Sean Payton unveils secret plan to develop a star tight end for Bo Nix and the Broncos

Sean Payton is an offensive mastermind who proved his value with the New Orleans Saints. Now, he faces the task of developing a star tight end for Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos—and he’s working on a key plan to make it happen.

The tight end position has given the Broncos trouble in recent years. Their greatest legend at the position remains Shannon Sharpe, who holds the franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end with 8,340.

Unfortunately, the AFC West team has struggled to find a worthy successor to Sharpe. However, Sean Payton is aiming to change that by developing a player who could become a star if everything goes according to plan.

Sean Payton aims to develop star tight end to help Bo Nix, Broncos

For many NFL teams, finding a reliable tight end is no easy task. It’s a uniquely demanding position—tight ends must be capable of both receiving and blocking, requiring a blend of athleticism and toughness that’s rare to find.

Throughout NFL history, elite tight ends have stood out, and as mentioned earlier, Shannon Sharpe was one of the best during his time in Denver. Since then, the Broncos have lacked a consistent star at the position.

With Sean Payton at the helm, that could soon change. Known for his offensive acumen, Payton built a potent attack in New Orleans—and a big part of that success came from his ability to identify and develop a premier tight end.

In 2010, Payton famously drafted Jimmy Graham, who had only one year of college football experience but stood out due to his background as a basketball player. Graham went on to become one of the most dominant tight ends of his era.

Now, Payton is trying a similar approach. In the 2025 NFL Draft, he selected Caleb Lohner—a player with just 57 college football snaps under his belt. However, Lohner’s basketball background and physical potential have convinced Payton that he could be the next breakout tight end in Denver. “If it turns out like the last one did (Jimmy Graham), then we’d be real excited,” Payton said, via DenverBroncos.com.

Is Caleb Lohner going to be the Broncos’ starter in 2025?

While Sean Payton is committed to developing Caleb Lohner, he also added another tight end this offseason. The AFC West team signed Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million contract after he was released by the Jaguars earlier this year.

Engram is expected to be the Broncos’ starting tight end for the 2025 NFL season. However, Payton believes Lohner can become a reliable backup and provide valuable depth at the position, reducing the team’s dependence on the former Jacksonville standout.