ENGLEWOOD — Vance Joseph has a lot on his plate.

The Broncos defensive coordinator is preparing for a divisional-round playoff game Saturday against the Bills. Joseph is also one of the NFL’s most sought-after head coaching candidates. He conducted remote interviews with at least six teams — Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, Raiders, Ravens and Titans — over the team’s playoff bye week as the AFC’s top seed.

How much work did Joseph put into his interviews beforehand?

“Honestly guys, it wasn’t much prep,” Joseph said after practice Wednesday at Broncos Park. “This is my third or fourth time going through the process. It was more of a conversation for me. What you learn in the process is that the prep is overrated. Having a book is overrated. … Most of all, you realize that winning helps. So, my focus was on the Broncos the entire time and winning games. Whatever happens, happens. But you have to win to gain respect for those jobs.”

Joseph is primed for a return to head coaching after a previous two-year stint in Denver (2017-18). The Broncos finished the 2025 regular season ranked first in sacks (68), second in total defense (278.2 yards) and third in scoring defense (18.3 points).

Last month, cornerback Pat Surtain endorsed Joseph as an NFL head coaching candidate. Surtain said: “When he gets that call, he’s very deserving for that role.” Joseph described the outside interest as “flattering” Wednesday.

“But it speaks to the entire program,” Joseph continued. “When teams want to hire a coach from a winning program, they want the recipe. So, it speaks to coach (Sean) Payton, it speaks to the ownership, it speaks to (general manager) George (Paton) and our players. It’s everyone’s reward, so to speak. It’s strange that way. … How we flipped here in the last three years — it’s pretty special. It’s a way to do it. That secret lies with us, so they want that secret.”

Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi also interviewed remotely last week for the Giants head coaching vacancy.

“It’s always nice to get those opportunities. But I can say my sole focus has been on the Bills,” Rizzi said. “It was great. But it’s no different than Vance or Davis (Webb) or Jimmy (Leonhard). We’ve all got to stay focused on this game, and I think Sean has done a great job of making sure that the whole building is locked in on the Buffalo Bills, and that’s really what we’re doing.”