Hiring Gary Kubiak Would Be Safe Play for Broncos, but Nothing More

The Denver Broncos are one of two NFL teams without a head coach, though that seems likely to change within the next few days, with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak set to interview for the position this Sunday.

This comes as somewhat of a surprise, given the developments of last weekend—Kubiak released a statement saying he would not be pursuing head coaching opportunities this offseason—but a Kubiak-to-Denver hiring would make sense for both parties.

So not only has Kubiak agreed to interview with the Broncos, but he has emerged as the favorite for the position, according to ESPN’s Ed Werder:

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Kubiak is "far and away" the Broncos' top choice to fill their coaching vacancy, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone canceled his interview there to see what happens with Kubiak first.

Broncos fans are not likely to label Kubiak a home run hire, but none of the remaining head coaching candidates are overly inspiring or without question marks, and Kubiak would be a safe choice for a franchise that likely needs to only tweak its roster this coming offseason.

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The 53-year-old has both playing and coaching experience with the Broncos: He was current general manager and executive vice president John Elway’s backup quarterback from 1983-91 and served as the offensive coordinator there from 1995-2005.

That first caveat is important, given that the arrangement during his playing days is exactly the same as it would be now: Elway as the No. 1 and Kubiak the No. 2.

Elway has often talked about building the team through homegrown talent, but that phrase does not have to apply exclusively to the roster. If Kubiak is the Broncos' next head coach, he would fit that description as well.

Of note, at his press conference following the Broncos playoff loss last weekend, Elway emphasized (per Mile High Report) his frustration in the lack of effort, noting "you want to feel like you go out kicking and screaming."

As a point of emphasis in the coaching search, the decision to settle on Kubiak seems a bit misguided from my view as a fan. But if there is anyone in the NFL who knows exactly what Kubiak can bring to the table as a head coach, it would be John Elway.

Maybe Kubiak is not the fiery coach Elway envisioned when the coaching search started, but more importantly is Kubiak would form good relationships with his positional coaches and players. And that brings you closer to a championship than a lesser coach who gets animated on the sidelines.

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His most recent accomplishments include turning quarterback Matt Schaub into a two-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2012) and finishing the 2014 season with the Ravens as the NFL’s eighth-ranked rushing offense with journeyman Justin Forsett—compared to 30th the year prior.

Kubiak was fired by the Houston Texans following a 2-11 start in 2013, and he was ridiculed that season for running a conservative and predictable offense. That was a simplified offense, however, and Schaub threw a pick-six in four straight games before being benched in favor of second-year quarterback Case Keenum.   

What Kubiak will bring to the Broncos—amid questions surrounding Peyton Manning’s future in the NFL—is a zone-blocking, one-cut system and an emphasis on running to set up the pass.

The Broncos offense changed this past season, following a Week 11 loss to the St. Louis Rams in which Manning threw 54 times, becoming more balanced as running back C.J. Anderson averaged 23.3 rushes per game in six regular-season games after that.

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If Manning returns in 2015—and Elway wants him back—Kubiak will need to tweak his offensive style to adapt to Manning’s strengths and limitations. Kubiak runs a West Coast offense ideally designed around mobile quarterbacks being able to roll out and challenge the defense laterally.

That system would not be a fit with Manning, but it can be adjusted to work with him under center. And when Manning does retire, the Broncos already have a big, strong-armed quarterback mobile enough to run for a first down who does fit the system in Brock Osweiler.

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer believes Manning could play in a Kubiak-designed offense:

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Gary is a great coach and great coaches change their systems up, they extend it, or tweak it to maximize their players' abilities. But they would both have to work at it, they both would have to find what was best for them on each side. They could do it, but they would have to put in the time to make it right. It's not an exact fit, but Kubes is a great, great coach and Peyton is one of the best ever. If they want to get it done, need to get it done, they'll get it done.

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Earlier this week, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweeted he was told Manning wanted to sign with the Houston Texans as a free agent in 2012. The Texans coach at the time, of course, was none other than Gary Kubiak.

John Elway may be turning to an old friend as the Broncos' next head coach. And Gary Kubiak has the pedigree and the strengths to fit with the roster Elway has assembled, both for next season and when the Peyton Manning era in Denver is over.