New York Jets passing game specialist Greg Knapp was in critical condition after he was struck by a car while riding a bicycle Saturday in California. Knapp’s agent, Jeff Sperbeck, confirmed with Mike Klis of Denver’s 9News that Knapp was hospitalized with serious injuries and was in critical condition following the accident.
Thoughts are w/former Broncos QB coach/current Jets pass specialist Greg Knapp. Heard from several players/coaches and confirmed w/agent Jeff Sperbeck that coach Knapp is hospitalized in critical condition w/serious injuries from bicycle accident over weekend in Calif. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 20, 2021
Coach Knapp was riding his bicycle when struck by car. He was Broncos QB coach from 2013-16. Peyton set single-season passing records (55 TDs/5,477 yds) that still stand with Knapp in 2013. Knapp helped bring Trevor Siemian from 7th round to 18 TD/3401 yd passer in 2016. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 20, 2021
Update: Sperbeck announced Thursday that Knapp passed away:
Sperbeck on Knapp:
“where he will be reunited with his Dad.
“On Sat. July 17th Greg was struck by a car while riding his bicycle, and was rendered unconscious immediately. Greg never regained consciousness. He was surrounded by his mom, wife, 3 daughters and brother. #9sports— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 22, 2021
Knapp, 58, joined the Jets as a passing game specialist this offseason, and had been an assistant coach in the NFL going back to 1997 (when he was the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive quality control coach).
From 2018-2020, Knapp was the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons, and he held the same role with the Broncos in 2013-16 (including their 2015 Super Bowl championship season). His numerous assistant coaching roles have included being an offensive coordinator for four NFL teams: the 49ers (2001-2003), the Falcons (2004-2006), the then-Oakland Raiders (2007-2008, and 2012), and the Seattle Seahawks (2009).
Knapp was a quarterback at Sacramento State in the ’80s, before becoming an assistant coach — beginning his coaching career — at the school for several years in various roles. He also went to training camps as a player for the Kansas City Chiefs (1986), the then-Los Angeles Raiders (1987-1990), and the San Francisco 49ers (1992-1994), but he never made an active roster.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area tweeted that Knapp is “one of the absolute best people [Maiocco has] met in this line of work,” and that Knapp “was so excited” about the future of the Jets in a recent conversation.
Greg Knapp, a former 49ers and Raiders assistant, makes his offseason home in the East Bay. One of the absolute best people I’ve met in this line of work. Communicated with him recently, and he was so excited about future with Jets. Thinking of Greg and his family. https://t.co/wJlvc7o81S
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) July 20, 2021
This is horrible news, and our thoughts are with Knapp’s family.
