The Denver Broncos parted ways with a coach just days after their season ended.
The team suffered a crushing 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round on Sunday. Despite starting strong with a 7-0 lead and nearly tying the game at 10 before halftime, a missed 50-yard field goal by kicker Will Lutz—his only attempt—marked a turning point. Buffalo capitalized by scoring 31 unanswered points, and the miss may have foreshadowed changes for Denver’s special teams.
By Friday, reports confirmed the Broncos had fired special teams coach Ben Kotwica.
While Denver’s special teams performed well overall this season, they had notable errors, including a blocked 35-yard field goal that led to a narrow 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. Despite a solid 10-7 season record, the missed opportunities and high-profile mistakes likely contributed to the decision.Ben Kotwica is expected to find another role in the league, given his track record. Meanwhile, Darren Rizzi, the former interim head coach for the Saints, has already emerged as a potential candidate to fill the vacancy.
