ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have officially parted ways with their special teams coordinator, Ben Kotwica, following a series of inconsistent performances, culminating in a crucial misstep during Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs. During his two-year tenure on Sean Payton’s coaching staff, Kotwica was recognized for rejuvenating the Broncos’ special teams, which had languished before his arrival. However, his time with the team ended on a sour note after a catastrophic event that significantly impacted their playoff standing.
Kotwica had been instrumental in transforming Denver’s special teams into a competitive force since he joined in 2023. Yet, the memory of a last-minute blocked field goal in their match against the Chiefs on November 10 lingered heavily over the organization. With the game tied and time running out, the Chiefs exploited a gap in the Broncos’ protection scheme, leading to a blocked kick that secured a 16-14 victory for Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.
In the aftermath of that game, Head Coach Sean Payton publicly defended his players, particularly Alex Forsyth, declaring, “This is on all of us. This is on us as coaches.” Nevertheless, the repercussions were felt immediately, and a day later, Kotwica found himself on the chopping block.
Following the incident, the Broncos (10-8) made tactical adjustments to their line by swapping Forsyth with Matt Peart to address the protection issue, but the ramifications of that failed play remained for an extended period. They ultimately secured the AFC’s final playoff spot by defeating the Chiefs’ backup squad in the regular season finale, thereby bringing an end to their eight-year absence from the postseason.
Despite the dramatic fall in that pivotal game, kicker Wil Lutz rebounded impressively after the blocked attempt, successfully converting 41 consecutive kicks, including extra points. However, he did miss a critical 50-yard field goal during Denver’s 31-7 wild-card playoff defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.
In terms of performance metrics, Kotwica’s special teams unit had a commendable season overall. The Broncos led the league with an impressive average of 15.7 yards on punt returns. Additionally, Marvin Mims Jr. earned accolades as one of five Broncos selected to the All-Pro team, while Denver placed seventh in the league by successfully pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line on 33 separate occasions.
However, their playoff performance showcased several shortcomings. In addition to Lutz’s missed kick at the end of the first half, the team also allowed Ty Johnson to accumulate 59 yards on two separate punt returns, highlighting factors that contributed significantly to the team’s struggles on special teams during the postseason.
