Broncos assistant Michael Wilhoite arrested, booked on suspicion of second degree assault of a police officer

Broncos defensive assistant Michael Wilhoite has run into some trouble with the law, as he’s been booked in Denver on suspicion of second degree assault of a police officer, according to Mike Klis of KUSA.

“Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite has been booked in the Denver downtown jail on suspicion of second degree assault of a police officer, according to jail records,” Klis reported. “Wilhoite was booked Sunday and is scheduled to appear in Denver County court Monday morning.”

The Broncos are aware of the arrest, and they released a statement to Klis on the matter: “We are aware of a situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and are in the process of gathering more information,” the franchise told KUSA in Denver.

Wilhoite played in the NFL for a number of seasons before joining Sean Payton’s staff in Denver as their outside linebackers coach prior to the 2023 season. During his playing career, Wilhoite spent five seasons playing for the San Francisco 49ers from 2012-16, slotting in as an inside linebacker, and a sixth season for Seattle in 2017. Klis noted he started 45 games in his final four seasons.

His coaching career began when Payton hired him as as a special teams assistant for the New Orleans Saints in 2019, before he elevated to become a a defensive assistant in 2020. He also coached for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021-22 before heading to Denver when Payton returned to the NFL.

Klis added that 9NEWS reached out to Denver police for more information about the circumstances surrounding Wilhoite’s arrest, but they haven’t heard back at the moment.

Regardless, it’s not the news Michael Wilhoite or the Denver Broncos would like to have in the cycle at the start of the week, as the team goes through their offseason with the idea of becoming a perennial playoff contender in the coming seasons.