Broncos request another defensive coordinator interview, what’s it mean?

Another one.

That’s two defensive coordinator interviews new Broncos head coach Sean Payton has reportedly requested this morning. Hours after it came out he’s hoping to speak with Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news of a second request.

The #Broncos requested to interview #Seahawks associate head coach and defensive assistant Sean Desai for their defensive coordinator job under Sean Payton, source said. Desai and Flores, for now.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2023

As Rapoport says, Sean Desai is currently with the Seahawks, after spending nine seasons with the Chicago Bears in different roles. He was the team’s defensive coordinator in 2021 before heading to Seattle.

And while Desai is viewed as a rising star in the NFL, perhaps the more interesting angle is what does this mean for Ejiro Evero? The current Denver DC is still a candidate for the Colts and Cardinals head-coaching jobs, so maybe Payton is just planning in case he leaves for one of those gigs.

However, what if Evero simply doesn’t want to be with the Broncos any longer? It’s well known he and former head coach Nathaniel Hackett were great friends, and Evero turned down the interim head-coaching spot after Hackett was fired. Could he have grown sour on the Broncos organization? Perhaps.

Evero and Payton were slated to meet on Thursday, so it’s safe to say the chat raised some questions. Otherwise, why would Payton request two new interviews? Either Evero is getting a head-coaching job elsewhere, which would be great, or he’s ready to move on.

The Falcons tried to speak with him for their DC job, but the Broncos blocked that request. The Vikings are reportedly interest as well. We’ll see where Evero lands, but Denver is looking less and less likely for 2023.

(Update 12:37 p.m.) –

9NEWS and 104.3 The Fan insider Mike Klis is reporting Desai is no longer a candidate for the Vikings, a DC job he interviewed for last week. That could heat things up for him and the Broncos.

Not only have Broncos requested interview for Seattle associate HC Sean Desai for DC but Desai has withdrawn from consideration for MIN DC job, per source.
Desai interviewed w/Vikings last wk. Wants to concentrate on DEN. Vic Fangio recommended Denver to Desai. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) February 3, 2023

***