Sean Payton’s been fortunate enough to coach some fantastic players in his long coaching career, but there’s still some former players he would love to work with in Denver.
In his Super Bowl-winning tenure with the New Orleans Saints, Payton was fortunate enough to coach some amazing players, taking the likes of Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, and Marques Colston to new heights in Louisiana.
After a short break from coaching, he’s landed in Denver, and has already impressed in his short time there, molding a dynamic offense around playmaker Bo Nix and pairing it with the team’s suffocating defense to the tune of a playoff appearance in 2024.
As he looks to build on that in 2025, Payton has been looking to the past for improvements, and may even have a clone of the player he’s looking for sitting on his roster.
Speaking to Chase Daniel and Dianna Russini, Sean Payton was asked which of his former Saints players he’d bring over to Colorado. After initially teasing Jimmy Graham, Payton made the surprise choice of Darren Sproles.
“There was just something about…frickin’ Darren Sproles…” said Payton.
Sproles was a true dual-threat running back in his fourteen-year pro career, logging 23 rushing and 32 receiving touchdowns while also being a threat as a kick and punt returner. That led him to appear in three Pro Bowls, as well as being named an All-Pro at age 31, his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In many ways, he exemplified the era of running-back-by-committee, being used consistently as an outside-the-tackles threat and option in the passing game. While he only spent three years in New Orleans alongside Payton, he clearly left his mark.
Intriguingly, the Broncos may have found a similar player in this year’s draft, namely their second-round pick, RJ Harvey. He has been profiled by NFL Analysis before, but suffice it to say the former UCF product has everything Payton needs to draw comparisons with Sproles. Small and shifty as a runner, capable as a receiver, and yet physical enough not to be knocked out of the game, Harvey’s skillset should fit in wonderfully in the Denver backfield, especially with no clear starter at the key spot.
With almost 4000 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground in college, as well as some useful plays in the receiving game, the former quarterback recruit looks capable of being a gadget playmaker in the NFL.
Sproles may end up coaching his clone in Denver
Intriguingly, the connections may not end there. According to Payton, Sproles is joining him in Denver, but on a coaching fellowship:
Sproles had been serving as a personnel executive with the Philadelphia Eagles, but is clearly looking to transition to on-field coaching in the next few years. This seems like good news for Payton, as, if you want a Darren Sproles on your team, who better to work with him than…Darren Sproles?