The Denver Broncos have lost all three special teams coaches from the Sean Payton era.
Assistant head coach Mike Westhoff retired last November, special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica was fired earlier this month and assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo just left to become the new ST coordinator of the New York Jets. All three coached under Sean Payton from 2023-2024 in Denver.
Broncos kicker Wil Lutz took to Twitter/X on Wednesday to react to the news of Banjo leaving for a promotion elsewhere.
“Loved playing for this dude the last two years,” Lutz tweeted. “So much respect for Banjo during our time as teammates, and as my coach! He changed our special teams as a player in New Orleans, and brought energy and knowledge as a coach in Denver. NYJ got a good one!”
Loved playing for this dude the last two years. So much respect for Banjo during our time as teammates, and as my coach! He changed our special teams as a player in New Orleans, and brought energy and knowledge as a coach in Denver. NYJ got a good one! https://t.co/jaCbPWQbcV
— Wil Lutz (@wil_lutz5) January 30, 2025
Banjo, 34, was a safety and special teams ace in the NFL from 2013-2022. His 10-year career included a stint with the New Orleans Saints, and he joined Payton’s staff in 2023 immediately after hanging up his cleats. Banjo’s quick rise as a coach has landed him a promotion in New York.
