Michael Wilhoite‘s recent arrest will lead to his dismissal. The Broncos fired their two-year outside linebackers coach, 9News’ Mike Klis reports. A former NFL linebacker, Wilhoite had also been on the Saints’ staff under Sean Payton.

The team announced the firing, which comes after an arrest for suspicion of second-degree assault in connection with an incident at the Denver International Airport. Wilhoite is alleged to have punched an airport officer during a dispute about a parking infraction.

“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways,” Payton said. “We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time. I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”

A Denver police officer working on assignment told Wilhoite he could not leave his car unattended at a departure terminal. After allegedly cursing at the officer, Wilhoite bumped his chest into him. After the officer is alleged to have pushed Wilhoite, the former linebacker is accused of punching him in the face. The officer then used his taser, but Wilhoite still drove off before being apprehended soon after. He was released on bail, but his coaching future is now uncertain.

Becoming a six-year contributor out of Division II Washburn, Wilhoite played for the 49ers and Seahawks during his career. He started 45 games and saw action as a backup in six playoff contests — including Super Bowl XLVII with the 49ers — during the 2010s. Before resigning his Saints HC post in 2022, Payton interviewed Wilhoite for the team’s DC job. Wilhoite, 38, had been a Saints staffer for three seasons prior to that meeting; he rejoined Payton after staying on under Dennis Allen in 2022.

As the Broncos search for a new OLBs coach, they made some other changes on staff. They gave QBs coach Davis Webb a title bump, adding pass-game coordinator to his duties. Secondary coach Jim Leonhard is now the team’s defensive pass-game coordinator. Both figure to be coordinator candidates moving forward; for now, they will stay in their position coach roles. Addison Lynch is moving from the quality control level to cornerbacks coach, while Payton is elevating another QC assistant (Isaac Shewmaker) to linebackers coach. The latter will replace Greg Manusky.

Former Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan is also joining the team as assistant O-line coach. Set to work under Zach Strief, Morgan returns to Colorado more than two decades after a career with the Buffaloes. Morgan has been in the NFL since 2009. After six seasons with the Falcons as their O-line coach (2015-20), he spent a year with the Steelers before joining the Bears’ staff. Ben Johnson moved in a different direction upon taking over. Previous assistant O-line coach Austin King is sliding over to tight ends coach to replace Declan Doyle, who made a leap at 28 to be Johnson’s OC in Chicago.

The Broncos are also adding one of their former linebackers, Todd Davis, to their staff. A former backup for Denver’s Super Bowl 50 team and then a starter later in the 2010s, Davis is joining Payton’s staff as a defensive quality control assistant.

Having made a transition to the media side, Davis has both a history with the Broncos and Payton. A 2014 Saints UDFA, Davis joined the Broncos later that year. Backing up Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall in 2015, Davis replaced the former (after a Bears free agency defection) and started four seasons for the Broncos. The 69-game Denver starter landed a three-year, $15MM re-up with the team in 2018.