Just call them the Denver Saints.
Since taking over as the Denver Broncos’ head coach last year, Sean Payton has hired 22 former New Orleans Saints. Payton, who won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2009, has brought in 12 coaches (including a strength coach), two executives and eight players (but two of those players joined New Orleans after Payton left).
The most recent addition is new defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, who spent training camp and preseason with the Saints as a safety in 2013. Several other coaches also played under Payton in New Orleans, including special teams assistant Chris Banjo, offensive line coach Zach Strief and offensive quality control coach Logan Kilgore.
The most notable former Saints players who now play for the Broncos are kicker Wil Lutz and tight end Adam Trautman, who are both scheduled to become free agents if they are not re-signed before March 13.
Here’s a quick list of all 22 ex-Saints who have joined Payton’s Broncos.
1
Mike Westhoff (assistant head coach)
2
Pete Carmichael (senior offensive assistant)
3
Joe Vitt (senior defensive assistant)
4
Joe Lombardi (offensive coordinator)
5
John Morton (pass game coordinator)
6
Michael Wilhoite (OLBs coach)
7
Jim Leonhard (DBs coach)
8
Declan Doyle (tight ends coach)
9
Chris Banjo (assistant special teams coach)
10
Logan Kilgore (offensive quality control coach)
11
Zach Strief (offensive line coach)
12
Dan Dalrymple (head strength and conditioning coach)
13
Cody Rager (V.P. of player personnel)
14
Beau Lowery (V.P. of player health and performance)
15
Dwayne Washington (running back, free agent)
16
Michael Burton (fullback, free agent)
17
Lil'Jordan Humphrey (wide receiver, free agent)
18
Adam Trautman (tight end, free agent)
19
Chris Manhertz (tight end)
20
Lucas Krull (tight end; did not play for Payton in NO)
21
Wil Lutz (kicker, free agent)
22
Jordan Jackson (defensive line; did not play for Payton in NO)
