The interviews keep coming for Broncos assistant coaches.
The Los Angeles Chargers announced Wednesday that they conducted an interview with Broncos defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach Jim Leonhard for defensive coordinator. However, on Wednesday night the team announced it has hired Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary for the position.
Leonhard does remain in the mix to be Buffalo’s defensive coordinator.
Broncos offensive pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb remains a candidate for multiple jobs. He has had two interviews for the Las Vegas head position and Baltimore, Philadelphia and the New York Giants are looking to interview him for their offensive coordinator positions.
“Davis is a tremendous coach,’’ Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said Wednesday. “He understands the role of teaching, really knows how to communicate with his players. He’s helped me in two years consolidate, make things simple and just keep the main thing the main thing. … He’s an awesome coach. In whatever role he’s in, he’s going to do great things, whether it’s head coach, whether it’s (offensive coordinator), whether it’s continuing to be a quarterback coach and a developer.”
If Davis were to become head coach of the Raiders, an AFC West rival, Nix has a message for him.
“Say he was a head coach in the division, I’d enjoy beating his butt two times a year,’’ Nix said.
With head coach Sean Payton having fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi on Tuesday, two days after Denver’s 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC Championship Game, it remains to be seen if Webb could end up replacing him.
Payton to competition committee
The NFL announced that Payton and New England coach Mike Vrabel will return to the league’s competition committee.
Payton, who just completed his third season with the Broncos and his 18th overall as a head coach, previously served on the NFL’s rule-recommending body when he was with New Orleans. He was the Saints’ head coach from 2006-11 and 2013-21.
Meinerz, Bolles award finalists
Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz and tackle Garett Bolles are among six finalists for the NFL Protector of the Year Award.
Other offensive linemen in contention are Detroit tackle Penei Sewell, Chicago guard Joe Thuney, Kansas City center Creed Humphrey and Miami center Aaron Brewer.
The winner will be named at NFL Honors next Thursday in San Francisco, three days before Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
Sherfield returns to Patriots
The Patriots, who will face Seattle in the Super Bowl, re-signed wide receiver Trent Sherfield to the practice squad.
Sherfield played the first 10 games of the season for Denver. After being waived, he joined practice squads of Arizona and then New England. He was released by the Patriots on Saturday before being brought back.