One day, former offensive tackle Terron Armstead is retiring from the NFL. The next, he gets a new job.
The five-time Pro Bowl selection appeared on the “Up & Adams Show” to reveal that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton called him and offered him a position on his coaching staff.
Sean Payton Moves Fast To Add Some Talent to His Coaching Staff
“He called me yesterday and he asked me to work with him, or for him, in whatever capacity. So we have to have another conversation,” Armstead said.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton wants 5x Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead to join the staff 👀@heykayadams | @T_Armstead72 pic.twitter.com/I9ip5X9s6I
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 9, 2025
The move makes sense considering Armstead’s history with Payton. Armstead played eight years in New Orleans where Payton was his head coach. He was drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft and went on to garner two second-team All-Pro selections before leaving in free agency. He spent the last three years with the Dolphins.
While Armstead’s position on Denver’s staff is still to be determined, it’s safe to assume he’ll be charged with working with the offensive line. And what a line he will get to work with. The Broncos were a top unit in 2024, blowing only 120 blocks over the regular season.
The hits keep coming with this group that’s led by offensive line coach Zach Grief. They allowed the third-fewest sacks in the league, allowing one on only 0.23% of total plays. They got flagged for 14 holding penalties, which is below the league average of 2.51 per team per game. And according to Pro Football and Sports Network’s Ben Rolfe, their line is the best in the NFL.
Left tackle Garett Bolles is under contract through 2028, and though he has yet to make a Pro Bowl, he was named second-team All Pro in 2020. He’s rates fourth among OTs by Pro Football Focus and seventh in ESPN’s pass-block win rate rankings at 93%. His counterpart at right tackle is no slouch himself. Mike McGlinchey ranks sixth in ESPN’s PBWR at 94%.
The interior of the line is stellar. Center Luke Wattenberg ranks second in PBWR with 98% and the guards who flank him, Quinn Meinerz (97%) and Ben Powers (96%), all fall within the top five. No wonder Bo Nix was able to have such a fantastic rookie year.
Now, with all five starters on the line under contract and Armstead presumably being brought in to help out, his main task may be more centered on fine-tuning each player’s skills rather than coaxing drastic improvement from them.