In what could be the beginning of a big shakeup in Denver, the Broncos and coach John Fox agreed to part ways Monday — a day after they were eliminated from the playoffs.

“John Fox and I met for more than an hour on Monday afternoon to discuss the 2014 season and our goals for the future,” team president John Elway said in a statement. “During our open and candid conversation, it became clear that it was best for both the Denver Broncos and Coach Fox to move on and make this change.”

The Broncos reportedly also told their assistant coaches, who are under contract, that they are free to look for other jobs.

Fox leaves the Broncos with a .719 winning percentage, the best in franchise history. In four seasons, he went 46-18 — thanks largely to the presence of quarterback Peyton Manning.

However, the Broncos were bounced from the divisional round by the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, losing 24-13. It was the second time in three years Fox’s Broncos had been knocked out in their first playoff game. In between, they reached the Super Bowl, where they were blown out 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks.

“While we have made significant progress under Coach Fox, there is still work to be done,” Elway said. “I believe this change at the head coaching position will be in the best interest of our long-term goal, which from Day 1 has been to win world championships.

“Our organization is fully dedicated to reaching (owner) Pat Bowlen’s high standards for his team as we begin the process of finding the next head coach to lead the Denver Broncos.”

Fox said, “After this discussion, John and I mutually agreed that the timing was right for this decision. Although we came up short of our ultimate goal, I am proud of our team’s many accomplishments during these last four years.

“I am eager to continue my coaching career and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

—Denver quarterback Peyton Manning reportedly played the final month of the season, including Sunday’s divisional playoff loss, with a torn right quadriceps.

Two sources told ESPN that Manning initially injured his thigh Dec. 14 in a win over the San Diego Chargers.

Over the team’s last four games and Sunday’s 24-13 playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Manning accounted for four touchdowns and eight turnovers. Manning finished 26-of-46 passing for 211 yards and a touchdown against the Colts.

Manning, 39, said after the game that he must process the loss before he decides whether this was his final NFL season.

—The Buffalo Bills officially announced the hiring of former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan to lead their team.

The five-year deal reportedly is worth $5.5 million per year.

Ryan, 52, will become the 18th coach in team history, replacing Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract on Dec. 31.

Ryan has begun assembling a coaching staff, and San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman will be hired Tuesday, according to reports. Roman and Ryan worked together with the Baltimore Ravens.

—Jason Garrett, a free agent now that his season has concluded, said Monday that he wants to continue as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys lost 26-21 to the Green Bay Packers in Sunday’s divisional playoff game.

On Monday, Garrett was asked on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas if he wants to return as the Cowboys’ coach.

“Absolutely. This is a great organization,” Garrett said. “I think we really built a football team that we can be proud of, and there are some really good things ahead for this team.”

Owner Jerry Jones called Garrett “my coach of the year” after Sunday’s loss. Garrett has a 42-32 career record.

“I’m very complimentary of the coaching job we’ve done, starting with Jason,” Jones said. “He did just an outstanding job, and he’s my coach of the year. Having been part of what made him have that success is what he did with the coordinators. They did a great job as well.”

—The Oakland Raiders will interview Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio for a second time, according to reports Monday.

Del Rio is free to talk with any team after Denver’s 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday’s divisional playoff game. He has served as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for three years.

Raiders owner Mark Davis reportedly was left with a positive impression of Del Rio after the first meeting. Del Rio, who grew up in the Bay Area, will be the first candidate to have a second interview, expected to take place Tuesday.

Del Rio, 51, was coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2011 and had a record of 69-73. He twice led the Jaguars to the playoffs.

—Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is expected to interview again with the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons, and the San Francisco 49ers appear likely to talk with him again, too.

The Jets and Falcons are trying to finalize second meetings with Bowles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bowles, 51, interviewed with the Jets last Wednesday and with the Falcons on Saturday.

The 49ers reportedly favor Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase, but they could try to bring Bowles back for another interview as well. He interviewed with them last Friday.

—Dick LeBeau, who stepped down as defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, reportedly has talked to Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians about joining his staff.

LeBeau could be a perfect replacement for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who has received a lot of interest from teams seeking new coaches.

Arians is familiar with LeBeau from their time together in Pittsburgh, and the Cardinals already have the personnel to run the 3-4 defense LeBeau has long favored.

—Although Gary Kubiak was a hot name on the rumor mill for head-coaching vacancies, he will return as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator next season.

Kubiak issued a statement through the Ravens on Sunday night that read: “It is flattering and humbling to be invited to interview for a number of NFL head coaching positions, and I greatly appreciate these opportunities. But I have decided to stay with the Ravens. This is a special organization and we, like (John) Harbaugh says, are building something great. I want to be a part of that and contribute in whatever ways I can.”

The Chicago Bears and New York Jets both reportedly viewed Kubiak as a potential head-coach candidate.

Kubiak, 53, was coach of the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2013. He was 63-66 and led the Texans to their first two postseason appearances. He was fired with three games left in the 2013 season.

—The Seattle Seahawks will promote versatile quarterback B.J. Daniels to take the roster spot of injured wide receiver Paul Richardson, coach Pete Carroll said Monday.

Carroll also indicated center Max Unger and cornerback Byron Maxwell are likely to play against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Unger, who missed six games with a high ankle sprain, had the ankle rolled up on late in the Seahawks’ 31-17 win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night. Unger reportedly was concerned he had reinjured the ankle, but Carroll said the former Pro Bowl center “looks good” for the NFC title game.

Maxwell, a starting corner, played in just four special-teams plays and did not play on defense because he was suffering from shortness of breath after being sick all week. Carroll said Monday that Maxwell “feels fine” now.

Richardson suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter against Carolina and is done for the season, so Carroll decided to reward Daniels, who has been on the practice squad all season.

—“I’m not dying tonight,” Rob Konrad told himself as he made a determined effort to finish a 9-mile, 16-hour swim to shore after he fell off his fishing boat last week.

On Monday in Palm Beach, Fla., the former Miami Dolphins fullback emotionally recalled the harrowing odyssey that began last Wednesday when he fell off his 36-foot boat and could not catch up to it as it motored away under its own power.

He said he began to swim toward shore. “After about probably five hours, I said, ‘I can do this. I’m going to swim all night and hit the shore.'”

Konrad said he was encouraged by thoughts of his daughters, ages 8 and 10.

“After some time, I just said, ‘I’m not dying tonight. I have two beautiful daughters. I’m hitting that shore.'”

Konrad reached shore in Palm Beach County about 4:30 a.m. Thursday and made his way to a nearby beach house. He was taken to a hospital and treated for hypothermia and dehydration. He was released Sunday.

—In a call that will not be reversed, the Dallas Cowboys placed a league-high four players on the 2014 All-NFL team chosen by votes from the Pro Football Writers of America.

On the list released Monday, Cowboys named to the team were wide receiver Dez Bryant, center Travis Frederick, running back DeMarco Murray and tackle Tyron Smith.

The team includes six repeat players from the PFWA’s 2013 All-NFL squad: tackle Joe Thomas (Cleveland), defensive end J.J. Watt (Houston), defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (Detroit), cornerback Richard Sherman (Seattle), safety Earl Thomas (Seattle) and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (Carolina).

Other selections: Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers; New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis, tight end Rob Gronkowski and special-teamer Matthew Slater; Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri and San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle.