Sean Payton has a history of giving former players their first opportunities as coaches in the NFL.
Recent examples include Zach Strief , Michael Wilhoite and Davis Webb , who are now all on Denver's staff. Another example is Chris Banjo , who was hired by the Broncos earlier this month right after he retired from playing in the NFL.
Banjo, 33, played safety in the NFL from 2013-2022, spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars , Green Bay Packers , New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals . He played under Payton in New Orleans and under new Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in Arizona.
Banjo will serve as an assistant special teams coach in Denver, a fitting role given that he was a key special teams player with the Cardinals, Saints and Packers. Banjo played more than double his defensive snaps (948) on special teams (2,474) during his 10-year career in the NFL.
Banjo also appeared on defense, totaling 143 tackles and three interceptions as a rotational defensive back. He made a name for himself on special teams, though, and that's where he'll coach with the Broncos.
