Payton hires college assistant
Northwestern’s Ayemi in NFL rank for first time as Broncos’ RB coach
Sean Payton continued filling out his coaching staff Monday with another coach from the college ranks.
The Broncos head coach is hiring Northwestern running backs coach Lou Ayeni to coach the position in Denver, sources confirmed to The Post on Monday.
Ayeni, a former Northwestern running back himself, had been at his alma mater since 2018 and also served as the school’s recruiting coordinator. Before that, he spent four years at Iowa State and four years at Toledo in various coaching capacities. His coaching career started as a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2008 and this job with the Broncos will be his first foray into the NFL.
Ayeni is the 15th known coach and 19th known key addition to Payton’s staff. The Broncos announced 17 positions (13 coaches) over the weekend and are also set to hire Davis Webb as the franchise’s quarterbacks coach, though his position has not been formally announced.
Payton’s official offensive staff so far includes: Offensive coordinator Joe Lomardi, passing game coordinator John Morton, Ayeni, wide receivers coach Keary Colbert,
tight ends coach Declan Doyle and offensive line coach Zach Strief.
Still on Payton’s to-do list coaching staff wise: Finalizing Webb’s hire and filling out some assistant position coach spots.
Commanders release QB Wentz after one season
The Washington Commanders released Carson Wentz, an expected move that puts an end to the one-season experiment with the veteran quarterback that did not work out.
After giving up draft picks to
acquire him in a trade with Indianapolis last March, the Commanders were able to get out of the final two years of Wentz’s contract without any salary cap penalty.
Wentz threw for 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in eight games, going 2-5 as the starter sandwiched around a broken finger that sidelined him for several weeks.
Chargers promote Ansley to defensive coordinator
The Los Angeles Chargers have promoted Derrick
Ansley to defensive coordinator.
Ansley was the secondary coach on Brandon Staley’s staff the past two seasons.
He takes over for Renaldo Hill, who left to join Miami’s staff as pass-game coordinator. Staley is expected to remain the defensive play-caller though.
The Chargers also announced the additions of quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, linebackers coach Jeff Howard and defensive quality control assistant Robert Muschamp.
Ansley does have experience as a defensive coordinator. The Chargers were ranked eighth against the pass last season.