Players offer support as Joseph’s future with Broncos lies in limbo

Following a loss in the final home game of a forgettable season for the Denver Broncos, a number of players offered support for head coach Vance Joseph, whose future with the club remains in limbo heading into the new year.

Joseph, who ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning was facing “increasing longer odds” being retained by the Broncos, said after the game that he “absolutely” expects to return next season.

“I’m going to obviously visit with (general manager) John (Elway) probably tonight or tomorrow. We’ll see, but I want to be here,” Joseph said. “It’s a football team that’s close. We have to make some adjustments in some places, but our football team all year has not stopped working. That was fun to see, even tonight.

“It’s been a hard year, but everyone kept fighting. I want to be here to fix it.”

Josephs remarks parallel his message he reportedly delivered to the locker room following the game.

“He just said everybody fought hard together every week and we prepared to win and we did as a team,” defensive end Shelby Harris said. “And he just said sorry for the results; we didn’t get the results that we wanted. He said some of the players here are going to be the people to help make some change next year.”

Harris, along with several of his teammates, went to bat for his coach after the game, calling the report of his job being in the balance “garbage.”

“He should be here. It’s not Vance’s fault, it was our fault. I stand with Vance 100 percent,” Harris said.

Nose tackle Domata Peko Sr, who joined the Broncos this offseason as a free agent, said Joseph was among the reasons he landed in Denver when the Cincinnati Bengals moved on from him.

“I’m always going to pull for my coach. He’s the one that brought me here from Cincinnati,” Peko said after the game. “It’s been a tough year for all of us. I know coach didn’t plan on this happening. We want to win. We just got to figure out ways to make it happen.”

As of Sunday evening, reports indicate Elway will sleep on the decision and meet with Joseph Monday morning.

Broncos triumverate of John Elway, Matt Russell and Gary Kubiak will not attend Rose Bowl tomorrow. Elway will meet with Joseph tomorrow AM at Broncos headquarters. We’ll know then. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) January 1, 2018

Tune in to 104.3 The Fan and check denversports.com for the latest updates regarding Joseph and any staff or roster changes as the Broncos head into the offseason.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.