The Broncos are 2-3 after a horrible 18 point loss to the Jets last night. Their next two games against the Rams and Chiefs are likely to end poorly. They're 1-11 in their last 12 road games.
The team's play calling and coaching are puzzlingly stupid. The Broncos, with two extremely promising rookie tailbacks and a quarterback who had not thrown a touchdown pass since Week One, ran the ball 17 times last night and threw 51.
Equally odd are Vance's personnel decisions, such as promising to get Royce Freeman more carries and then basically taking him out in the fourth quarter.
At this point, I think it's near-certain Joseph doesn't end the season with the team. It's pretty clear he's lost the locker room based on comments from a number of the team's leaders expressing dismay at the current state of the roster. Multiple columnists in Denver are calling for his head. His best player hasn't had a sack in three games. The writing is on the wall.
What concerns me more is the decision to hire Vance in the first place. It reeks of nepotism. His defense in Miami was laughably bad but he was heralded as a "defensive innovator" when Elway hired him. In the process, the Broncos passed on a lot of young talent.
Sean McVay is already the second best coach in the league. Kyle Shanahan has an exciting future with Jimmy Garropolo. Matt Nagy is leading a Super Bowl contender. Sean McDermott ended a playoff drought.
This is the same leadership that decided to pay Case Keenum $18 million a year. Gary Kubiak is the only reason our 2018 draft wasn't as deadbeat as 2017's.
Of the possible candidates to replace Joseph, I think Jim Bob Cooter is my favorite option. He was good with Gase and his offense in Detroit has been a bright spot on an otherwise unimpressive team. His name is also legendary, so there's that.
What do you think? Is there any hope left for Vance? Who should the Broncos bring in to replace him?