Broncos despatched DeMeco Ryans last-second plea earlier than Sean Payton rent
Report: Broncos tried to lure Ryans from Texans at last second initially appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Denver Broncos’ journey to rent Sean Payton as their subsequent head coach reportedly concerned some wild twists and turns.
NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, citing sources, that Denver didn’t surrender on its dream of hiring 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans even after it grew to become clear he was heading to the Houston Texans.
The Broncos labeled Ryans as their prime candidate within the hiring search from the beginning.
“[Tuesday], once we all thought [the Broncos] have been zeroing on Sean Payton, they made one other run at DeMeco Ryans, failed there, and now return to Sean Payton and attain a cope with him,” Rapoport mentioned.
However the Broncos weren’t achieved there. Rapoport additionally reported as soon as it was clear Ryans wasn’t an possibility, members of the group flew out to Ann Arbor, Mich., however didn’t persuade College of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh to take the job.
Harbaugh hasn’t coached within the NFL since his four-year stint with the 49ers from 2011 to 2014. He has spent the final eight years teaching the Wolverines however has been rumored in recent times to be excited about an NFL return.
With Ryans finishing a homecoming to Houston and Harbaugh remaining within the faculty ranks, the Broncos pivoted to paying a big value to usher in Payton as their subsequent head coach.
Although Payton stepped down as New Orleans’ head coach after the 2021 NFL season, the Saints nonetheless held rights to his contract. The Broncos coughed up a 2023 first-round decide and 2024 second-round decide to the Saints in change for Payton and a 2024 third-round decide.
RELATED: Purdy still contemplating options after serious elbow injury
Payton may have loads of points to kind by as soon as he arrives within the Mile Excessive Metropolis. The Broncos completed final season with a disappointing 5-12 file, and struggling veteran quarterback Russell Wilson is beneath contract by the 2028 NFL season.
Ryans, in the meantime, will attempt to start a turnaround in Houston teaching the identical crew that chosen him within the third spherical of the 2006 NFL Draft.