricia for its vacant defensive coordinator job on Wednesday, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“The Broncos spent today with an intriguing candidate for their defensive coordinator job: Matt Patricia,” Rapoport wrote. “Sources tell me and Tom Pelissero the former Patriots assistant is in Denver speaking with Sean Payton today.”
Payton was hired as the Broncos coach on Feb. 3, coming to Denver from the Saints in exchange for a first-round draft pick this year and a second-round pick next year.
Patricia would replace Ejiro Evero, whom the Panthers hired as their defensive coordinator on Feb. 5 after the Broncos let him out of his contract.
According to Rapoport, former Jets and Bills coach Rex Ryan and former Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who served as Denver’s head coach in 2017 and ’18, are also candidates for the job.
