Sean Payton has never been the type to sit back and hope things fall into place. He’s a builder, a fixer—someone who knows that championship teams aren’t formed by accident. His efforts saw the Broncos claw their way back to relevance behind rookie QB Bo Nix. They had been jinxed since their Super Bowl win in 2015, failing to even qualify for the playoffs. This time, they managed to make it to the wild card, only to get steamrolled 7-31 by the Bills. Payton wasn’t about to let complacency set in. If Denver is going to be a true contender, it needs reinforcements.

That’s why the Broncos have been on the hunt this offseason, not just for impact players but for the right minds to elevate the team. They already brought in former Saints HC Darren Rizzi to revamp special teams, but Payton needed a right-hand man. Enter Marwan Maalouf—a coach with years of experience and, more importantly, a long history of working alongside Rizzi. Now, Denver’s special teams unit is getting a serious makeover, and that’s just the beginning.

His first coaching stint in the league was with the Browns from 2004 to 2006 as their special teams’ quality control coach. After a break of 1 year, he joined the Ravens as assistant special teams coach in 2008 and remained there till 2011. The 2012 season followed it as the Colts’ special team coordinator.

In 2013, he joined forces with Darren Rizzi at the Dolphins as the assistant special teams coach. That would definitely help Sean Payton & co. He made a franchise record with 3 blocked punts in 2014. Under his training, the Phins’ special teams unit often ranked among the top-tier teams in the league.

Maalouf also served as special teams coordinator from 2019 to 2020 for the Vikings. But as Darren Rizzi became the Saints HC, Maalouf couldn’t find any further team in the NFL post-2020. In the middle of last season, Rizzi called him up to join as an assistant at the Saints and he agreed. Now he is joining the Broncos.

While the HC is improving his staff, the locker room might also get a new player from their divisional rivals. Kansas City Chiefs!

Sean Payton might get a new linebacker

Pro Football Network ranked the Broncos’ defense number 1 in the league. But it fell apart in the wild-card round against the Bills. So, they knew something was off. According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, “Bolton would be a big upgrade for Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver. Bolton fits with the Broncos as a downhill thumper against the run. In coverage, Bolton lacks elite second-level range, but he has four career interceptions.”

The real question is, will Andy Reid give away their linebacker to the Mile High Stadium? In four years as the Chiefs LB, Nick Bolton has played 57 games (53 starter), he has 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 5 sacks, 458 tackles (289 solo), and 17 QB Hits. The 24-year-old also has plenty of scope and hope for progress in his career.

Sean Payton wants to take the team to a championship. And he is leaving no stone unturned to find the best players. Will he succeed in his mission?