Ejiro Evero could be the next defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Evero has been “let out of his contract” with the Denver Broncos and will interview for the defensive coordinator job in Minnesota. Rapoport called Evero “a strong candidate in Minnesota, along with Brian Flores.”
Sources: The #Broncos are allowing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero out of his contract and he’s expected to interview with the #Vikings. He’s considered a strong candidate in Minnesota, along with Brian Flores.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2023
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who earlier on Saturday noted that new Broncos head coach Sean Payton had yet to grant the Vikings permission to talk to Evero, seconded Rapoport’s update, noting that the interview is expected to happen early next week.
The Vikings are working through logistics to bring Broncos DC Ejiro Evero in to interview for their defensive coordinator job, source said. Expected to happen early next week.
As @RapSheet said, Denver is letting him out of his contract.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 4, 2023
What’s more is that Evero won’t be returning to the Broncos, with a report from longtime Denver insider Mike Klis saying Evero “wanted a fresh start elsewhere” and that “all signs point to Evero as Vikes DC.”
Ejiro Evero is gone. Per source, Broncos are releasing him from contract. (1st by @RapSheet). While Broncos like Evero and hoped to retain him he wanted fresh start elsewhere. All signs point to Evero as Vikes DC. Broncos to interview Sean Desai, Brian Flores for DC. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) February 4, 2023
Klis wrote for the Denver Post for a decade before joining Channel 9 KUSA in Denver as a Broncos reporter in 2015, so he has nearly two decades of Broncos reporting on his resume. He was also the first to report earlier this week that Sean Desai had taken his name out of the running for the Vikings’ DC job.
Evero interviewed for the head coaching job in Carolina but didn’t make the second round of interviews and the Panthers hired Frank Reich. But NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says Carolina remains interested in interviewing Evero for their DC job.
Evero was on the Rams’ coaching staff from 2017-21, so he has experience working with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021.
This season, the Broncos’ defense finished 12th in pass defense (210.2 yards per game), 10th in rush defense (109.8 yards per game), 7th in total defense (320 yards per game), and 14th in scoring defense (21.1 points per game).
