With news breaking that the Denver Broncos have reached a deal to hire Sean Payton, we know the Broncos got this year’s top head coach candidate albeit at a cost. Now how will Sean Payton’s staff come together? With most of his old cronies from New Orleans employed by the Saints or another team what holdovers and additions might we see?
I said “most” of his old cronies were employed and recently dismissed, but namely, Joe Lombardi and Sean Payton go way back and he’d be my front-runner at this point for a prominent offensive assistant position. If that doesn’t pan out, then Justin Outten has interviews with others, but could potentially stick around after some late-season success with his play calling.
Klint Kubiak could also possibly be retained with his long-standing Broncos ties, but Payton may want his own guy. The candidate list is long but Lombardi is my early favorite to reunite with Payton. Joe Brady would be another name to watch if he were interested in leaving the Bills where he is currently quarterbacks coach. Popular Broncos assistants like Kubiak and Coach Z (Zach Azzanni) should be welcomed as holdovers along with Outten if he doesn’t land elsewhere.
Assuming Ejiro Evero doesn’t land a head coaching job and wants to return, he is the clear top pick for defensive coordinator given his success and continuity from last season. New rumors abound that Vic Fangio will forego the assumed hiring in Miami and join Payton back in Denver, but If that isn’t the case I can’t find a clear frontrunner with ties to Payton but available coaches with Broncos history include Ed Donatell, Joe Woods, and Renaldo Hill.
Broncos who benefit most from the Sean Payton hire
On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints made a deal for Sean Payton. Which players benefit the most from this hire?
Any of the above stated combos are a breath of fresh air to me the Denver Broncos need a turnaround to a winning football mentality and here is to hoping Sean Payton can spearhead that movement. I feel like a Payton/Lombardi/Evero combo would be my pick, but the Broncos got their man, and new hope for next season is born. A long list of names is in line to fill out the staff.