In a swift move just two days after their season ended, the Denver Broncos have fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica, sources told ESPN. The decision comes on the heels of two high-profile special teams mistakes that proved costly in pivotal losses for the Broncos, who fell to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Head coach Sean Payton, in his first year at the helm in Denver, had said he would evaluate what changes needed to be made this offseason. Firing Kotwica is the first domino to fall, signaling that Payton will not hesitate to shake up his staff in an effort to get the Broncos over the hump in the AFC West.
A Season Undone by Special Teams Failures
While the Broncos boasted bright spots on special teams, leading the league in punt return average behind All-Pro returner Marvin Mims Jr. and seeing kicker Wil Lutz tie a franchise record with 31 field goals, it was a pair of backbreaking miscues that ultimately sealed Kotwica’s fate.
Blocked Kick Preserves Chiefs Win
The first gaffe came in a November 10th loss to the rival Kansas City Chiefs. With the game tied in the final seconds, the Chiefs exploited a weakness they had identified in the Broncos’ field goal protection, overloading the left side and blocking Lutz’s attempt to win it.
This isn’t on one player … this is on all of us. This is on us as coaches.
Sean Payton after the Chiefs loss
Although Payton spread the blame, the Broncos would adjust their formation the rest of the year, and Lutz barely missed again. But in a division as unforgiving as the AFC West, the damage was done.
Chargers Flip the Script with Halftime Kick
The other memorable special teams breakdown came in Denver’s December 19th loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. A mind-boggling fair catch interference penalty with one second left in the half gave the Chargers a free kick, which they drilled from 57 yards out.
The three points may not seem like much, but they gave LA crucial momentum heading into the locker room. The Chargers would go on to win 34-27, effectively ending the Broncos’ hopes of an AFC West title.
Kotwica Out as Payton Evaluates Staff
Those two letdowns, along with the retirement of respected special teams guru Mike Westhoff during the season, sealed Kotwica’s fate. The long-time coordinator and Army veteran departs after just one season in Denver.
It’s a forceful first move by Payton, who knows he needs to get more out of a talented but underachieving Broncos roster to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and the Other AFC contenders. With quarterback questions still looming, getting special teams in order is one way Payton can tighten up a team that too often beat itself in 2024.
What’s Next for the Broncos?
Payton assembled an experienced staff in his first year, but the results didn’t meet expectations. With Kotwica gone and both coordinators possibly on the hot seat, more change could be on the horizon at Dove Valley.
- Does Ejiro Evero remain as defensive coordinator?
- Will Payton bring in his own offensive staff?
- And who takes over for Kotwica on special teams?
Those are the key questions facing Payton and the Broncos brass as a critical 2025 offseason begins. The AFC West is only getting tougher, and Denver can ill afford to waste any more of Russell Wilson’s prime waiting to get over the hump.
Firing Kotwica is a strong first step by Payton to put his stamp on this team. But if the Broncos are to end their Super Bowl drought any time soon, the head coach knows it must be the first of many difficult decisions to fix what ailed Denver in a disappointing 2024 campaign.
