Broncos Rumors: Is Mike Munchak The Favorite For Denver Head Coaching Job?

The Denver Broncos have plenty of questions to answer this offseason, after missing the playoffs for the third season in a row. General manager John Elway is in the process of interviewing head coaching candidates after firing Vance Joseph, and it appears an early favorite has emerged from the pack.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport said on Sunday morning that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak is the “early favorite” for the job. Munchak was previously the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2011 to 2013.

Munchak, who earned a spot in the Hall of Fame as an offensive lineman, is said to heavily favor the Broncos job. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it would be Munchak’s ideal landing spot, as his daughter and her family live in Denver and he has the same agent as Elway.

He has reportedly been picky in the past, having turned down a head coaching opportunity last year to stay with the Steelers. His tenure in Tennessee was forgettable, as he accumulated a 22-26 record over three seasons. The Titans struggled with quarterback instability at the time, bouncing between Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Quarterback is also a major question mark in Denver this year.

Munchak is far from the betting favorite to land the job. Oddsmakers think Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is the most likely bet to be the new Broncos head coach, though he has yet to interview with Elway. The team has also been linked to New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores and possibly even Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.