ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Retirement, as it applies within the world of Sean Payton and those who inhabit it, is merely a temporary existence.
Payton “retired” as head coach of the New Orleans Saints after the 2021 season. After sitting out a year, he returned nearly two months ago to become head coach of the Denver Broncos.
One of his first Denver coaching staff hires was Mike Westhoff, who at the age of 75 ended a four-year retirement to become the Broncos’ assistant head coach with emphasis on special teams.
And now Payton is luring his longtime coaching assistant Joe Vitt out of retirement. Vitt, who last worked as a Jets’ linebackers coach for son-in-law Adam Gase in 2019-20, is expected to join the Broncos’ staff in a senior defensive capacity, a source told 9NEWS.
The Broncos have also hired Addison Lynch as a defensive quality control coach, according to a source. Lynch had previous worked as a defensive backs assistant coach with the Chargers, Raiders and Lions.
A source also confirmed the Broncos are hiring LSU coach Jamar Cain to become their pass-rush specialist. Cain coached Nik Bonitto at Oklahoma from 2020-'21. Bonitto was the Broncos' second-round draft pick last year and is heading into a pivotal second season.
Vitt, 68, is a special hire because of his experience. He began his NFL coaching career in 1979 with the Baltimore Colts. Not the Indianapolis Colts. The Baltimore Colts.
Vitt was part of Payton’s first staff with New Orleans in 2006 and stayed through the 2016 season as a linebackers and assistant head coach.
Vitt flew in to Denver on Friday afternoon to meet with Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph among others at Broncos headquarters. Vitt, Lynch and Cain are among the final pieces to Payton’s staff for the 2023 season with the possible exception of a few intern hires during the offseason and training camp.
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