Darren Rizzi – Syndication Server

Blake Grupe shares endorsement for Saints’ next coach at Radio Row

All signs point to the Saints hiring Kellen Moore after the Super Bowl, but that didn’t stop Blake Grupe from endorsing Darren Rizzi this week on Radio Row:

All signs point to Kellen Moore being the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Until the ink dries on his contract, however, nothing is official. Maybe it is that small glimmer of hope that led to Blake Grupe saying he’s “a believer in Rizz.”

Grupe’s endorsement of Darren Rizzi joins those made by other Saints players on social media, like Alvin Kamara and maybe Cameron Jordan.

Grupe being a kicker gives him first-hand experience with Rizzi. Even before Dennis Allen got fired and Rizzi became the interim head coach, Rizzi was still Grupe’s main point of contact. That probably plays a part in why he feels that way. Over the last two seasons, he’s become more familiar with Rizzi than most of the roster.

Still, with signs pointing towards this being an unlikely outcome, it’s surprising to hear Grupe come out with that statement. Commendable, but surprising.

When asked about Moore specifically, Grupe deferred to his position on special teams as his area of expertise. He told the NOLA.com crew at Radio Row, “I don’t need to know the offense, man, I just need to keep kicking.”

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Saints interim coach lumped into a group of the coaching cycle’s losers

There won’t be any interim coaches retained this coaching cycle, so B/R has that group as one of the offseason’s biggest losers:

The New Orleans Saints have yet to finalize a deal with Kellen Moore to be the next head coach, but the only impediment is waiting for Moore’s season to be over.

That would mean the Saints would pass over Darren Rizzi and no interim coaches will be retained.

The Saints, New York Jets and Chicago Bears all fired their coach midseason and went outside of the building for their newest head coach.

Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton called interim head coaches one of the coaching cycle’s biggest losers. He believes Antonio Pierce’s quick departure from the Las Vegas Raiders could have played a part in team’s reluctance to commit to interim coaches.

A larger contributing factor could be the lack of success of interim coaches in 2024. Pierce had a winning record as an interim coach. The three teams with an interim coach are all picking inside the top-10.

Rizzi may be a part of the loser group, but he doesn’t need sympathy. He’s one of the top special teams coordinators in the league and already has his next job lined up.

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Ian Rapoport says pending Broncos coaching hire is ‘likely’ to happen

The Saints are expected to hire Kellen Moore after the Super Bowl. After that happens, the Broncos will likely hire Darren Rizzi.

Immediately after the Denver Broncos fired former special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica in January, speculation started that Sean Payton could hire Darren Rizzi as the club’s new special teams coach.

Last week, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis reported that Rizzi “is in line” to get the ST job in Denver if he does not become the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints. That report has since been confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Saints are expected to hire Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their new head coach after the Super Bowl. That would leave Rizzi available to land with the Broncos.

“As the #Saints zero in on Kellen Moore, slated to have another conversation with him after the Super Bowl, interim coach Darren Rizzi is likely to become the new #Broncos special teams coordinator, sources say,” Rapoport tweeted last week.

Rizzi, 54, served as a special teams coordinator under Payton in New Orleans and he was promoted to interim head coach last fall after the Saints fired Dennis Allen. He is now expected to reunite with Payton in Denver sometime after the Super Bowl.

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Darren Rizzi’s kickoff rules changes paid big dividends in 2024

Darren Rizzi pushed to change the kickoff rules in 2024, and the NFL was pleased with results. It resulted in longer kickoff returns, more touchdowns and fewer injuries:

Darren Rizzi is currently in the running for the New Orleans Saints head coaching vacancy, but he will be a sought after special teams coordinator if he isn’t selected. Ben Johnson wasted no time calling Rizzi after becoming the Chicago Bears head coach, but he’s expected to reunite with Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos staff if the Saints don’t hire him as their own head coach.

The success and return of the kickoff is a great display of why other teams will be calling his phone, as well. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the NFL is pleased with the improvements made to the play in 2024 due to the change of procedure.

It was Rizzi who pushed the procedure through. Instead of the kicking team being allowed to start running with the kicker, they now stand at the 40 yard line and wait for the ball to be kicked before they can run. The result was more kickoff returns, longer returns on average and an increase in touchdowns. Touchbacks were moved up to the 30 yard line rather than the 25. Most importantly, there have been fewer injuries on kickoffs.

It’s interesting to see how Rizzi had the Saints approach this compared to their peers around the league. While they faced the second-most kick returns (57), they allowed the sixth-fewest yards gained per return (26.0). No defense in the NFL started with better average field position than the Saints, too (their own 27.2 yard line). Rizzi bet on his coverage unit stopping the returner short of the touchback marker, and he often won that gamble.

Rizzi’s proactiveness in getting this rule passed reflects well on his special teams acumen and is a reason teams will flock towards him if he hits the market.

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Report: Saints’ interim coach already has his next job lined up

Darren Rizzi is going to wait and see how the Saints head coach search plays out, but he may already have his next job lined up. You’ll never guess where:

Here’s the big tell everyone was waiting for. Darren Rizzi appears to have his next job lined up after working as the New Orleans Saints interim head coach this season — NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Rizzi “is likely to become the new Broncos special teams coordinator.” Rizzi was brought to the Saints by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton when he was running the operation in New Orleans, so it makes sense he would partner up again with Rizzi when given the chance.

Of course it isn’t as simple as Rizzi swapping his Saints hat for a Broncos cap and getting on a flight to Denver this Monday morning. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill clarifies that “Denver has not yet requested to interview him” and that while Rizzi would be the favorite for this job, he’s going to wait until the Saints officially name their next head coach before moving on.

And that candidate is expected to be Kellen Moore. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told other candidates for the job on Friday that he was focused on continuing negotiations with the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, and that he wouldn’t make a final decision on the job until after Super Bowl LIX. That’s when NFL rules allow Moore to next speak with the Saints and accept the job. The Broncos are going to at least consider their options for a special teams coordinator, but the expectation should be that Rizzi will end up on staff with Payton once again.

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Broncos have to fill 5 positions on Sean Payton’s coaching staff

The Broncos need to fill five positions on Sean Payton’s coaching staff this offseason.

The Denver Broncos were hit hard by other clubs poaching coaching staff talent this offseason.

The Broncos lost assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo to the New York Jets, passing game coordinator John Morton to the Detroit Lions and tight ends coach Declan Doyle to the Chicago Bears.

The 2025 Broncos are the first team since the 2021 Los Angeles Rams to have three coaches poached for coordinator jobs, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Additionally, Denver fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica and inside linebackers coach Greg Manusky. That gives the team five total positions on Sean Payton’s staff that need to be filled this offseason.

Broncos coaching staff openings

Special teams coordinator
Assistant special teams coach
Tight ends coach
Passing game coordinator
Inside linebackers coach

Ex-senior personnel executive David Shaw also left for a coaching role with the Lions, but his old position is not necessarily one that needs to be filled.

Former New Orleans Saints interim coach/special teams coach Darren Rizzi is considered a top candidate to get the special teams coordinator job in Denver, and Phil Galiano could join him as an assistant.

Former New England Patriots tight ends coach Bob Bicknell could be a potential candidate to fill the TEs coach position in Denver, per Klis. Bicknell coached with Broncos senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael with the New Orleans Saints from 2022-2023 when Carmichael was an offensive coordinator.

We will track all of Denver’s coaching staff moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos lose yet another coach (but a new hire could soon follow)

Chris Banjo is set to leave the Broncos to become the Jets’ ST coordinator. Meanwhile, Darren Rizzi might be in line to get Denver’s ST job.

The Denver Broncos have lost yet another member of Sean Payton’s coaching staff.

Broncos assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo is set to leave the team to become the new special teams coordinator of the New York Jets, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Denver now has five coaching staff openings.

Banjo, 34, was a safety and special teams ace in the NFL from 2013-2022, spending time with four teams, including a stint with the New Orleans Saints under Payton. When Payton became the Broncos’ head coach in 2023, he hired Banjo as an assistant coach right after the ex-safety retired from playing.

Denver has now lost all three special teams coaches from last season. Mike Westhoff retired last November, Ben Kotwica was fired earlier this month and Banjo has now left for a promotion elsewhere.

The good news for the Broncos is that ex-Saints interim head coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi could be joining Payton’s staff soon. Kellen Moore is believed to be a leading candidate to get the head coach job in New Orleans, which would make Rizzi available for Denver.

If Rizzi does not get the HC job with the Saints, he will likely land with the Broncos and Klis has reported that assistant Phil Galiano could join Rizzi in Denver. Rizzi potentially landing with the Broncos might not be finalized until after New Orleans makes its hire official.

We will track all of Denver’s coaching staff moves on Broncos Wire.

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Mike McCarthy’s decision could impact the Broncos

Mike McCarthy won’t join the Saints. Now all eyes turn to Darren Rizzi, who is a candidate for the Broncos’ special teams job.

Mike McCarthy will not become the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

McCarthy has decided to not take a head coach job in 2025, opting to instead focus on the 2026 hiring cycle, similar to the decision Mike Vrabel made last year.

Unfortunately, McCarthy’s delay could have big implications for the Denver Broncos. McCarthy was perhaps the most high-profile coach available for the Saints, and New Orleans must now focus on other options.

Yesterday, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis reported that if McCarthy or Kellen Moore are hired by the Saints, ex-interim coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi would be in line to become Denver’s new ST coach.

McCarthy won’t take the job. Now we wait to see if Moore gets it. If Moore also turns it down, Rizzi might become a leading candidate.

Meanwhile, Broncos assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo has also received interest from other clubs, including the New York Jets. If Rizzi ends up staying in New Orleans, perhaps Denver will consider promoting Banjo. Stay tuned.

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Report: Underrated coach candidate made a ‘strong impression’ with Saints

Kellen Moore looks like the favorite for the Saints head coaching vacancy, but don’t count out Anthony Weaver. ESPN reports he made a strong impression:

The New Orleans Saints flew out to Philadelphia to meet with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore. The aggressiveness of this move suggests he is the Saints main target, but don’t count out Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Weaver “has come up often as a candidate that’s made a strong impression.”

Of the names who have interviewed, Moore, Weaver, Mike Kafka and Darren Rizzi, Fowler’s report could suggest Weaver has an advantage over most of the candidates. Weaver has been the recipient of positive endorsements

Mike McCarthy isn’t a part of the group since he has yet to meet with the Saints. NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported a possible disconnect between both sides on certain details. Those details feel like potential non-negotiables for McCarthy.

If McCarthy never enters the picture, let’s say the Saints are left with having to pick between Weaver and Moore. That’s one coach who made a strong enough impression to be a constant talking point. You took a trip to the other coach to interview him instead of waiting for him to come to you.

Chase Young highlighted as one of the NFL’s biggest risers

Saints DE Chase Young made noticeable improvements in the second half of the season. PFF sees him as one of the year’s biggest risers:

Chase Young was the New Orleans Saints’ biggest free agency acquisition last offseason. Things began slow for Young but he began to validate some of the belief the Saints showed in him as the season went on.

This improvement was seen across the defensive line after transitioning from Todd Grantham to Brian Young as the defensive line coach. Young, Brian Bresee and Cameron Jordan saw the most noticeable improvements.

Pro Football Focus highlighted Young as one of the biggest risers in the second half of the season. How PFF divided the aligns with Darren Rizzi replacing Dennis Allen, Weeks 1 to 9 and Weeks 10 to 18.

In that time frame, Young had just half a sack more, but he began to get significantly more pressures. The defensive end had 33 pressures in the back stretch of the season, highlighted by his monster game versus the New York Giants. That was the seventh most in the league during the time span.

Young improved from a 56.6 player grade in the first nine games to a 73.3 grade in the second half of the season. The Saints have a decision to make on Young. PFF saw a step up from Young and the raw numbers support their observation.

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