ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton is hiring Vance Joseph, the team's former head coach, to be his defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.
Joseph coached the Broncos in 2017 and 2018 before then-general manager John Elway fired him following a 6-10 season that resulted in the team's third consecutive missed playoff after winning Super Bowl 50.
Joseph has spent the last four seasons as the Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator. Payton interviewed Joseph at the team's suburban Denver complex on Feb. 17.
Payton had interviewed a group of candidates that included ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Rex Ryan, Seattle Seahawks associate head coach Sean Desai and current Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker.