Michael Wilhoite, the current outside linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos, had a six-year NFL career as a player in the same position. Initially entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Washburn in 2011, Wilhoite played for the San Francisco 49ers for five seasons and the Seattle Seahawks for one season. Transitioning to coaching, Wilhoite joined the Broncos as his second coaching team, starting under head coach Sean Payton during their time with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 as a special teams assistant before moving to the defensive side in 2020.
Prior to his role with the Broncos, he also coached for two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. Wilhoite’s commitment to coaching development is evident as he is set to take part in the NFL’s Coach Accelerator Program in Nashville, Tennessee from May 20-22, aimed at enhancing diversity in the coaching ranks. Among 27 coaches selected, Wilhoite represents the Broncos in this initiative.
The NFL’s initiative aims to offer senior women and minority candidates opportunities for leadership development through sessions led by football operations experts and facilitators. Participants will also have the chance to network directly with club owners, all geared towards fostering a more diverse pool of candidates for future head coach and general manager roles across the League. Each NFL team has nominated promising individuals to take part in the two-day Accelerator program.
Alongside leadership training and insights into the business aspects of football, attendees will engage in open discussions on advancing their careers towards coaching or front office executive positions. This event marks the fifth occurrence of the program, which has been a fixture at the league’s spring and winter meetings since 2022. The recent Front Office & General Manager Accelerator was held from December 11-13 in Dallas, Texas, showcasing the NFL’s commitment to developing and promoting diverse talent within its ranks.
The Denver Broncos made a roster move on May 13 by releasing undrafted rookie free agent punter Nik Constantinou. Shortly after, on May 15, they bolstered their punting competition by signing Trenton Gill, a former punter for the Chicago Bears, in free agency. Gill, aged 25, was a seventh-round draft pick for the Bears in 2002 and punted for the team for two seasons before being released following the Bears’ selection of Tory Taylor, a former Iowa punter, in the 2024 draft. According to a report by 9 News’ Mike Klis, the decision to bring in Gill stems from a desire to add competition for incumbent punter Riley Dixon, who faced consistency issues in the 2023 season.
While Dixon ranked 23rd in gross punting with a 46.3-yard average and 14th in net punting with a 42.3-yard average, Gill ranked 25th in gross punting at 46.1 yards and 32nd in net punting at 38.0 yards. Stathead data reveals that Gill ranks 12th among 14 players with over 100 punts in the last two seasons, while Dixon holds the eighth spot with a 1.2-yard higher average than Gill in the same subset of players. Gill’s addition is expected to provide competition, keep Dixon sharp, and contribute to practice sessions leading up to the season.
To make space for the signing of punter Trenton Gill, the Denver Broncos released undrafted free agent safety Cam Allen. Allen had an impressive five-year career at Purdue, finishing with 203 total tackles, including 8 tackles for loss, 13 interceptions, 18 pass deflections, and 4 forced fumbles. His ability to make plays on the ball was a standout trait. Despite being cut, Allen’s performance at Purdue could earn him another opportunity with the Broncos or another team during training camp.
The Broncos are unlikely to keep two punters on the roster for the regular season or even preseason, barring an injury to Riley Dixon. Cornerback is a position that is vulnerable to attrition, and teams often utilize nickel and dime packages, requiring more defensive backs on the field. Allen‘s release could be a strategic move to address other areas of need, but his potential and skills may warrant a second look
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