Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - ALL SET: Denver Broncos FINALIZE Sean Payton's Coaching Staff for 2026

Starting point is 00:00:00 Sean Payton has finalized the Denver Broncos coaching staff for 2026, and it could mean some bigger changes in terms of the offensive scheme. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Happy Friday, Broncos country. Welcome into another episode of Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Lockdown podcast, the number one sports podcast network in the country. Thanks to all you every dayers out there in Broncos country for two. tuning in making us your first listen, however you choose to do so. On today's episode of the show, we're going to be talking about the Broncos coaching staff, which has been finalized ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Starting point is 00:00:46 The Broncos making some major changes to the offensive structure. What could that mean for the overall success of that unit in 2026? Plus the Broncos defensive backfield getting some new voices amongst the coaching staff, what type of impact that could have on the secondary. And on top of that, maybe the Broncos run game being the biggest proponent of change here, potentially this offseason. We'll go through that and more here on today's episode of show, brought to you by our friends over there at Fandu.

Starting point is 00:01:10 Fandu is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a college basketball, parley, profit boost head at fandu.com to get started. I'm Cody Rourke, credential Broncos reporter for my high sports. Join as always by Sarah Bettinger, site expert, promulange.com. Sarah, at the NFL combine, Sean Payton did make mention of the fact that the coaching staff and the assembling of it for this upcoming season

Starting point is 00:01:30 was taking a lot longer than maybe he would have hoped for. I don't know what factored into maybe some of those decisions, right, or more so like why it was taking so long. But as we know with Sean, he is slow to hire, quick to fire, as we have seen since he's come in in 2023 here. But the Broncos, they have finalized their coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season. And let's start off with the offensive side of all. Arguably, the most major one is Davis Webb being the offensive coordinator

Starting point is 00:01:58 and the true play caller now for Denver. A new play caller and Sean Payton doing. things that he's really never done before, right, unless he absolutely had to. I think he's referenced a couple of moments like a game where he was sick or had surgery or something like that. He had to give play calling over to somebody and they put up 60 or something points like that. He's given up play calling before, but not to this degree, right? I mean, he was suspended for a year. He had to miss a game, but otherwise, like, it's been Sean Payton's offense in full where he's designing it. He's calling the plays. He's running everything from the sideline. So now for somebody new to be doing that,

Starting point is 00:02:35 Sean said they would have to be the right person and good at it, right, or expected to be good at it. And he thinks that Davis Webb is going to be good at it. And I tend to agree, Cody, I think that Davis Webb will be good at it as well because, you know, us millennials got to stick together. You know what I mean? And Davis Webb, he's got, he's like one of us, you know, he's got great ideas, one of us, one of us. Yeah. And so I'm excited for the possibility because I love just the leadership in general that Sean is showing by doing this, the empowerment, the delegation, the willingness to do it at such a critical time for the franchise as well. Right. Bo Nix entering year three of his NFL career. The Broncos very much in a Super Bowl window. So shifting the control of play calling.

Starting point is 00:03:21 And it's not 100% right. Sean said he's still going to call some plays, but shifting the majority of play calling over to Davis. it's expected to yield a lot of different results for Broncos country, right? I mean, there's a lot of folks expecting Evan Ingram to have a bigger role. Marvin Mims to have a bigger role. And certainly when you think about, okay, what's maybe the biggest issue that Sean was having when it comes to play calling? Well, it wasn't necessarily the plays that he was calling. It was the personnel that they were having such a difficult time getting on and off the field.

Starting point is 00:03:54 And that's expected to be cleaned up at this point. So while there's already a lot of inherent pressure on Davis Webb becoming the new play caller and offensive coordinator for the Broncos, I think it's really compounded by the fact of all these expectations of what fans believe that he's going to come in and change. Yeah. And the hope was that there's going to be a timeliness in the flow of the play calling, maybe better run past balance. I think Davis Webb is a guy who used to play quarterback. I'm sure he understands that more than ever and how close he is with Bo Nix. I'm sure there's things that Bo maybe feels like he can lean on a little bit with Davis and say like, hey, like, I feel like we could do more of this.

Starting point is 00:04:31 You know, whereas I think with Sean, it's no, we don't do things that way. But I like that Bo Nix challenges Sean Payton in some of these situations. Now it's going to change a little bit with obviously Davis Webb now getting that. I think there's going to be a little bit more of a collaborative approach between those guys. I'm very curious to see like in a situation where the Broncos, let's say things aren't going well during the course of a game. I wonder how Sean will be in that situation. I'm sure he's going to get the feeling like, all right, this isn't working. Hey, let me just let me do this.

Starting point is 00:05:00 Let me just take over here. Let me do this for a second. I feel like that would be a negative thing to happen. I think that would obviously interrupt the flow and the development of a play caller in Davis. I think Sean will think that at times, but I don't think we'll actually see John do that. Certainly, that is the hope here. I'm very curious to see how he stays out of certain things, though, this upcoming season. That'll be a challenge.

Starting point is 00:05:20 It'll be new for him. But he has said that he's excited to go through this new period here. So now we will see Davis Webb maybe get more of these opportunities here going forward. Let's talk about the wide receiver change. Obviously, Keri Colbert, fired by Sean Payton. So we found out that obviously Ronald Curry, who interviewed him for the offensive coordinator job for Denver. He will now coach wide receivers, which previously he's coached that for Sean in New Orleans as coached wide receivers. Sean talks about wanting things coached particularly with how receivers catch the football.

Starting point is 00:05:48 We talk about the news versus the, you know, the fingers out. The fingers out is okay if you're talking about deep down the sideline. But ideally, he wants guys across the middle of the field to catch it like the noose. We always call it the news or the diamond there. So there is that. But I found it to be interesting. You know, once again, another former player to coach pipeline. Willie Sneed the fourth is now coming onto the coaching staff as an offensive quality

Starting point is 00:06:10 control assistant where I imagine he will help out Ronald Carrillo with the receivers. Yeah, I would imagine so as well, Cody. And I think it's very interesting to bring in a couple of former players, guys, who obviously Ronald Curry and Willie Sneed both have very distinct, intimate knowledge of Sean Peyton's offense. I mean, Ronald Curry worked for him in New Orleans, obviously was position coached there for Michael Thomas during one of his best years. And then Willie Sneed was a key player for the New Orleans Saints. And so I feel like it's both and when it comes to the technique, how you want guys to be coached up at the position, but also understanding the offense, which, I mean, you know me. I like to put on the tinfoil hat.

Starting point is 00:06:49 Could we be talking about an early round wide receiver for the Denver Broncos? If you're looking at that from that vantage point of saying, hey, we're getting former players in here. But not only that, we're getting in a couple of guys who know the offense really well and can help coach up some young players in this offense very quickly. I think there's maybe some legs to that idea as the Broncos, according to Luca Evans, Cody brought in Omar Cooper for a top 30 visit. Very interesting development there.

Starting point is 00:07:16 So, you know, I think that this, you know, the Seneca me wants to be like, hey, can Ronald Curry and Willie Sneed suit up still? Because I mean, they might be the best wide receivers. The Broncos have brought in the last couple years. Ronald Curry was a heck of a receiver back in the day. And Willie Sneed certainly played well during his time

Starting point is 00:07:33 with the Saints. But I like the additions to the coaching staff there. I think Ronald Curry, he was the quarterback's coach even for Josh Allen. For those who didn't know that about him, being Josh Allen's position coach is a big deal when it comes to your job in title and the person that you're in the room with every single day.

Starting point is 00:07:53 So I like that addition overall to the offense being Ronald Curry. And then I'm interested to see how much Sneed is hands on with these receivers. You know, I guess a pun fully intended there. Well, yeah. No, for me, it's you want to take that experience that these guys have had and you want to be able to translate. Now, obviously, Cortland Sutton is the veteran voice in that wide receiver room. But I still think even Cortland has the mindset.

Starting point is 00:08:16 that he's always willing to learn, right? If Ronald Curry can teach him a few things that can help out, Willie Sneed, especially when it comes to Sean's offense, I'm curious to see how it opens things up for other guys like Troy Franklin, for Marvin, for Pat. Cortland, I feel like, is already established at this point. So it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I found one move to be very interesting, Sarah,

Starting point is 00:08:35 and that was Evan Rothstein, who is the game manager, you know, during the course of a game is going through. The game strategy with Sean Payton up in the box, is telling him to challenge certain place. he's also now got a title with that as assistant quarterback coach. Very interesting. The plot thickens there. The Broncos have added guys to that,

Starting point is 00:08:56 you know, staff and those roles in recent years, obviously Logan Kilgore, I believe Cody came on as a quality control last year and has been promoted to quarterbacks coach now. So maybe he's taking his place, but also Kyle Kemp was hired as an offensive quality control. And, you know,

Starting point is 00:09:12 the tinfoil people like me are all, wondering, I mean, hey, are you going to bring Kyle Kemp's college running back with him, David Montgomery, but no, he was traded to the Houston, Texas. So it's unfortunate. The tinfoil theories don't always work out Broncos country, but we came through on the Davis Webb stuff. I feel like that was our best tinfoil theory up to this point. It's now come to pass.

Starting point is 00:09:33 So I like the offensive staff. I know we'll talk about later, John Morton coming back as well, very much an expected thing after the Lions let him go. But I think the Broncos are doing a good job of bringing in a couple, pieces from the outside, especially at wide receiver. That's going to be the big hire. Ronald Curry as the wide receivers coach, whatever Willie Sneed does, those are going to be big moves for this team because they're putting a lot of faith

Starting point is 00:09:56 in those young receivers, as I talked about on yesterday's bonus episode of the show. Yeah, no, it's definitely something worth monitoring. And we'll get our first action when the team takes the field in June for minicamp, which I'll be there for all those practices and we'll see what changes get incorporated here with this wide receiver group is so much more here. But the Broncos secondary in that backfield, they're going to have voice is coaching them here this upcoming season. And I'd say a voice that meshes very well with Vance Joseph.

Starting point is 00:10:22 What does that mean for Denver's defense? We'll talk about that here on today's episode of the show. Fandu is the sponsor of today's episode, Locked-on Broncos and college basketball. It's nonstop between big games, tight spreads, momentum swings every single night from early tip-offs to late-night West Coast shootouts. There is always action on the board. And Fandu is the perfect place to get in on that action. And now Fandu is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins

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Starting point is 00:11:28 arguably the most talented area of this entire roster. So some new coaches for PS2 and the fellas in the defensive backfield. There, we're going to break that down as well as much more on today's episode. Lockdown Broncos and Broncos Country, you know, here in the offseason, your boys, Cody and Sarah. are going to have you covered every single day. And if you're already an everyday listener of the show, we want to invite you if you haven't done so already

Starting point is 00:11:52 to join the everyday or all access club. And right now for just another couple of days, you can get one month free by using the code free agency. That's all one word, all caps, free agency, now through March 15th. So do it now. You can go ad free with the show, keep the conversation going on Discord,

Starting point is 00:12:10 and the link will be in the show notes for you. Or you can just check out lockdownbroncos. dot supercast.com. We appreciate you for considering supporting the show in that way. It really means the world to Cody and myself. So let's talk about the defensive backfields, Cody. The Broncos

Starting point is 00:12:26 arguably most talented group of players. Obviously, Pat Sertan, he's defensive MVP two seasons ago. Tala Noah Hufanga, second team all pro, J-Quann Macmillan, one of the best slot corners in the NFL. And then a lot of other really talented young

Starting point is 00:12:41 players, Brandon Jones, a great safety. Riley Moss, you know, the, I guess one of the most highly contested players on the team. But certainly you can understand after watching the last two seasons why the Broncos might want to improve the defensive back, I guess overall, you know, from the top down of that room because Sean Payton said after the season that a couple of the things that he noted needed to be improved right away. One of the first things he said was takeaways. And so you want to teach your defensive backs to take the ball away. And Riley Moss, technique.

Starting point is 00:13:17 Like, can you not get in trouble with penalties as much as you possibly? I mean, he's wearing boxing gloves during the season. They're making big changes to that defensive backfield coaching group, not necessarily although because they fired anybody. Lissing Jim Leder, let's talk about that. That's the biggest loss for the defensive staff. Yeah, 100%. I mean, Jim Lennard was the essential, hey,

Starting point is 00:13:41 advance Joseph gets a head coach. coaching job, he's going to be the defensive coordinator, no question about it. It was evident Vance was not getting a head coaching job. And so for Jim, as he's continued to want to, you know, ascend and maybe have his own blend, you know, of his coaching career, he's been so good for Denver since coming aboard, right? He was coveted, I think in 2023, initially when Sean Peyton, you know, took the job there, but he took an analyst job because he had hip surgery. Then he joined the team there and made some moves here.

Starting point is 00:14:09 But the thing with Jim, that stands out is, I think his experience. as a former player. I talked to a lot of Broncos guys in the secondary that told me, you know, hey, he knows what we're going through. He's been on the field before. He's seen things. And even though the game has changed a little bit from when Jim was a player,

Starting point is 00:14:25 he understands it. And I think obviously the defense he constructed when he was at Wisconsin, when he even took over as the interim head coach, had one of the top defenses in the nation there. So there's a lot of respect there for Jim, big departure there for the Broncos. But they do fill his role with someone who is very experienced, has former NFL experience.

Starting point is 00:14:42 Robert Livingston, obviously coming over from the CU buff staff with Dionne Sanders there. You can make the argument here if you've watched some CU games. Their secondary was better than their run defense for a large portion of his time there. And I think that's something that maybe the Broncos are trying to figure out us, how can we, within this scheme here that's very aggressive in nature, how do we get the secondary to have more takeaways? That was the huge question mark last year. So that's where Livingston's going to come in here, replacing Jim Leonard in that situation.

Starting point is 00:15:10 And then Doug Belk coaching defensive backs. obviously coming over from USC. I like that move to Doug Belk coming over, Cody, because he's developed some top prospects in this year's draft. And I think that, you know, when you're scouting for the Broncos in terms of future potential coaches, I think that's something that you have to make note of, right? Is, hey, the guys that are coming out of, you know,

Starting point is 00:15:32 let's talk about Doug Belk for just the last two years at USC. When you look in this year's draft and you see players like, I believe it's Bishop Fitzgerald, and there's one other guy in the secondary. His name is escaping me off the top of my head, so I'll look that up before we finish the segment. But a couple of guys in that secondary for this draft class, AJ Halsey is one of them from LSU,

Starting point is 00:15:54 who was with Doug Belk at Houston when he was there. I think that you look at those sorts of things and you say, all right, this guy helped develop these players into pro-ready prospects. Now you have a chance to get that in the NFL. Not only does it help to potentially know about these players coming in as potential draft picks for the Broncos, but you're seeing, hey, he developed these guys into legit NFL prospects or helped, you know, contribute to that significantly.

Starting point is 00:16:21 And I like that aspect of bringing somebody like this in is that player development and seeing these guys, that trajectory in a short amount of time. That's what you're putting players in a real microwave process at the college level these days. And it's Kamari Ramsey. The name finally came back to me. Kamari Ramsey is the other player. but you're putting these guys in microwaves and saying,

Starting point is 00:16:43 hey, we have like two years to get this guy to a place where he can not just be a pro prospect, but help us compete for a national title. So I like the aspect of bringing those guys up from the college ranks to help quickly, you know, these players ascend to the best that they can possibly be. And I'm sure, too, even with Livingston is that they'll probably look at if there's any undrafted defensive backs that maybe go undrafted for CU wouldn't be a surprise for Denver to pick up the phone and say, hey, we're going to invite you to train camp. You can be on our rookie mini camp roster. We'll see how things kind of play out there. But I mean, you mentioned

Starting point is 00:17:15 the three degrees of separation. That's big. But I think for this Broncos secondary, this also opens up with new coaches coming in. I really do think that there will be a little bit of a competition for that outside cornerback job. Obviously, Riley Moss is entering his last year of his rookie deal is going to be in line for a potential extension. And I guarantee, like how that goes, we'll determine whether or not the Broncos get him one. Like, I'm sure we'll see him, Chris Abrams, Drain and Jadet Barron. I think we'll see these guys compete here at training camp. At least that's the early vibe from what I understand.

Starting point is 00:17:43 That's where maybe Denver is looking, especially with the return of the Mac at the nickel position. It makes the most sense. He and Pat's Ratan. There's two spots really are the most solidified at the corner position so far here. So expect some competition there as well. I'm curious to see how new voices, new faces. And obviously, these coaches are going to challenge these guys in different ways as well

Starting point is 00:18:02 to go out there and perform at an even higher level. So I am curious to see how it all play. out. We can only put it all on paper right now. We can theorize how it'll go out. But until the Broncos take the field, it's just speculation at this point of what that's going to look like. But I do imagine that in the NFL draft, maybe here in the later stages of NFL free and see, maybe the Broncos still add to the secondary a little bit because typically we're in the process of building the 90 man roster, right? Not the 53 men roster. The 90 man roster right now is really where the focus is for this team. And all that's going to play out to determine the best 53 at the end of August. So there is a lot of

Starting point is 00:18:37 here for Denver to add to this to elevate the room. I mean, obviously in the Broncos off season, they lost DeLary and Turner Yale as well. He was on the roster. So I imagine they're going to add a few safety because as the time that you were sitting down talking about this. Denver safety group is, it's Brandon Jones, Talano, Oufanga, Devin Key, J.L. Skinner. And I think that's it right now. So they are definitely going to add a few more names and pieces, whether it be draft, undrafted rookie free agent or even a veteran and NFL free agency. They're still expected to add at some point here. But I do like the idea, hey, if you lose Jim Leonard, which was a tough loss.

Starting point is 00:19:11 I think that's definitely something that we'll talk about at some point this season. That's big. But now you're bringing in two coaches, one who's got former NFL experience. And then for one coach, this is his first time, Doug Belk, this is his first time making the jump from the college game to the pros. I'm curious to see how that all plays out. I am too. And I think to your point about adding to that safety room, I do feel like that's one of those positions that fans may not like it. but safety is got to be on the board in round one because of Brandon Jones contract situation

Starting point is 00:19:38 and just the nature of kind of this team having a lot of different other areas that they've already addressed with bringing back their own guys. Safety is one of those positions where you didn't bring back your own guy. You let PJ Locke go to the Dallas Cowboys. So I'm not saying you replace PJ Locke with a first round pick, but you kind of do some forward thinking there if you're not going to resign Brandon Jones, but also as of this time a year from now, Talano Hufanga will be entering the final year of his deal as well.

Starting point is 00:20:06 So you always have one eye on the future. And I think that those safeties that are in the first round mix right now, very good prospects, as well as the guys who are already connected to Doug Belk. Cody would make a ton of sense for this Denver Broncos team. So don't be surprised Broncos country if in the first two, three rounds, even the first round safety position is on the table.

Starting point is 00:20:26 Wouldn't surprise me, especially, I mean, even after Super Bowl 50, the Broncos, they went out and they drafted Justin Simmons in the third round. I mean, they still had Dary and Stewart, T.J. Ward. Yeah, they had the whole no-fly zone in play here.

Starting point is 00:20:38 So after they won the Super Bowl, you know, you bring out Justin Simmons. And eventually he took over for T.J. Ward. They moved on from him pretty quickly after that. So there are a lot of moving pieces here. And the roster building aspect of where this team is at, I know it's been frustrating for fans in free agency. But this is a long process. It's not just like, hey, they didn't do it in free agency. It's, hey, they can still do it leading up to the draft, even after the NFL draft.

Starting point is 00:21:01 Look at J.K. Dobbins, how late he signed, obviously, for Denver last year. So it's not all doom and gloom, though. I think it is fair to question some of the decisions and the choices or lack of movement so far from this team. But we're just going to have to wait and see here. Broncos country coming up next. We're going to talk about Johnny Moe returning to the mix here for the Broncos, why that might not be a popular move amongst some players. And Zach Streif, an interesting change to the offensive line coaching staff

Starting point is 00:21:25 and what it means for the run game operation. We'll go through that much more here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode of the show is brought to you, our friends, over there at Indeed, whether it's workplace chaos, you've got deadlines that are stacking up, your inbox is overflowing, and the one position that you have to feel is still sitting open. When the pressure is on and you need the right hire, this is a job for sponsored jobs. Indeed, sponsored jobs helps you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for, the skills, the experience, and the location.

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Starting point is 00:22:39 Johnny Moe is back as the past game coordinator here for the Denver Broncos after having a year, a rough year of being one and done as the offense to corner with the Detroit Lions. We'll talk about how this move is a little unpopular among some Broncos players on the offensive side of the ball. But more importantly, we'll also talk about Zach Streif's role. And obviously the Broncos offensive line, having a promotion to that group right there. We'll look it all down today's episode of the show.

Starting point is 00:23:05 Sarah, let's start off here with Johnny Moe. Past game coordinator for the Broncos in 2024, and he had a little bit of a reputation to him because if you're, you know, fans are paying attention. You go throughout training camp and even some press conferences, Johnny Moe's approach and how he coaches definitely got brought up, right? He yells at guys, he's very loud, he's very tough on guys. He's very old school in his approach.

Starting point is 00:23:29 We also heard when he left the Broncos after 2024 to go be the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions to replace Ben Johnson. He was quickly demoted after being the offensive coordinator. Dan Campbell took away his play calling responsibilities, citing that Johnny Moe had issues with obviously installation, calling the offense, but more importantly, having issues with the players. Now he comes back to Sean Payton staff. And it was oddly enough right before the playoffs, Sarah, I noticed it. or sitting there at practice.

Starting point is 00:23:58 I got my binoculars. And I look over to Mike Clist next to me and say, Mike, is that Johnny Moe over there? And I gave Mike my binoculars. He's looking. He goes, oh,

Starting point is 00:24:06 it looks like him. Sure enough, it was him. Now he's back into the mix here, even though that there are several players on this offensive roster that aren't necessarily big fans of him. Well, and that list might not include Frank Crum,

Starting point is 00:24:19 who has a playoff touchdown catch as a result of it, what it sounds like Johnny Moe's, uh, insulated help as a consultant. during last year's playoff run for the Broncos. So I'm interested to see because what was fascinating, Cody, and I never really said this because I don't think that there's, it's necessarily correlation and causation sort of a situation.

Starting point is 00:24:41 But the Broncos' vertical passing game was really good in 2024. And then Johnny Moe leaves. And all of a sudden, there's really not much of a vertical passing game to speak of. And the only difference or the only like real missing ingredient there was Johnny Mo. So I was. I was interested by that, but I think that certainly, like, you're right.

Starting point is 00:25:01 I mean, there's, and there's elements of this that I'm not privy to because I don't know what the players say about Johnny Morton. And I think that obviously we see that Sean Peyton and some of his most, you know, some of the branches, even off his coaching tree, trust him enough. Like, think about the fact that Dan Campbell was like, you're going to come replace Ben Johnson. I don't know that anybody could have really filled those shoes very capably in that. situation because Ben Johnson is clearly one of the best offensive minds in football. So I think Johnny Moe is a, it's fine to me.

Starting point is 00:25:35 Like I don't, it doesn't move the needle too much. It doesn't make me worry like that. It's certainly just one of those things that, hey, familiar with Sean Payton. And then kind of like I said, when you look back at that 2024 season, the vertical passing game when he was around, I mean, it was obviously different, at least even in the, even in the number of shots, I feel like they took back in. or compared to 25. Yeah, and I felt like they didn't take as many shots,

Starting point is 00:26:00 really until kind of the end of the season. Even in the playoffs, there, we saw more outfield attacking, you know, routes and attempts downfield, I think towards the end of the season than we did early on here.

Starting point is 00:26:11 And certainly the drops by Broncos, receivers, tight ends, backs collectively did not help last season in that situation. That obviously has to improve. That's why Ronald Curry is now in the building here for Denver at the wide receiver coach position here. But I felt like probably maybe the more interesting coaching move here.

Starting point is 00:26:29 Chris Morgan had interest. He was the assistant offensive line coach last season for the Broncos, had some interest from some other teams around the league. The Broncos promoted him to offensive line coach. Zach Streif didn't have a title change. He was the run game coordinator assistant head coach. But now part of me is wondering here because he's no longer, you know, Chris Morgan is no longer an assistant.

Starting point is 00:26:50 Now he is the offensive line coach. Is Sean Payton going to Zach Streif after the AFC change? Hampshire game. Is that more of folks saying, hey, we need to be more in tune with our run game scheme. Let Morgan coach up that unit, but you're in charge of trying to assemble how this scheme is ran. To me, that is a very interesting domino right here. I think we've got to talk about. Yeah, sometimes in order to be doing what you're the best at, you have to take something off your plate. You know, and Zach Streif, obviously, he's the run game coordinator. He's the assistant head coach. now he's no longer the offensive line coach, which to your point, Cody, I mean, maybe it's,

Starting point is 00:27:28 it could be a situation of are there too many cooks in the kitchen or we really want Zach to focus on the run game? I think that that's fair. And Chris Morgan has a ton of experience. I'm looking at his history in the NFL. You know the really interesting spots that he's been in, Cody? He was the Washington Redskins assistant offensive line coach from 2011 to 2013, which means you know who he He worked for Mike Shanahan. And also, here's another one. He was the offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 through 2020, which means you know who he worked for.

Starting point is 00:28:02 Kyle Shanahan. Kyle Shanahan. So the ties that bind, very, very interesting. And I like that. I want that type of like the mixture of the zone scheme and the gap scheme that the Broncos tried last year. It just felt like the outside running was nowhere near as good as it could have been, especially with somebody like RJ Harvey who you feel like,

Starting point is 00:28:23 hey, let's get RJ Harvey out on the perimeter where he can plant one foot in the ground and get north and south. Use that vision, use the ability to make guys miss in the open field. I wonder just, I mean, the ties that bind are interesting.

Starting point is 00:28:36 I mean, he obviously hasn't strictly worked for the Shanahan family, Cody, but the fact that he has been hired by both Mike and Kyle is fascinating to me. Yeah. Hey, I, at the top of this show,

Starting point is 00:28:49 I didn't realize that there. I mean, obviously being in that coaching tree, knowing those schemes run, maybe there is this correlation where it's like, I don't know Zach Streif, I don't know how much experience he has in the outside zone, but maybe if that's something the Broncos truly want to add or have thrive, better than what they did this past season.

Starting point is 00:29:06 It's better to promote someone that has been running that system that understands how to implement that. Maybe can coach it up a little bit more, not to say he couldn't do it last year as an assistant offensive line coach. But maybe that's the theme is like, hey, Zach is going to focus on the installation of the run game and our run game scheme. As Sean Payton said, I want to be able to run it from under center a little bit more, but I still want to do some two back stuff.

Starting point is 00:29:27 I want to do multiple personnel, multiple tight-in sets. We need to be able to run out of all that. So I'm curious if that's where his focus now shifts, and it's almost kind of like handing it off to Morgan to handle the primary responsibility. I'm curious to see if they have someone that's an assistant offensive line coach. That was like one thing that hasn't been announced yet. Maybe that's not going to be case. It is going to still be Streif and Morgan working with it.

Starting point is 00:29:51 But the primary say guy in terms of the installation, the coaching is going to be Morgan at this point. So we'll see how things kind of pan out here for the Broncos going forward. I think this will be a big development to follow throughout the entire off season. I think even in training camp, once we get to some preseason games, I think maybe through the first six weeks of the regular season, we are going to have our eyes really on the run game scheme. And is it working? Is it effective? That's going to be one of the bigger things that we want to have this team be better at going into 2026.

Starting point is 00:30:18 But Broncos country, let's know your thoughts here on Sean Payton's coaching staff here on today's episode. And, of course, as NFL free agency continues, and we start now building towards the NFL draft, you know, Sarah and I, we got you covered every step of the way. If there's something to happen, you get a bonus episode of the show and so much more. We're excited. We got you covered every single day all year long. We'll see you next time for another episode, Lockdown Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - ALL SET: Denver Broncos FINALIZE Sean Payton's Coaching Staff for 2026

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