The Denver Broncos are hiring former NFL wide receiver Willie Snead IV to be the team’s new offensive quality control coach. It will be Snead’s first time coaching in the NFL, and he is another coach on the Broncos staff with a connection to Sean Payton. Here’s more information on Snead’s background before he joined Denver’s coaching staff.
Broncos Hire Willie Snead IV As Offensive Quality Control Coach
New Orleans Saints (2014-2017)
Snead, who is originally from Winter Park, Florida, played college football at Ball State from 2011 to 2013. At Ball State, Snead earned finalist honors for the Biletnikoff Award in 2013, while he ranks second in Ball State history for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
In 2014, Snead went undrafted but signed with the Cleveland Browns, who waived him during final roster cuts. He later signed with the Carolina Panthers, only to be part of their practice squad and eventually released.
Snead’s breakthrough opportunity came after he joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad in December of 2014. In three seasons playing for the Saints under Payton, Snead caught 149 receptions for 1,971 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens (2018-2020)
The following season, Snead signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens as a result of the Saints failing to match the contract the Ravens offered Snead. Like in New Orleans, Snead’s stint in Baltimore was also three seasons.
Even though he didn’t match the production he had with the Saints, Snead caught 126 receptions, 1,422 yards, and even scored nine touchdowns as a Raven, which was more than he scored when he was a Saint.
Las Vegas Raiders / Carolina Panthers (2021)
Following the 2020 NFL season, Snead signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million with the Las Vegas Raiders in late March of 2021. Snead didn’t last the entire season with the Raiders, as the team released him in October.
Las Vegas is also the last team Snead recorded a reception for in his NFL career, while he caught three receptions for 33 yards in the five short games he played with the Raiders.
The day after his release from the Raiders, the Panthers called Snead to join their practice squad. Snead played in nine games with the Panthers during his second stint with the team.
San Francisco 49ers (2022-2023)
In August of 2022, Snead signed with the San Francisco 49ers but never secured a secure roster spot, as the team signed and released him multiple times during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Miami Dolphins (2024)
The last NFL team Snead signed with was the Miami Dolphins, but the stint lasted less than 20 days; the team placed him on injured reserve and later released him. Even though Snead’s career may not have ended in the best way, his first year of coaching can be a great learning experience, given all of the coaches who will be on the Broncos’ offensive staff.