Sean Payton is on the verge of bringing in another familiar face to the Broncos’ coaching staff.
Denver is working toward adding former Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. as a senior offensive assistant, a source confirmed with The Denver Post. A deal has not been finalized, but itap moving in that way.
Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland spoke with New Orleans reporters at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama and acknowledged the expected move.
“Pete’s an unbelievable person, an unbelievable coach and we’re going to miss him,” Ireland said. “He’s meant a lot to me just in terms of how we see things eye-to-eye. He had a really clear vision for what he was looking for. I wish him well. I’m not surprised Sean brought him over. That tandem was obviously good for a long, long time. Wish him the best, obviously.”
Payton and Carmichael have a long history. The 52-year-old assistant was the quarterbacks coach during Payton’s first season with the Saints in 2006. In 2009, Carmichael was promoted to offensive coordinator — the same year New Orleans captured the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
Even though Carmichael was the offensive coordinator, Payton remained the primary play-caller until his departure after the 2021 season.
Carmichael maintained his role under head coach Dennis Allen for the past two seasons. Allen announced earlier this month that Carmichael would not return after the Saints finished 14th in total offense and ninth in scoring.
The Saints were top-10 in scoring in 14 of Carmichael’s 18 seasons with the team.
On Monday, a source told The Post that the Broncos are hiring New Orleans assistant director of college scouting Cody Rager to a newly created vice president of player personnel position.
Rager spent seven years scouting players for Payton in New Orleans and will report to general manager George Paton, who runs the Broncos’ personnel department.
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