Wade Phillips’ departure from Denver came as a surprise to many around the NFL. The long-time defensive coordinator led an elite Broncos defense for the past two seasons, but the two sides did not agree on a new deal before Phillips’ contract expired this month.

Phillips was hired as the Rams defensive coordinator last week.

Charlie Campbell of Walter Football reported Monday that there was more to Phillips’ breakup with the Broncos than previously believed.

Campbell’s report said: “The Los Angeles Rams’ hire of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator was met with a lot of acclaim. That was understandable, as Phillips’ defense led the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory a year ago. Many criticized the Broncos for allowing Phillips to leave with the transition to Vance Joseph. Sources with the Broncos, however, say that Phillips divided the locker room and pitted the defense against the offense. The divided locker room was toxic at the end of the season, and that was why the Broncos felt they would be better off to have Phillips depart. Sources in Houston say that Phillips stirred up some similar problems in the Texans’ locker room during the 2013 season, but not to the same extent as in Denver last season.”

Phillips vehemently denies that he divided the Broncos and responded to Campbell on Twitter voicing his disdain with the report.

@DraftCampbell your sources about me and dividing the team are an out and out lie–I resent u saying that -ask any off coach or player. — Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 23, 2017

Shortly after the tweet by Phillips, cornerback Chris Harris sided with his former defensive coordinator. Guard Max Garcia referenced “alternative facts” in response to Campbell’s report.

2017, the year of #AlternativeFacts — Max Garcia (@MGarcia_76) January 23, 2017

The responses by Harris and Garcia coincide with the thinking of others around the Broncos that there was no sign of a problem with Phillips in regards to dividing the locker room.

The Broncos promoted defensive backs coach Joe Woods to defensive coordinator once Phillips accepted the Rams’ job. Denver saw Woods as an up-and-coming coach who is ready to become a defensive coordinator.

Woods received defensive coordinator interest from the Washington Redskins prior to his promotion. The Broncos found themselves needing to choose between the younger, cheaper Woods or Phillips, who will turn 70 in June and would have required a much larger check to retain.

Phillips has a daughter who lives in Los Angeles and he was free to negotiate with any team once he became a free agent.

Many of the Broncos players love Woods and said there will not be much of a drop-off with him as defensive coordinator.

Phillips will be loved by Rams fans for his witty news conferences, brilliance as an aggressive defensive coordinator, self-deprecating humor and creative use of Twitter.

Thanks to John for bringing me ,the Greatest staff ,To Gary our leader ,to the Best players ever and to The greatest fans. I will miss you — Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 13, 2017