Gary Kubiak noncommittal on future with Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — On Sunday, the Denver Broncos will wrap up the 2016 season with one final game against the Oakland Raiders. After a disappointing season, there has already been plenty of speculation on moves that will be made both in personnel and in the coaching ranks.

It is widely believed that after a poor offensive year there will be changes within the offensive staff, from assistants to potentially all the way up the ladder.

But will the coaching changes go all the way to the top, including head coach Gary Kubiak? On Friday, in his final press conference of the week, Kubiak addressed questions about whether he would be leading this team after the season.

“You know that I love this league. I love the Broncos. I love to work,” he said. “I’m all in on the Raiders right now. There will be time for reflection and all of that stuff next week, but right now it’s time to focus on what we’re doing.”

While Kubiak didn’t give a precise answer one way or the other, his non-answer could be very telling.

If Kubiak were to not return to the team after this season it would have little to do with the record, either 8-8 or 9-7 depending on Sunday’s outcome.

After Week 6, in a game in which Denver lost 23-16 to the Atlanta Falcons, Kubiak left the stadium in an ambulance due to a complex migraine. Not only did that keep him away from the team the next week, it was the second time in his career he left a game in an ambulance. In 2013, when he was the coach of the Houston Texans, he suffered a mini-stroke on the sidelines and had to miss a week to recover.

There has been plenty of speculation that these health concerns could cause Kubiak to consider calling it a career. If Kubiak wants to continue to coach he will be back in Denver next season. If he wants to hang it up, Denver will be looking for a new coach.

Either way, Denver will know shortly after the season ends. Until then, the Broncos, and Gary Kubiak, are focused on closing out the season against Oakland.