The Denver Broncos offseason got off to an interesting start with Gary Kubiak retiring, Vance Joseph replacing him and having defensive coordinator Wade Phillips depart after not getting his contract renewed.
Phillips is now the new defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, and Joe Woods was hired as his replacement in Denver. Some have speculated that Phillips left in large part because of a “toxic” environment he created in the Broncos locker room:
@DraftCampbell your sources about me and dividing the team are an out and out lie–I resent u saying that -ask any off coach or player.— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 23, 2017
Broncos star cornerback Chris Harris Jr. quickly came to the defense of his former master:
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) January 23, 2017
It’s hard for many to understand why the Broncos wouldn’t bring back the man who created arguably the greatest defense of all-time in 2015, leading to a Super Bowl 50 championship. Not only that, but the Broncos also had the fourth-best defense in 2016 despite key injuries to many stars and having 2015 standouts such as Malik Jackson sign elsewhere.
But the Broncos defense should produce at a high level once again in 2017, with Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby, Brandon Marshall, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward returning for next season.
Even though Phillips is gone, there’s no reason to believe he created a toxic environment in Denver. Perhaps it’s just another conspiracy because people find it hard to believe that he left…on rather positive terms.
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