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Broncos, Other Teams Interested In Darren Rizzi For ST Coordinator

January 21st, 2025 at 12:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

Darren Rizzi does not appear to be on track to land one of the remaining head coaching positions in this year’s hiring cycle. The Saints’ special teams coordinator is nevertheless an in-demand staffer at the moment.

In the wake of the Bears reaching an agreement with Ben Johnson to become their next head coach, it was learned Rizzi is on the team’s radar. He is a candidate to serve as Chicago’s special teams coordinator moving forward, something which would displace incumbent Richard Hightower. The Bears could have competition for Rizzi’s services, though.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune notes the Broncos are attempting to hire Rizzi for their own special teams coordinator position. Denver moved on from Ben Kotwica last week after he spent two seasons in that role. Head coach Sean Payton has been in place with the Broncos since the start of the 2023 campaign, but in that time he has made several moves aimed to reuniting with players and coaches from his time with the Saints. As a result, Rizzi was named as a candidate to watch closely once Kotwica was dismissed.

Biggs adds that two other teams also “believed to be in the mix” for Rizzi. The 54-year-old took over as New Orleans’ interim head coach after Dennis Allen was fired. The two could reunite in Chicago (in the event Allen were to take over as defensive coordinator), but Rizzi is still in contention for the Saints’ head coaching position. Lions DC Aaron Glenn has a second HC interview lined up, although he appears to be on track to take charge of the Jets if things go according to plan. Provided that turns out to be the case, Rizzi will still be in the running for New Orleans as well as outside ST coordinator gigs.

According to Biggs, it is unclear at this point how likely it is that Rizzi could come to Chicago. For the time being, Hightower remains in place and Biggs notes he could be retained as part of Johnson’s initial Bears staff. The team showed improvement in the third phase down the stretch that year, and it will be interesting to see if Johnson opts for continuity for 2025.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

January 19th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Two weekends of playoff football have come and gone, providing us with 10 more draft slots cemented into position as NFL teams continue to be eliminated from the playoffs. The top 18 picks were already divvied up at the conclusion of the regular season to the teams who failed to make the playoffs, while picks 19-28 have been determined over the past two weeks.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order has been determined by the inverted 2024 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. The playoff squads are being slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular-season record.

The league’s Super Wild Card weekend resulted in the elimination of Chargers, Steelers, Broncos, Packers, Buccaneers, and Vikings after their respective losses. Tampa Bay benefitted from the three-way tie in record with Denver and Pittsburgh, just as the Chargers did over the Packers.

The divisional round of the playoffs resulted in the elimination of the Texans, Rams, Ravens, and Lions. This time, Houston held the tiebreaker over Los Angeles, gifting it higher draft priority.

We are still at a place that, for the first time since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, there is a chance that every team drafts in the first round, as no first-round picks have yet been traded. It’s extremely unlikely that this will remain the case, as draft-day trades are a very common occurrence, but it’s still an interesting concept to note this close to the draft.

Here is how the draft order looks following two weeks of playoff football:

  1. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
  2. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
  3. New York Giants (3-14)
  4. New England Patriots (4-13)
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
  6. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)
  7. New York Jets (5-12)
  8. Carolina Panthers (5-12)
  9. New Orleans Saints (5-12)
  10. Chicago Bears (5-12)
  11. San Francisco (6-11)
  12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
  13. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
  14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
  15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
  16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
  17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
  18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
  20. Denver Broncos (10-7)
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
  22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
  23. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
  24. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
  25. Houston Texans (10-7)
  26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
  27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
  28. Detroit Lions (15-2)
  29. Washington Commanders (12-5)
  30. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
  31. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
  32. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

Broncos Fire ST Coordinator Ben Kotwica

January 17th, 2025 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos are the latest team to make a coordinator change. After two seasons in Denver, Ben Kotwica has been fired, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

Kotwica was among the first hires made by head coach Sean Payton once he took the Broncos’ head coaching position. The move added to Kotwica’s lengthy NFL coaching resume; he has served as a special teams coordinator with the Jets in addition to time in Washington and Atlanta in that capacity. Despite a lack of previous experience working with Payton, Kotwica took charge of the third phase units in Denver after one season as an assistant ST coach with the Vikings.

The 50-year-old oversaw a unit which included Marvin Mims earning first-team All-Pro acclaim as a punt returner this year. In the Broncos’ wild-card loss to the Bills this weekend, the team successfully converted a fourth-and-eight by means of a fake punt. Those individual successes were weighed against shortcomings like Denver’s Week 10 loss to Kansas City, during which a would-be game-winning field goal attempt was blocked.

Given Kotwica’s experience, it would not come as a surprise if he were to land another opportunity in the near future. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how Payton proceeds with filling this vacancy. As Underdog Fantasy’s James Palmer notes, the timing of this dismissal could be an indication Payton already has a specific target in mind with respect to a replacement.

Of course, the former Saints Super Bowl winner has brought in a number of familiar faces on the field and the sidelines since his arrival in Denver. For that reason, Darren Rizzi‘s name has been mentioned as one to watch. Rizzi took over as New Orleans’ interim head coach midway through the season after Dennis Allen was fired. He hopes to land the full-time gig with the Saints and has interviewed with the team. Rizzi has also met with the Jets about their vacancy, and it remains to be seen if he will receive the opportunity to lead a staff in 2025. If not, taking charge of Denver’s special teams could be on the table.

Broncos To Pursue RB, LB Upgrades

January 16th, 2025 at 9:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Having reached extension agreements to keep a few key players away from free agency, the Broncos do not have too many starters close to hitting the market. A few are, however, and the 31-7 wild-card loss to the Bills revealed a sizable gap between the Broncos’ current standing and the AFC’s formidable top tier.

Acquiring more help for Bo Nix will be on the team’s radar. It would stand to reason wide receiver will be considered, as Courtland Sutton will turn 30 during a 2025 contract year, and tight end improvements will be on the radar after Greg Dulcich disappointed to the point he was waived in-season. A clear-cut upgrade area on offense looks to be running back, however.

[RELATED: Nik Bonitto On Broncos’ Extension Radar]

Sean Payton said the Broncos need help at the position, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Although free agent-to-be Javonte Williams is interested in staying, Denver has not seen the 2021 second-round pick come too close to resembling his rookie-year version — before ACL and LCL tears sidetracked his career. The team also has change-of-pace back Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round rookie Audric Estime set to return, but it should be expected another starter-caliber back will be added in free agency and/or the draft.

While Payton indicated (via Underdog Fantasy’s James Palmer) the team will still use a two-RB approach, Williams leading the 2024 Denver edition with 513 yards represented an underwhelming effort that impacted the team’s offense. Nix’s 430 yards played a key role in the Broncos’ somewhat deceiving 16th-place rushing ranking. The RB market will not be as fruitful as it was in 2024, however, with the likes of Chuba Hubbard, Rhamondre Stevenson and James Conner signing extensions.

Payton’s Saints offenses regularly featured multipurpose threats — Reggie Bush, Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara being the most notable examples — and Aaron Jones would fit the bill as a potential option, though the 2024 Vikings starter turned 30 last month. Najee Harris profiles as a more traditional back and may be the top UFA option due to the aforementioned extensions. Rico Dowdle broke through for a 1,079-yard rushing season in Dallas and should have a much better market compared to his 2024 status.

Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, who nearly broke Barry Sanders‘ Division I-FBS rushing yardage record (with 2,601) will be the top RB available in the draft after declaring last week. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. ranks Jeanty as the 2025 class’ fourth-best prospect, while assigning Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) and Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) second-round grades in what is viewed as a better class compared to 2024. Jeanty might be out of the Broncos’ reach, pointing to a potential Day 2 selection being in play to boost this position group.

Elsewhere on the Broncos’ roster, three-down linebacker Cody Barton is a looming free agent who has shown interest in coming back. But the the team is expected to target an upgrade at that position as well, 9News’ Mike Klis adds. Entering a contract year, Alex Singleton suffered an ACL tear in Week 2 and is now 31. The team also has replacement Justin Strnad — a player who went from 2022-23 without playing a snap on defense — due for free agency. Denver lost Josey Jewell to Carolina last year, but with Russell Wilson‘s contract still set to bring $30MM-plus in 2025 dead money, the team might continue to be cautious in spending at this position.

GM George Paton (via Tomasson) alluded to a measured approach in free agency, though he pointed to a projected $52MM in cap space as a reminder the team can chase some roster augmentations after a cautious 2024 free agency period — thanks to Wilson’s whopping $53MM cap penalty. Paton said (via Tomasson) the Broncos’ intent to use more young players in 2024 led to the team taking on the larger portion of Wilson’s record-shattering dead money bill in 2024. The contract will be off the books in 2026.

2025 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker

January 15th, 2025 at 11:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy splitting up, seven teams have made coaching changes so far during this year’s cycle. Here are the candidates connected to each of the HC-needy franchises. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-11-25 (11:40am CT)

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/15/25

January 15th, 2025 at 9:09pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s reserve/futures deals around the NFL:

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Broncos Interested In Nik Bonitto Extension

January 15th, 2025 at 2:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

At this time last year, George Paton expressed interest in a Patrick Surtain extension. Although it took several months, the Broncos finalized a contract with their top player. They hammered out a few more extensions in the process, including one for soon-to-be first-team All-Pro Quinn Meinerz.

The Broncos paid their right guard before his true breakthrough; they will not have that advantage with Nik Bonitto, who turned the corner as a pass rusher before becoming extension-eligible. The 2022 second-round pick stormed to a second-team All-Pro honor, registering 13.5 sacks — the Broncos’ most since Von Miller‘s 2018 season — and scoring two defensive touchdowns. As we discussed in December, Bonitto’s extension price spiked after his 2024 performance.

As could be expected, the Broncos are interested in keeping their top edge rusher around beyond his 2025 contract year. Paton confirmed (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) the team wants to keep him around long term, but no talks have begun yet. The Oklahoma product has only been eligible for a new deal for a week. The Broncos will hold exclusive negotiating rights with Bonitto until March 2026.

Bonitto will be an interesting extension candidate, as the Broncos paid their other OLB starter — former seventh-round pick Jonathon Cooper — on a team-friendly deal that checked in at less than $14MM per year. In addition to the Surtain and Meinerz accords, Denver also re-upped left tackle Garett Bolles in what became a busy year for the franchise on the extension front.

The team is not free of the Russell Wilson dead money; $30MM-plus awaits on this year’s payroll, interfering with the advantage gained from Bo Nix‘s rookie contract. But a Bonitto deal would begin its extension years when the Wilson contract is off the books. Nix is tied to rookie terms through at least 2026, giving the Broncos a bit of a window to have another high-end defender payment on their cap sheet.

As for the 2025 offseason, the team is projected to carry more than $52MM in cap space. While the Broncos have some need to address — at the skill positions, linebacker and perhaps a replacement for free agent D-tackle D.J. Jones — the Bonitto matter will be important.

Denver would have a 2026 franchise tag at its disposal if Bonitto talks do not progress to the sides’ liking. Although that would be a pricey cap hold next year, the second-rounder (obtained via the Rams selection in the Miller trade) may have shown himself to be too valuable to lose in free agency. The Broncos will have some time on this front, as the team took care of several extension priorities — save for perhaps Courtland Sutton, who did lobby for a raise last year ahead of a 1,000-yard season, and Zach Allen — in 2024.

CB K’Waun Williams Expected To Retire

January 15th, 2025 at 10:07am CST by Sam Robinson

After missing all of the 2023 season due to injury, K’Waun Williams did not play in 2024. The veteran cornerback does not appear prepared to aim for a comeback in 2025, either.

The veteran slot defender is expected to retire, according to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Williams spent the 2022 and ’23 seasons in Denver but will be best remembered for his time in San Francisco. Williams played 10 NFL seasons.

Williams, 33, suffered an ankle injury in summer 2023 and ended up on IR. The Broncos carried Williams through to their 53-man roster, in hopes the experienced inside corner could return later that season. That never transpired, as Williams did not make it back from surgery in time. The former Browns UDFA’s contract expired after that ’23 season. While five or six teams reached out about potential 2024 landing spots, Williams’ agent said (via Tomasson) no fit developed.

The Broncos had signed Williams to take over for the oft-injured Bryce Callahan in 2022, and the former played 14 games during Denver’s disappointing Nathaniel Hackett-led campaign. Denver signed off on a two-year, $5.2MM deal; that ran Williams’ career earnings past $18MM. The Pittsburgh alum’s two 49ers contracts did the heavier lifting to reach that total.

After the Browns waived Williams in 2017, following an ongoing dispute about an ankle injury, he landed with the 49ers during Kyle Shanahan‘s first offseason running the show. That agreement proved pivotal, as Williams manned the slot under Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans for five years. Williams was a regular for the 2019 49ers, who rebounded from a 4-12 season to reach Super Bowl LIV, and then was their slot staple in 2021 — after the team bounced back from a 6-10 slate to reach the NFC championship game. Williams forced four fumbles to help San Francisco to a 13-3 record during that 2019 season; he added a fifth during the 49ers’ NFC title game win over the Packers.

Helping a team that did not have the same stability at outside corner during this span, Williams was charged with just two touchdowns surrendered across his final four NFL seasons. Earning a three-year, $8.85MM extension early during the 2017 season, Williams joined Richard Sherman and Emmanuel Moseley as 49ers regulars during the Super Bowl LIV run. The 49ers then re-signed him to a one-year deal for the 2021 campaign. Williams played two seasons for the Browns, the first of which (2014) doubling as Shanahan’s Cleveland OC stopover. The Bears had claimed Williams off waivers in 2016 but did not pass him on a physical.

San Francisco struggled to find a Williams replacement in 2022 and ’23, seeing various options play in nickel sets alongside Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir in that span. The Broncos have turned to UDFA Ja’Quan McMillian in the slot post-Williams. If this is it for Williams, he will close his career with five interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 34 passes defensed.

Bo Nix Played Through Back Fracture; DT D.J. Jones Wants To Stay With Broncos

January 14th, 2025 at 6:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Bo Nix and Troy Franklin became the first rookies to connect on a playoff touchdown pass, the Bills eventually proved far too much for a Broncos team that came into the season with low expectations. Nix played the lead role in changing the perception of Sean Payton‘s team, and he will be the centerpiece player come 2025.

As Nix made a surprise entrance into Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations, he played through an injury more serious than the team let on. While Nix had appeared on the Broncos’ injury report with a back issue, the No. 12 overall pick since revealed (via 9News’ Mike Klis) he sustained a transverse process fracture during Denver’s Week 12 win in Las Vegas.

[RELATED: Javonte Williams Interested In Re-Signing]

Nix appeared on the Broncos’ injury report ahead of their Week 13 game, before indicating the bye week helped this along. He did not appear on Denver’s injury report for the rest of the season, starting all 17 games. Nix led his rookie class in passing yards (3,775) while adding 430 on the ground. The Oregon product’s 29 touchdown passes rank behind only Justin Herbert in NFL history for TD tosses by a rookie. After needing to beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, Nix will enter the offseason as an ascending passer after powering the Broncos to their first playoff game since Super Bowl 50.

Despite Nix being tied to a rookie contract, the Broncos do not have as much flexibility as teams traditionally do in this spot. Nix is tied to his rookie deal through at least 2026, but the Broncos’ Russell Wilson release will affect their cap sheet through 2025. Denver opted to take on the higher dead money sum ($53MM) of Wilson’s record-smashing cap penalty in 2024, but $30MM-plus is still due in 2025. That will negate some of the savings the Broncos would have reaped from Nix’s rookie-scale contract, thus leading to some decisions coming soon. Not set to carry over much money from this year, the Broncos nevertheless are projected to possess more than $48MM in cap space — a mid-pack number for 2025.

In good shape in terms of starters under contract, the Broncos do have a few key players unsigned. Nose tackle D.J. Jones joins Javonte Williams and linebacker Cody Barton as free agents-to-be on this roster. While the Broncos did well to extend a few players over the past several months — Patrick Surtain, Quinn Meinerz, Garett Bolles, Jonathon Cooper — they will have some holes to fill soon. Jones, however, does want to stay in Denver, indicating (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) he “would love” to re-sign. Ditto Barton, who played out a one-year, $2.5MM deal.

Jones, who will turn 30 on Sunday, started every game he played on a three-year, $30MM contract. Denver has All-Pro Zach Allen and 2024 trade pickup John Franklin-Myers tied to team-friendly deals, though Jones helped the team’s run defense considerably. ESPN’s run stop win rate placed Jones second among D-tackles this season, and the ex-49ers sixth-round pick will be in position to fetch a decent third contract soon.

Playing without Alex Singleton for much of the season, the Broncos relied on Barton as a three-down presence despite the ex-Seahawk draftee needing to win a preseason competition. He has now worked as a three-down player for three teams in three years, moving from the Seahawks to the Commanders to the Broncos. Singleton, 31, remains under contract for 2025 but is coming off an ACL tear. Pro Football Focus ranked Barton 45th among off-ball ‘backers. While the six-year vet could be in line for a slight raise come March, the Broncos may be interested in retaining him due to Singleton’s age and injury status.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/13/25

January 13th, 2025 at 7:38pm CST by Ben Levine

Many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts, allowing the organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players through the offseason. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

  • DT Ralph Holley

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • OT Doug Nester
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