The Denver Broncos have undergone some changes following the 2026 NFL season. While John Franklin-Myers and Dre Greenlaw are off the team, the Broncos' biggest changes have come in the coaching staff.
Davis Webb is the new offensive coordinator, and he is also taking over playcalling duties from Sean Payton. It's a big change for Payton, but he still will have an impact on the offense. But Webb isn't the only former NFL player getting a prominent role on the staff.
According to Mike Klis of Denver 9 News, the Broncos are hiring a former wide receiver of Payton's during his New Orleans Saints days, Willie Snead IV, to be a new offensive coach in Denver. This is a fun hire for Payton and the Broncos.
Broncos hire Willie Snead IV to join Sean Payton's coaching staff
"Per source, Broncos are hiring former WR Willie Snead IV as offensive quality control coach," Klis reports.
Snead played in the NFL for nine seasons, most recently with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, where he played in just four games total. He was last signed with the Miami Dolphins, but didn't make the roster due to an injury.
But Snead began his NFL career with the Saints in 2015 when Payton was in charge. He had his best seasons with the Saints, hauling in 69 of 101 targets his rookie season for 984 yards and three touchdowns for the best year of his career.
More: J.K. Dobbins to re-sign with Broncos on two-year deal
In year-two of his NFL career, with Payton, Snead caught 72 of 104 targets for 895 yards and four touchdowns. It was a strong start to his career, but after an injury-shortened 2017, Snead left the Saints for the Baltimore Ravens and never reunited with Payton again.
That is, until now. Snead is reuniting with Payton on the Broncos coaching staff, joining Zach Strief, Todd Davis, Zach Line, and Chris Banjo, among other former players under Payton on his coaching staff after their playing days.
Snead is reuniting with Payton after nearly a decade apart, this time instead of being a coach and a player in New Orleans, it's with both as coaches in Denver with the Broncos.
More Broncos news: