Loss to the Chargers proved the Broncos have to move on from Fangio

On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport made people in Broncos Country nervous. The NFL.com reporter suggested that Vic Fangio’s status for the 2022 season was still up in the air, despite his team’s losing record.

In an article that talked about every NFL head coach on the hot seat, Rapoport had this to say about the Broncos head coach:

There has been no firm decision on coach Vic Fangio, but it’s safe to say his future is firmly up in the air, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation. Fangio didn’t make the playoffs in his first two seasons, and it’s headed that way for a third. Having 14 players currently on the COVID list doesn’t help his cause to finish over .500. An incredible defensive mind with a great relationship with the front office and players, Fangio has the respect of the building. GM George Paton, who will make the call on Fangio, has built a strong working relationship with him and has a lot of respect for Fangio as a coach. But history does not speak well on a coach heading into his fourth year without having made the playoffs. It appears Fangio would have to make a compelling case to stay – with the way the team finishes the year and his plans to fix the issues plaguing Denver, especially its struggling offense – to ensure he gets a chance for a fourth season.

It’s not a glowing review. But it’s also not an indication that Fangio will be gone after next week’s season finale.

The fact that there is any debate is ludicrous. After 48 games with Fangio at the helm, there should be no doubt that he’s not the right guy for the job.

Sunday’s loss to the Chargers was the perfect example as to why Denver needs to go in a different direction. Don’t let the COVID situation serve as a distraction; the Broncos put forth a master class in ineptitude in a loss that officially eliminated them from the playoffs.

Their special teams were once again horrible. They gave up a 47-yard kickoff return to open the game, fumbled a punt and surrendered a 101-yard kick return for a touchdown.

Well-coached teams have good special teams units. Poorly coached teams don’t. The Broncos have blunder after blunder in that phase of the game.

Some will blame COVID for the problems. They’ll say that Fangio and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were dealing with a hodgepodge of players on Sunday.

That would be a viable excuse if the Broncos haven’t had issues in that phase of the game for three years. That would hold more water if other teams who’ve had COVID outbreaks deplete their rosters didn’t have special teams breakdowns.

Fangio also had a laughable challenge in the loss to the Chargers. He continues to think the red handkerchief given to him before the game is some sort of “wish flag,” good for two mulligans per Sunday.

This time around, it was on a 40-yard completion to Austin Ekeler in the third quarter. The running back did a great job of avoiding a tackle by Justin Simmons, keeping his feet and rambling down the field for a big gain. His knee never touched the ground, which was painfully obvious on the replay, but Fangio challenged the call any way. He wanted Ekeler to be down, so he threw the flag.

This ineptitude had nothing to do with COVID. It’s a mistake the head coach has made repeatedly during his tenure.

Speaking of common refrains, the start to the game was all too familiar. The Chargers marched 41 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead before the Broncos offense touched the ball.

This was the seventh time this season – six touchdowns and one field goal – that the opposition has scored on their opening possession. In nearly half of their games, the Broncos have surrendered points right out of the gate.

Given how bad Denver’s offense is, that has allowed the other team to play conservative. Once they’re in the lead, they know they don’t have to push the envelope. If they don’t make mistakes, they’ll win the game.

This plays into Fangio’s hands, as it helps him keep the score low. It helps him pad a stat that makes his defense look good.

But as we’ve seen time after time this season, they aren’t good when it matters. They’re terrible to start games. They habitually surrender leads. And they can’t get the opposing team off the field in the waning moments.

The ineptitude didn’t end there, however. It was on full display throughout the day.

At the end of the third quarter, the Broncos faced a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. They were going to go for it, with the break between quarters providing plenty of time to settle on the perfect play.

Denver gave the ball to Melvin Gordon. He plunged in for the touchdown. But it was nullified by a flag.

Despite having all kinds of time to figure out what they were doing, the Broncos were called for an illegal formation. As a result of the penalty, they had to settle for a field goal.

The TV announcers blamed COVID. They used the mix-matched roster as an excuse. That’s hogwash.

It was a standard formation and a standard play. Training camp started more than five months ago. The Broncos have run that play countless times. Missing practice this week had nothing do to with the issues.

All of this is like “Groundhog Day.” The clock strikes “6:00,” the radio turns on, and Sonny and Cher sing “I’ve Got You Babe.”

It’s the same thing. Week after week after week from the Broncos.

It’s why Vic Fangio has to go. It’s why nothing short of cleaning house should be acceptable.

If Joe Ellis, John Elway and George Paton want to ignore head coach’s 19-29 record… If they aren’t concerned with the fact that Fangio has more losses in his first three seasons than any coach in Broncos history… If they aren’t swayed by the fact that 7-6 is most likely going to turn into 7-10… If they aren’t moved by three-straight non-playoff seasons…

What will get their attention?

Maybe it was Sunday’s debacle. Yes, no one expected the shorthanded Broncos to beat the Chargers. And sure, no one is really surprised by the 34-13 final score.

But the way Denver lost was the problem. It was the continuation of issues that pre-dated a COVID outbreak.

The Broncos under Vic Fangio are bad. They’re a laughingstock. They’re boring and irrelevant.

The franchise can’t ignore that fact. They can’t be fooled.

It’s time to move on. And Sunday proved it.

Follow @jamesmerilatt