Broncos the top pick for CB Callahan because of Fangio, Donatell
Mar 16, 2019, 4:55 PM | Updated: Mar 17, 2019, 4:00 am
A couple of teams were in on former Chicago Bears cornerback Bryce Callahan during the second wave of free agency, but ultimately the Broncos were his “top pick” because of his experience playing for new Denver head coach Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.
The newest member of the Broncos secondary, who signed a three-year deal worth a reported $21 million, said he “felt comfortable” in the system Fangio and Donatell — formerly the Bears defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, respectively — put together in Chicago, where he spent the first four seasons of his career.
“I’ve been playing with them for a couple of years. I feel like I won’t have to be learning a whole new system. I can just get in and go,” Callahan said during a conference call on Saturday. “That’s kind of why I chose here.”
Playing in that system, Callahan racked up 122 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, 20 passes defensed, and one forced fumble over 45 games (29 starts).
Last season alone, a breakout campaign for the 27-year-old defensive back, Callahan grabbed a career-high 45 tackles to go with two sacks, two interceptions, and six passes defensed in 13 games (10 starts).
Callahan’s 2018 graded out as the seventh-best among all NFL cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, wherein he allowed just one touchdown and played the second-most snaps per game (31.7) in slot coverage.
Of Fangio, Callahan said the defensive-minded coach “knows how to call the right plays” and puts his players “in the right position.”
“You want to make plays for (him),” Callahan said. “He calls the right plays at the right time. You just want to go out there and lay it on the line for him.”
As to how he’ll fit in with Chris Harris Jr. and Kareem Jackson, who agreed on a three-year deal with Denver on Monday, Callahan said it’ll be up to the coaches to tap into the groups versatility.
“I know we’re all versatile guys and we can all play outside and inside. I feel like the coaches will work it out and feel us out,” Callahan said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
