5 offensive coordinator ideas for the Broncos and Sean Payton

4. Mark Brunell, QB coach, Detroit Lions

Speaking of Dan Campbell's staff with the Detroit Lions, and speaking of Mark Brunell, how about considering the former Pro Bowl QB as an option to join the staff in Denver. As a player, Brunell was one of the best in the league. He played from 1994-2011 and his three Pro Bowl campaigns came in the late 90s when the Jaguars really established themselves as a threat in the AFC, including derailing some Super Bowl hopes of the Denver Broncos at one point in time.

Brunell is a Los Angeles, California native just like Denver Broncos GM George Paton. He was also on the New Orleans Saints roster from 2008-09 when -- you guessed it -- Sean Payton was the head coach of the team. He started coaching quarterbacks in Detroit in 2021 and is poised to enter his third season there, unless perhaps a team like the Denver Broncos comes calling.

Although he's not exactly a branch off the Sean Payton coaching tree, there is a clear tie there from his playing days where he won a Super Bowl as Drew Brees' backup with the Saints.

Again, having former players in the building is almost a non-negotiable for the Denver Broncos as they assemble this staff. Former players know how to relate best to players. Not that you need former players in every seat, but it seems like that trend has been very successful of late for NFL teams and we're seeing a lot of franchises catch the trend, like the Houston Texans hiring DeMeco Ryans in this cycle.

Brunell, if nothing else, might be a fascinating candidate to consider as a passing game coordinator if the Broncos can pry him away from the Lions, who have amazingly been able to keep their coaching staff mostly intact this offseason despite a lot of interest from other NFL teams.