The Denver Broncos hired former New Orleans Saints Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi to be their Special Teams Coordinator Friday. He acquitted himself well as the interim head coach going 3-5. He helped New Orleans have one of the best special teams units in the league.
Rizzi was reportedly a finalist for the Saints head coaching job and interviewed to be the next New York Jets head coach. Ultimately, he came up empty-handed and the Denver Broncos hired one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL. Rizzi reunited with former New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton. The two worked together for three seasons in New Orleans. Will Rizzi be able to help the special teams of the Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos Special Team Woes
Got Rizz: The #Broncos are hiring Darren Rizzi as their special teams coordinator, per source.
The #Saints rallied behind Rizzi, 54, as interim coach and he was a finalist for the full-time job. But New Orleans hired Kellen Moore and now Rizzi reunites with Sean Payton in…
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 14, 2025
Denver had a great regular season and finished with the No. 7 seed in the AFC. Special teams hurt them in one particular game this season. The Broncos had a chance to knock off the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10, but a blocked field goal cost them the game. Special teams were not the strength for the Denver Broncos this year. They were 16th in average kick return yardage. Kicker Will Lutz, another former Saints player, was also 13th during the regular season in field goal percentage.
Rizzi helped the New Orleans Saints have a tremendous special teams stretch. At one point this season, kickers against the Saints were 4-of-12 on field goals. For example, in Rizzi’s first game as interim coach, Atlanta Falcons Kicker Younghoe Koo went an awful 1-of-4 on field goals. Rizzi will hope to bring that type of success to the Denver Broncos.
Final Thoughts
The Broncos had a great season. They were led by rookie Quarterback Bo Nix and a tremendous defense featuring Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. If Rizzi can fix Denver’s special teams, next season should be just as fruitful.
