ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Former Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, who was a member of the team's Super Bowl 50 championship team, has died after sustaining injuries in a bicycling accident on Saturday.
Knapp, who was working as a pass-game specialist with the Jets since January of 2021, was 58.
"The Denver Broncos are heartbroken by the sudden, tragic passing of Greg Knapp, who was an outstanding coach and an even better person," the Broncos said in a statement. "In his four years as our quarterbacks coach, Greg was an instrumental part of two Super Bowl appearances and our championship run in 2015. The job he did coaching quarterbacks during our Super Bowl 50 season was masterful. He navigated a unique situation with poise and instincts, keeping us on track with his even-keeled demeanor, exceptional teaching ability and caring nature. From all-time greats like Peyton Manning to young players just starting their careers, Greg was a trusted confidant and the very definition of a 'quarterback whisperer.' More importantly, the connections and friendships he forged with players, coaches and staff — as well as their families — were genuine and special. We will all remember Knapper for his kindness, humor and fun-loving approach to life. Our organization extends its deepest condolences to Greg's wife, Charlotte; his daughters Jordan, Natalie, and Camille; and the entire Knapp family."
A California native and former Sacramento State quarterback, Knapp worked in the NFL for 26 seasons as an offensive coach for seven different teams, including four seasons with the Broncos as a quarterbacks coach.
The son of two teachers, coaching was simply a natural fit for Knapp to follow in their footsteps, but on the football field.
"Both my parents were teachers, so you got raised that you have to constantly learn, otherwise you fall behind," Knapp said in 2016. "… My parents taught me to always learn from others — whether teaching them or coaching them — and then apply those lessons you learned to the next guy you're working with. That's helped me in my guidance as a coach."
In turn, Knapp helped guide a number of quarterbacks in the NFL, beginning with Steve Young.
"I started my career coaching Steve, who was one of the most cerebral quarterbacks that played the game at the time at that point, and the schemes weren't quite as complex on defense then as they are now," Knapp said in 2014. "But it helped give me a foundation to know, OK, I have to bring my A-game, so to speak, to the office every day. The quarterback position is unique of any other one because they know there's a lot of pressure on them to succeed so they will prepare more than most to have success."
In his first year as Young's QB coach after three seasons as the 49ers' offensive quality control coach, the future Hall of Famer earned a Pro Bowl selection at 37 years old. Young threw for 36 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and 4,170 yards as the 49ers went 12-4.
"My first job in the NFL was to become Steve Young's coach, and that was very fortunate for me, because he gave me a lot of input on how important it is to coach an experienced quarterback," Knapp said in 2015. "He does not want another guy to pat him on the back and say, 'Hey, that's a great job,' or if you had a mistake, 'Hey, that's going to be OK.' The great ones want to be coached. They want to be coached hard and they want to be given a lot of information and instructed the right way to do things."
Though Young would retire after the next year, Knapp's career was just ascending. He soon was promoted to offensive coordinator and then bounced around to other teams as a coordinator in the decade that followed.
Over all that time with the 49ers, Falcons, Raiders, Seahawks and Texans, Knapp maintained an intellectual curiosity and flexibility that allowed him to grow as teacher and find success in different ways.
"I constantly learned from different players on how to maybe teach them a certain way or how to help educate a guy, or play the game or read a defense or work footwork and mechanics," Knapp said in 2016. "I've had quite a diverse combination. I've had the athletes in Jeff Garcia and Michael Vick — the mobile quarterbacks. I've had big guys like JaMarcus Russell, Matt Schaub. And then I've had the thinking quarterbacks in Peyton [Manning] and Steve Young. I know there's a different way to teach guys and a different way that guys learn."
Look back through former quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp's time with the Broncos in photos.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, back, offers advice to starting quarterback Peyton Manning during a morning session at the team's NFL training camp in Englewood, Colo., on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Peyton Manning with the Sportsman of the Year trophy and Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp during the Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award Ceremony held in the locker room at Sports Authority Field December 16, 2013.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp during pre game warmups prior to action against the New England Patriots in the NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough , MA November 2, 2014.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp runs the stairs for some exercise before the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at O.Co Coliseum in Oakland,CA November 9, 2014.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp chat during pre game warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO January 11, 2015.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, left, confers with starting quarterback Peyton Manning during the team's NFL football training camp Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp at Denver Broncos training camp August 2, 2015 at the UCHealth Training Center in Englewood,CO.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) speaks with quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp during an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 22, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Denver won 14-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp calls out to players during third quarter action against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO September 3, 2015.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks unit gather for a photo prior to kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO August 29, 2015.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp during first quarter action against the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, September 13, 2015. Photo by Ben Hays.
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp congratulates Peyton Manning (18) after Denver scored on a 12 play drive during second quarter action against the Detroit Lions in the NFL game at Ford Field in Detroit, MI September 27, 2015. (Photo: © Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp congratulates Peyton Manning (18) after Denver scored on a 12 play drive during second quarter action against the Detroit Lions in the NFL game at Ford Field in Detroit, MI September 27, 2015. (Photo: © Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp talks with quarterback Peyton Manning before their NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) talks with quarterback coach Greg Knapp during first quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, October 4, 2015. Photo by Ben Hays.
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp during pre game warmups prior to the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN November 8, 2015. (© Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator Greg Knapp looks on from the sidelines during the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Denver. The Broncos won 20-18. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) talks with quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp during first quarter action against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, January 24, 2016. Photo by Ben Hays.
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp congratulates Peyton Manning (18) as time expires as Denver defeats the New England Patriots 201-18 in the NFL AFC Conference Championship playoff game at Denver, Colo. January 24, 2016. (© Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Quarterbacks Coach Greg Knapp takes a group photo with his position group — Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler and Trevor Siemian — after the Denver Broncos walkthrough in the stadium at Super Bowl 50 at Santa Clara, Calif. on February 6, 2016 (Photo by Eric Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos quarterback's coach Greg Knapp celebrates a touchdown in action against the Carolina Panthers Sunday February 7, 2015 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., site of Super Bowl 50. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is congratulated by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and Tyler Polumbus (76) as he walks to the sidelines in the closing minutes of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers, 24-10. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp celebrate their the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Quarterbacks Coach Greg Knapp takes a selfie with the Super Bowl 50 Lomardi Trophy during the team's flight by to Denver on February 8, 2016. (Photo by Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator Greg Knapp speaks to his quarterbacks at a June 1, 2016 OTA practice. (Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp and Wade Phillips during pregame warmup prior to action against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colo. August 20, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp gestures to the clock during fourth quarter action against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colo. August 20, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp throws a pass during pregame warmups before the 2016 NFL week 1 regular season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Denver. The Broncos won the game 21-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) is congratulated by quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp postgame in the locker room after Denver defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 29-17 in the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio. September 25, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp chat postgame in the locker room after Denver defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 29-17 in the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio. September 25, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp prior to kick off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Fl. October 2, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp hugs Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) during post game action against the Houston Texans during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 24, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Quarterbacks Coach Greg Knapp looks over the practice schedule at Denver Broncos practice December 7, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterback coach Greg Knapp with NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton prior to the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. December 25, 2016.
Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak with quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp during pregame warmups prior to kickoff against the Oakland Raiders in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colo. January 1, 2017.
Eventually, Knapp found his way to Denver, where he became the team's quarterbacks coach in 2013, a year after Manning arrived as a free agent.
Knapp's first year with Manning helped create the most productive season by a passer in league history, as Manning won league MVP honors and set single-season records with 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes.
Beginning that year, Knapp and Manning shaped a bond that would help bring Denver a third Lombardi Trophy.
"[It's] very exciting, but also challenging," Knapp said in 2014 of coaching Manning. "It's a double-edged sword because you certainly enjoy that opportunity to work with a very, very great player, but you also have to rise to the challenge to know that he's going to demand a lot because he's on top of his game and it makes a for a very exciting job for me. I love that."
Knapp was able to do just that, and in the process, he helped Manning raise his game to astounding levels.
"The challenge, obviously, is to stay up with an 18-year vet and it's really been a neat relationship for Peyton and I, because I think I've been able to help him," Knapp said in 2015. "The great ones always try to improve and being able to help him try to improve his game from a mechanical standpoint, footwork or what have you. At the same time, he's taught me a lot of stuff, mentally, on how he sees a defense and how he tries to pick apart a defense."
In successive seasons, the Broncos' offense changed as Manning entered the final years of his career. Even though Denver's passing attack wasn't as potent in 2015, Manning's last season, it packed enough punch to help get the Broncos to a championship.
With that Super Bowl 50 victory, Knapp finally reached the career pinnacle that he'd been chasing for more than two decades.
"It meant the world," Knapp said in 2016. "I'm glad it happened to me later in my career and not early in my coaching career, because there's such a deeper appreciation. You think about all the sacrifices not only you make to try to get that ultimate goal, but the people around you, whether it's your wife, daughter, family members. A lot of sacrifices are made for the time that you dedicate as a coach. So to get that Super Bowl victory after my 21st season, it had a lot of deeper meaning and it really is the pinnacle of the business. It's so hard to get, and there's so many great players and coaches that never get it. It makes you that much more appreciative, so when you do, you cherish it."
After the 2015 season, Knapp coached the Broncos' quarterbacks for one more year — helping former seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian throw for 3,401 yards and 18 touchdowns — before working with the Falcons again from 2018-20 and the Jets in 2021.
Knapp is survived by his wife, Charlotte, and three daughters, Jordan, Natalie and Camille.
