3 rumored names who fit Sean Payton's staff best on defense

2. Kris Richard

Richard would be another that would be following Payton from New Orleans to Denver, but his resume alone would be enough for him to join the Broncos' staff. Recently served as the Saints' co-defensive coordinator, Richard also served as the defensive backs coach for the Legion of Boom in Seattle, and then their defensive coordinator. Next, he would go on to be the defensive backs coach for the Cowboys under Jason Garrett, and then have the same title for the Saints until his promotion to co-defensive coordinator. Richard has worked on a number of strong defensive staffs, and the vast majority of them have had top-of-the-line success with him working on the group.

Richard has reportedly interviewed for the Broncos' defensive coordinator position already, which could also open the door for him to join the Broncos' staff in just about any capacity. The leg up that Richard has here as opposed to some of the other candidates is that he is currently a free agent. Richard opted to part ways with the Saints after the conclusion of the 2022 season, making him free to sign with any team, also making him able to take any position with the team he signs with.

He won't need a promotion to be able to leave the Saints, giving Sean Payton and whoever the defensive coordinator is a lot of flexibility to bring Richard into the fold, in the event that the defensive coordinator is not Richard himself. Richard is also fairly young in relation to his extensive body of work, only 43, and could become a strong long-term fit for the Broncos at the helm of their defense.