The Denver Broncos are letting defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero out of his contract to pursue other opportunities, NFL Network and 9News reported Saturday night.

The move paves the way for Evero to interview for the DC position in Minnesota as well as other teams, including the Carolina Panthers, who had also requested permission to interview him. 9News reports that Evero is most likely to be hired by the Vikings.

Evero, 42, had spoken to new Broncos head coach Sean Payton about remaining in Denver, but he reportedly wanted a fresh start elsewhere. The Broncos accommodated him.

The Broncos are expected to interview Brian Flores and Sean Desai to replace Evero. Flores, 41, serves as the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Desai, 39, is the Seattle Seahawks’ associate head coach and defensive assistant.

In Evero’s first season as the Denver DC in 2022, the team finished 14th in the league in scoring defense (21.1 points per game) and seventh in total defense (320.0 yards per game).

Before joining the Broncos under former head coach Nathaniel Hackett, Evero was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-21), Green Bay Packers (2016) and San Francisco 49ers (2011-15).

Evero is also the “top target” for the Rams’ defensive coordinator position if current DC Raheem Morris lands the Indianapolis Colts’ head coaching job, according to SI.

–Field Level Media