Evero passes interim Broncos job, has desire for head coach

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero had a chance on a two-game tryout.

The opportunity to get an idea of ​​the job of head coach, even if it was interim.

He refused it. He will wait for another opportunity. Maybe with Denver through its hiring process. Maybe with another team.

But not this time, after Evero’s good friend and first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired. Evero will remain in charge of one of the best defenses in the league. That’s how he thinks he can best help the team as interim coach Jerry Rosburg – hired in September to help Hackett with game management duties – runs the show for the rest of the season. season.

« I don’t want to go into too much detail, » Evero said when asked why he passed on this opportunity. “We all agreed that the best thing for this team to go forward was for me to continue to work with the defense. I fully invested myself in it. I think that’s where I could have the best value for this team.

He and the Broncos have their hands full trying to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) on Sunday. The Chiefs have won 14 straight games over the Broncos (4-11).

« He’s a hell of a player, » Evero said of Mahomes, who threw three touchdowns and three interceptions in Kansas City’s 34-28 win at Denver in Week 14.

Evero described the aftermath of Hackett’s dismissal on Monday as « difficult ». They have long been good friends and were college teammates at UC Davis. Hackett’s tenure with Denver lasted 15 games as the offense crumbled under quarterback Russell Wilson.

« I hold him in high regard, » Evero said of Hackett. what we signed up for, and we have to live with those consequences when we have those kinds of results. But there are very few people – other than my wife – in this world that I respect more.

Rosburg respected Evero’s decision.

« My feeling is that if this had happened to me with another close friend of mine in my career, I hope I would have done the same thing, » Rosburg said. « But it’s not an easy thing to do. I think he should be recognized for the magnanimous act he did. Frankly, there are a lot of people who want to stand up here. He is highly qualified and he deserved the opportunity to say, ‘Yes.’ He chose to say, “No”.

If Evero ever needed a shining reference, just find safety Justin Simmons. He thinks Evero will be a great candidate for head training.

« One of the brightest minds I’ve come across and one of the best leaders, » Simmons said. « I think he would be top of the list for that. »

Evero’s defense was a bright spot even though the Broncos will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight time. It wasn’t pretty last week, however, when Baker Mayfield and the Los Angeles Rams racked up 388 yards en route to a 51-14 victory.

« It’s not what any of us expected, » said Evero, who was the secondary/passing game coordinator for the Rams last season when they won the Super Bowl. « We can’t take it back now. »

NOTES: The Broncos practiced Thursday in pads and on about a foot clear of snow. « I used to work on road construction – it’s better, » Rosburg said of being a coach. … Rosburg did not reveal who would call the offensive plays. resume, » Rosburg cracked. … Among those who didn’t practice Thursday were TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring) and OLB Randy Gregory (knee). WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle) was limited. … Jeudy defended Wilson to have an office in a post on social media. « I’m just tired of reading things about my boy and giving the impression, ‘Oh, he’s not a good teammate,' » Jeudy explained after training.

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Pat Graham, The Associated Press