Just two days after Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he would start evaluating what changes needed to be made in the offseason, he made his first move with his coaching staff.
Sources confirmed on Friday morning that Payton has fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. Kotwica was hired by Payton last year, along with Mike Westhoff, to manage the special teams unit. Westhoff, who had worked with Kotwica before with the New York Jets, retired earlier this year due to health concerns.
Special teams assistant Chris Banjo, who had played for Payton with the New Orleans Saints, will stay on the coaching staff.
The Broncos (10-8) led the league in punt returns this season with an average of 15.7 yards per return. Marvin Mims Jr. earned an All-Pro selection as a returner, and kicker Wil Lutz tied Jason Elam for the franchise’s single-season field goal record with 31 successful attempts.
However, in addition to Westhoff’s retirement, two major special teams mistakes stood out, especially in crucial AFC West losses, which overshadowed the Broncos’ special teams performance.
The first was a blocked field goal in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 10. The Broncos were trailing 16-14 with time running out when the Chiefs blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt by Lutz. The Chiefs had previously found a weakness in the Broncos’ line and overloaded the left side.
Several Kansas City defenders managed to push Alex Forsyth over, allowing linebacker Leo Chenal to block the kick, which ultimately preserved the Chiefs’ win at Arrowhead Stadium.
The day after the game, Payton addressed the mistake and said, “This isn’t on one player … this is on all of us. This is on us as coaches.” The Broncos made adjustments to their formation, swapping Forsyth with reserve tackle Matt Peart, and Lutz went on to make 41 of his next 42 field-goal and extra-point attempts. Lutz did miss a 50-yard field goal in the Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The second significant special teams error came in the Broncos’ December 19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Near the end of the first half, cornerback Tremon Smith was called for fair-catch interference after he bumped into Chargers punt returner Derius Davis.
As a result of the penalty, the Chargers were given a free kick, and Los Angeles kicker Cameron Dicker made a 57-yard field goal to end the half. The kick cut the Broncos’ lead to 21-13, and the Chargers gained momentum, eventually winning the game 34-27.
Kotwica, who served in the Army and flew helicopters during missions in Iraq, Bosnia, and Korea, has been an NFL coach for 17 seasons.
