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Broncos 2023 Head Coach Tracker: Sean Payton begins to build his first staff in Denver

February 4, 2023

Sean Payton is off and running as the Denver Broncos’ new head coach.

Shortly after being traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Broncos, the former Super Bowl Champion began building his staff in Denver.

Here is everything you need to know about Payton’s coaching staff.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Saints assistant to the head coach/offensive assistant Kevin Petry has decided to remain with New Orleans. Sean Payton reportedly offered him a job to join the Broncos, but he decided to stay with the Saints.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Outside linebacker coach Bert Watts is not expected to return to the team next season.
The Broncos plan to interview Saints’ quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry for their offensive coordinator job. Curry joined Sean Payton’s staff in 2016 as an offensive assistant. He then became WR coach in 2018 and QBs coach in 2021.
Sean Payton is eyeing Declan Doyle for the team’s tight end coach, per Josina Anderson. Doyle spent the past four seasons with the Saints, most recently as an offensive assistant.
Sean Payton made an offer to Saints offensive assistant/assistant to the head coach Kevin Petry.

Monday, Feb. 6

Tight ends coach Jake Moreland and assistant offensive line coach Ben Steele are not expected to return to the Broncos.
Brian Flores will become the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. Flores was scheduled to interview with Denver on Tuesday. With him out of the mix, Desai is the only known candidate to be interviewing for the Broncos’ defensive coordinator job.
Sean Payton will interview Brian Flores and Sean Desai for the team’s open defensive coordinator position via Zoom on Tuesday.
Denver’s inside linebacker coach Peter Hansen and the team have parted ways. Hansen could be a candidate to follow Ejiro Evero to the Panthers.
Sean Payton has made his first coaching staff addition as the Broncos are expected to hire Zach Strief to be the team’s offensive line coach. Strief was drafted by Payton and the Saints in 2006 and played under Denver’s new coach through 2017. A few years after retirement, he joined Payton’s staff as the team’s assistant offensive line coach from 2021-2022.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Brian Flores will interview with the Broncos on Tuesday for their defensive coordinator position.
Ejiro Evero has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers to be their defensive coordinator. Evero’s time with the Broncos is officially over.

Saturday, Feb. 4

The Broncos are letting defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero out of his contract. This allows Evero to interview with other teams for defensive coordinator positions. Evero and Sean Payton talked multiple times this past week about his future with the team. On Friday, Denver put in interview requests to speak with Brian Flores and Sean Desai about their defensive coordinator position, which put Evero’s future with the team in doubt.
Loren Landow has informed players he and his staff are leaving the Broncos following. The team’s head strength and conditioning coach joined Denver before the 2018 season.

Friday, Feb. 3

Denver also put in a request to interview Seahawks associate head coach/defensive assistant Sean Desai for their defensive coordinator position. Desai was the Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2021.
The Broncos put in a request to interview Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach for their defensive coordinator position, source confirmed to DNVR.
Denver’s request does not impact or indicate Evero’s future with the Broncos, a source told DNVR.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Ejiro Evero and Sean Payton will talk on Thursday to discuss Evero’s future with the Broncos.
Vic Fangio will, in fact, reportedly join the Miami Dolphins as their defensive coordinator, but will wait until after the Super Bowl to sign. There were reports earlier in the week that Denver was negotiating with Fangio to have him as their defensive coordinator. A source told DNVR that all staff decisions will be up to Sean Payton.