Report: Denver's second meeting with Jim Harbaugh possibly repelled other candidates

Did Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's second meeting with Denver owner Greg Penner repel other top candidates for the Broncos' head-coaching opening?

"Word of Penner's recent trip to Ann Arbor for a second meeting with Harbaugh was circulating throughout league circles Wednesday, catching other candidates off-guard, according to league sources," wrote The Athletic's Mike Sando.  

Although Harbaugh announced he's returning to Michigan in 2023, Penner flew to Ann Arbor, Mich., last week to speak with him in person. No deal materialized, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Penner-Harbaugh meeting could have a domino effect in Denver.

Denver recently interviewed former Saints HC and Super Bowl XLIV champion Sean Payton. Last week, Payton delayed his second interview with Denver and met with Arizona instead, per Saints insider Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune.

Other candidates have also avoided the Denver job. 

Cowboys DC Dan Quinn is sticking with Dallas, and San Francisco DC DeMeco Ryans will likely become Houston's next HC if his second interview goes well, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Denver's haphazard search seems to be a turnoff for candidates who want more transparency from its ownership.

"This could be a case of an owner new to the league not fully understanding the consequences of operating in that manner," wrote Sando.  

Per Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network: "It's possible the Broncos could also expand the search, potentially including coaches who impressed the teams in interviews for the job a year ago, such as Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan."