Winds of change for Broncos: Sean Payton moves on from Ejiro Evero, Loren Landow

There’s a new sheriff in town — and that always means changes.

Within 24 hours of the Broncos making the hire of Sean Payton official, the team gave permission for Ejiro Evero to interview for the defensive-coordinator position with the Minnesota Vikings, per a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Sources: The #Broncos are allowing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero out of his contract and he’s expected to interview with the #Vikings. He’s considered a strong candidate in Minnesota, along with Brian Flores.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2023

 

That news came on the heels of the Broncos requesting permission to interview two other defensive-coordinator candidates: Pittsburgh’s Brian Flores and Seattle’s Sean Desai. Prior to joining the Seahawks last year, Desai spent nine seasons in Chicago — including four under then-defensive-coordinator Vic Fangio.

Evero met with Sean Payton this week. Prior to that meeting, the Broncos denied permission for Evero to interview with other teams about coordinator openings, including the Atlanta Falcons.

Denver was within its rights to deny that permission, as that would be a lateral move, and Evero was under contract. Evero did interview with all five teams that had head-coaching positions, including the Broncos. Teams cannot deny permission for assistants to interview for head-coaching slots.

Minnesota’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell, worked with Evero with the Los Angeles Rams before both coaches departed Sean McVay’s staff after the 2021 season. It would appear that Evero is now the favorite in Minnesota. The Broncos face the Vikings in Denver this coming season.

Payton was interested in having Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator, per reports. But Fangio opted to join Mike McDaniel with the Miami Dolphins. That led Payton to open the search.

Payton will also have a new strength-and-conditioning coach. KUSA-Ch. 9’s Mike Klis reported that the Broncos will part ways with Loren Land, who joined the team before the 2018 season. Landow had been training myriad Broncos players at Landow Performance in Centennial for years before becoming an official part of the Broncos organization.

Widely-respected Broncos strength coach Loren Landow has informed several players he is moving on from Broncos after 5 seasons, per source. Nationally renowned,well-liked by players, Landow will pursue other opportunities. He also has his own personal training practice. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) February 4, 2023

The Broncos were beset by injuries in recent years, and in the That led co-owner Greg Penner to initiate a review into the team’s injury rate and medical and training procedures. That process included the input of Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer.

Penner initiated that review in December.

“The new head coach will definitely be involved in that, but I tend to be impatient,” Penner said on Dec. 27.

And now, with a new coach in place, a new strength-and-conditioning coach will follow.

Expect more changes to come. With a new man in charge tasked with changing the culture, the brooms are out at UCHealth Training Center.

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