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The Atlanta Falcons have requested to interview Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for their vacant defensive coordinator position, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Per that report, Evero is also a candidate for the head coaching vacancies with the Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.
The Falcons are replacing Dean Pees, who retired this week. The 73-year-old said he made the decision to spend more time with his family.
“I’ve got a bunch of grandsons that are playing football now and stuff and other sports,” he told reporters. “And I want to watch them. Sometimes I didn’t even get to see my own kids play very much. … At least now I’d like the opportunity to see my grandkids play and to be a bigger part of their life.”
Under Pees this past season, the Falcons finished 23rd in points allowed per game (22.7) and 27th in yards allowed per contest (362.1).
Improving on that side of the ball will be a priority, and head coach Arthur Smith told reporters the team would take its time identifying a replacement for Pees:
“We’re going to take our time, which I think is important. There is familiarity with schemes [and people] you want to talk to, but we’re not going to be close-minded about anything. I think it’s important. I like the setup they have now. I think it helps. I don’t feel rushed. In years past, if you’re in this situation, you may feel rushed. Things have slowed down. We’ll be mindful of that. I want to talk to a lot of different people; I have already talked to a few so far.”
While the 5-12 Broncos were a huge disappointment in general, the defense was solid under Evero, finishing seventh in yards allowed per game (320) and 14th in points sacrificed per contest (21.1).
The 42-year-old was in his first season as the team’s defensive coordinator, with past stops as a defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007-09), a quality control coach, offensive and defensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers (2011-15) and the safeties coach (2017-20) and the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach for the Los Angeles Rams (2021).
It’s unclear if the Broncos would grant him permission to take a lateral job with the Falcons. It would all likely be a moot point if a head coaching offer was sent in his direction, however.
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