Broncos' Sean Payton explains failure to lure Vic Fangio back to Denver: I certainly 'tried to twist his arm'

By Jeff Kerr

(CBS SPORTS) Sean Payton had one person in mind for his defensive coordinator when he accepted the Denver Broncos' head-coaching job -- Vic Fangio. 

Payton wasn't able to get Fangio as the former Broncos head coach decided to take a job with the Miami Dolphins to be their defensive coordinator instead. The power of Payton wasn't enough to lure Fangio back to Denver, which Payton can only ponder "what if." 

"Do I think he would have been a great asset for us? Yes," Payton said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, via DenverSports.com. "We were planning if the right scenario came up that we'd work together. This one was a little unique because it wasn't too long ago he was here."

How come Payton couldn't get Fangio to join him since both coaches were available? Payton was reportedly hired by Denver on Jan. 31 and Fangio accepted the Dolphins offer to become defensive coordinator on Feb. 2 ,so there was time to get Fangio back to the organization that previously employed him as a head coach. Fangio was 19-30 in his three seasons at that position (2019-2021) before he was fired.

Perhaps going back to Denver a year removed from his firing was too awkward for Fangio, who certainly had offers to be a defensive coordinator elsewhere. 

"Certainly I tried to talk to him, tried to twist his arm," Payton said. "I'm excited for his opportunity in Miami. I think he's a talented coach. He was always a challenge." 

The Broncos were able to land Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator. Ironically, Joseph was head coach of the Broncos prior to Fangio getting hired -- going 11-21 in his two seasons prior to his dismissal.