Falling short of Super Bowl aspirations has its consequences.
The Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox mutually agreed to split ways on Monday after the Broncos fell to the Indianapolis Colts at home over the weekend. While the move was not a complete shock, it is only the second time in NFL history that a coach and team have split following three straight 12-win seasons (Tony Dungy's retirement was the other case).
Now the Broncos must replace Fox and here are three potential candidates.
1. Adam Gase
Denver has made it known that all assistants are free to interview with other teams, so it's possible that offensive coordinator Adam Gase could be moving on. Gase is drawing interest from the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago bears and Atlanta Falcons for their open head-coaching positions.
"Expect them to look outside the organization for their new head coach," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Monday on NFL AM. "While respected offensive coordinator Adam Gase is considered a candidate, he is not at this point considered to be the leading candidate."
2. Dan Quinn
It seems like every team with a head-coaching vacancy wants a piece of Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. However, Quinn is unable to sign any deals until after Seattle's postseason run, which could continue into February if the Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. That's a long time to wait before hiring a new head coach. Quinn is believed to be the No. 1 target of the New York Jets, but ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that "the Broncos want to interview" him.
3. Gary Kubiak
The former Houston Texans head coach and current Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator has drawn interest from several teams, most notably the Chicago Bears. Kubiak has said that he intends to stay in Baltimore, but that could always change in an instant. Schefter Tweeted earlier today that the "[B]roncos will seek permission to interview Ravens OC Gary Kubiak, who played and coached in Denver but has said he would stay in Baltimore."
