Some coaching trees are stumps. But Sean Payton‘s features multiple branches that continue to grow this offseason.

Coach Dan Campbell worked for Payton with the Saints before engineering the Detroit Lions’ revival. Their relationship has helped lead to multiple transactions recently.

In searching for a replacement for Ben Johnson, Campbell plucked Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton to lead the Lions offense, making him the coordinator on Tuesday, a source confirmed.

Morton worked for Campbell in 2022 with the Lions and helped the Broncos offense improve the past two years under Payton, which included the blossoming of rookie quarterback Bo Nix in 2024.

When Johnson took over as the Bears coach last week, he, too, looked to the Broncos. Perhaps it was because of a suggestion from Campbell or just coincidence. But he made Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle his new OC.

Johnson will call the plays, but Doyle will be counted on to help quarterback Caleb Williams improve in his sophomore season. Bills offensive boss Joe Brady also worked with Payton in New Orleans, and began getting head coaching interviews in the latest hiring cycle.

The Broncos have had multiple assistants and executives interview for jobs this offseason, including defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, special teams assistant Chris Banjo and senior personnel executive David Shaw.

Defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, a former NFL player and college defensive coordinator, received interest from teams, but is remaining with the Broncos.

There are currently four vacancies on the Broncos staff after the team parted ways with linebackers coach Greg Manusky on Tuesday, according to a source. Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica was let go right after the season.