Broncos block Chargers from talking to Russell

The coaching carousel has been going around since Monday, but the Broncos aren’t about to help another team in the AFC West fill any vacant positions.  On Tuesday, the Broncos blocked San Diego from talking to Denver’s director of player personnel, Matt Russell.

Teams are not allowed to interview coaches employed elsewhere in the NFL during the season without first gaining consent from the team holding the rights to that coach.  The Chargers fired their general manager, A.J. Smith, on Monday and are currently seeking his replacement.

San Diego asked the Broncos for permission to interview Matt Russell to be their next G.M.  According to U-T San Diego columnist Kevin Acee, the Broncos denied to Chargers’ request, ending their pursuit of Russell, at least until the season comes to an end for Denver.

Matt Russell’s name is a hot one out there, but it’ll be hard to pry him away because he’s got Colorado roots and already has GM-like duties.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 1, 2013

Update:  CBS4’s Vic Lombardi reports that the Broncos did not block the Chargers from talking to Russell.  The team’s director of player personnel was not interested in talking to San Diego.  Obviously, Russell likes the situation he has in Denver.

Since firing Brian Xanders, the Broncos have had Russell act as G.M., managing duties with the team’s ultimate personnel power belonging to executive John Elway.  Because Russell is officially a “director of player personnel,” teams have the ability to snatch him away from Denver because a G.M. job would be considered a promotion, even if that is Russell’s unofficial job in Denver.

This may prompt the Broncos to promote Russell to official G.M., eliminating the possibility of other teams making him their own.  Otherwise, teams will keep calling and in the offseason, the Broncos won’t be able to turn them away.