Reports: Broncos hiring Vance Joseph as DC

The Denver Broncos are hiring former franchise head coach Vance Joseph to be their defensive coordinator, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Joseph, 50, was selected over former NFL head coaches Rex Ryan and Matt Patricia, among others, for the open post under new head coach Sean Payton. Joseph replaces Ejiro Evero, who left to become the DC of the Carolina Panthers.

Joseph interviewed remotely with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator post. He reportedly was scheduled to interview Thursday with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.

Instead, Joseph returns to the Broncos, five years after he was fired as head coach. Joseph went 11-21 in two seasons in 2017-18. He had been the defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals since.

Joseph returns to Denver under new ownership and a new management team.

Joseph was released from his contract with the Cardinals last Thursday, the same day they introduced Jonathan Gannon as their new head coach. Joseph interviewed with Payton and the Broncos for eight hours on Friday.

Joseph also was the defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins in 2016.