An interview with Linebackers Coach Peter Hansen

Often referred to as the “quarterback of the defense,” inside linebacker is one of the most complicated positions in the game. In addition to covering the entire width of the field against the run and the pass, their central vantage point allows them to read the offense’s formation and shift the defense’s configuration on the fly. The Broncos’ linebackers are having great success under Linebackers Coach Peter Hansen, who previously coached for the San Francisco 49ers, Stanford and UNLV. We recently sat down with Hansen to discuss his players’ strong communication on the field, Jonas Griffith’s development, learning from his father’s storied coaching career and more.

Ellie Kinney: The Broncos have been one of the top defenses in the league through the first part of the season. To what do you attribute that success?

Peter Hansen: “I think we’re inheriting a lot of really good players, and they’re making really good plays. And then the scheme that ‘Coach E’ [Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero] has brought over is so sound and so easy for the guys to learn, so they can play fast and they can execute. We’re really sound against the run, and then once the teams start passing, the talent takes over as far as rush and coverage.”

EK: Communicating and positioning the defense are such critical components of the inside linebacker position. Are those skills that you can teach, or do they just come naturally to certain players?

PH: “We can emphasize the communication, but we’ve got a veteran group as well. The main communicators are Josey [Jewell], and then when he’s out, Alex [Singleton] is in — he’s a really good communicator — and they’re both veteran players that have seen a lot. I think we emphasize it, yes, but they have it in them at this point, as far as experience.”

EK: Speaking of Jewell, when he’s been on the field, it seems like he’s been involved in every play. What kind of impact does he have as a playmaker and as a leader?

PH: “I just think a huge impact. He even…