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With Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh already set to interview the Denver Broncos, they’re also hoping to meet with Dan Quinn for their vacant head coaching job.
By NFL Network Ian Rapoportthe Broncos have asked the Dallas Cowboys for permission to speak with the 52-year-old defensive coordinator.
Rapoport noted that Quinn was one of Denver’s top candidates last year and will be again this year.
9News’ Mike Klis reported that the Broncos also requested permission to interview defensive coordinators DeMeco Ryans and Raheem Morris.
Rapoport and Pelissero reported Sunday that Harbaugh will meet with Broncos management this week, but they noted he could use the NFL to secure a big-money extension from the University of Michigan.
Harbaugh signed a five-year extension with Michigan in January 2021, but the deal came with a significantly reduced guaranteed salary in relation to what he was earning.
In a statement Released by the school last week, Harbaugh said “no one knows what the future holds” but he expects to be with the Wolverines next season.
Payton, who works as an NFL analyst for Fox, said on Sunday’s pregame show that he’s already had an informal chat with Broncos ownership and will have a formal interview when the teams will be allowed to speak with candidates from January 17.
FOX Sports: NFL @NFLonFOX
Yesterday, the Broncos contacted the Saints to inquire about their former HC Sean Payton.@SeanPayton discusses the situation and his possible return to the NFL ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XDr7HADIUT
The New Orleans Saints still own the contractual rights to Payton, so any team that wants to hire him should work out a deal with the Saints.
Report reported that the Broncos “seem willing” to meet New Orleans’ asking price “of a first-round pick and up” if they decide Payton is the one they want as their next head coach.
Ryans is one of the most sought-after coaching candidates this offseason. He was in the running for the Minnesota Vikings last offseason before turning down a second interview to stay with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN
My understanding is that the 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans opting out of the Vikings job came down to the coach being in no rush to leave a good situation in San Francisco. He wants to be an HC one day and appreciated the chance to talk with MIN. Expected to be one of the hottest names in next year’s cycle.
San Francisco’s defense under Ryans has been one of the best units in the NFL over the past two seasons. The group led the league in points allowed, yards allowed and ranked second in rushing yards allowed this season.
Although it’s been a tough season for the Los Angeles Rams due to injuries, Morris’ job should also make him an attractive coaching candidate. He has spent the past two seasons as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.
Prior to joining the Rams staff, Morris was an assistant on Quinn’s staff with the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-2020. The 46-year-old held various jobs during that time including assistant head coach, games coordinator passing, wide receivers coach and defensive coordinator.
quinn was one of many candidates Denver interviewed last year. The Broncos eventually decided to hire Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
After a 4-11 start this season, Hackett was fired by the Broncos on Dec. 26. Jerry Rosburg, a senior staff assistant at Hackett, was named interim head coach for the final two games.
Quinn is in his second season as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. They finished in the top seven in points allowed in each of his two years with the team. He spent five seasons as Falcons head coach from 2015 to 2020.
The Falcons went 43-42 under Quinn with two playoff appearances, including a trip to Super Bowl 51 after the 2016 season.