Next Denver Broncos coach odds: Dan Quinn now clear favorite with Jim Harbaugh returning to Michigan

At one point, Michigan's Jim Harbaugh was the betting favorite at DraftKings to be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos, but after a second year in a row of flirtation with returning to the NFL (the Indianapolis Colts also were a possibility), Harbaugh will return to Ann Arbor. He will have a loaded team in 2023 that could easily return to the College Football Playoff. The new clear-cut +125 favorite at DraftKings to take over in Denver is Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Quinn, Kevin O'Connell and Nathaniel Hackett were the finalists for the Denver job last year when the team was under previous ownership. General manager George Paton also held his role under the previous regime. He failed miserably in hiring Hackett, who didn't even make it through the 2022 season. O'Connell led the Vikings to the NFC North title, although they flamed out in the Wild Card Round vs. the New York Giants. This year's head-coaching search is being led by new CEO and part-owner Greg Penner.

The Dallas defense has been a turnover-forcing machine under Quinn, leading the NFL the past two seasons in takeaways. The unit totaled 33 this season and earned a crucial end-zone interception of Tom Brady on Monday night. That play completely changed the wild card game against the Buccaneers, which Dallas won 31-14.

Obviously, the Broncos can't hire Quinn until the Cowboys are done playing. Any chance Quinn had of taking over the top job in Dallas likely vanished with the victory over the Bucs, which made Mike McCarthy much safer. He'll all but surely be back next season, barring a huge embarrassment Sunday in San Francisco. 

If Denver prioritizes someone with head coaching experience, Quinn fits the bill. He was in charge of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-20. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos will interview Quinn on Friday. The Colts also have put in a request to interview Quinn.

Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is +300 to get the job, but it would likely cost the Broncos a first-round pick as compensation to the Saints and Denver isn't exactly flush with those after the Russell Wilson trade. No other betting option is below +1000.

The Broncos interviewed Payton on Tuesday and also will interview Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris (+2000) and 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans (+1500). Morris has head coaching experience but Ryans doesn't.  

Some would argue the Denver job is the best on the market because of the team's deep-pocketed owners and a rabid fan base. Yet any coach who takes the job would have to be sold that Wilson isn't past his prime after a disastrous first year in Denver. If a defensive coach like Quinn gets the job, hiring the right offensive coordinator would be crucial.

DraftKings favorites to be next Broncos coach

• Dan Quinn +150
• Sean Payton +300
• David Shaw +1000
• Jim Caldwell +1400
• DeMeco Ryans +1500
• Ejiro Evero +1500

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