Tag: Wil Lutz

Peyton Manning has been practicing kicks at Broncos’ facility with help from Wil Lutz

Ahead of FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 3” event, Peyton Manning practiced at the Broncos’ facility with help from Wil Lutz.

Peyton Manning and his younger brother, Eli Manning, are set to face off in a field goal battle on Super Bowl Sunday.

Ahead of FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 3” event, Peyton has been practicing at the Denver Broncos‘ indoor practice facility with help from the team’s kicker, Wil Lutz.

“Lutz has kind of been my consultant,” Manning said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show last week. “He didn’t want anybody to know that based on how I kick. If I kick poorly, he’s like, ‘Don’t tell anybody I’ve been helpin’ ya.’

“But I was kicking straight on with a square toe and he’s like, ‘I gotta tell you, Peyton. You don’t kick well like that and you look like a fool. They’re going to kill you on social media.’ So at least now I’ve gone soccer style. I look better, I’m not saying it’s great, but I don’t have to be great, I just have to be better than Eli.”

Lutz confirmed his involvement on his Twitter/X page:

Manning released a practice video later in the week:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFybtIHR0WX/?hl=en

FanDuel has released two commercials promoting the kick-off, and Manning starred in a mockumentary of him “practicing,” but it didn’t include any kicks.

The brothers will both attempt to convert field goals at 3 p.m. ET ahead of the Super Bowl LIX on Sunday. FanDuel will also have two Manning commercials air during the game.

The Super Bowl between the Chiefs and Eagles will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 9. The game will be televised on Fox and available to stream on FuboTV (try it free).

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Wil Lutz reacts to Broncos losing assistant special teams coach

“Loved playing for this dude the last two years,” Wil Lutz wrote. “So much respect for Banjo during our time as teammates, and as my coach!”

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!”

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.

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8 Broncos (including Bo Nix) named alternates for 2025 Pro Bowl

Bo Nix is among eight Broncos players who were named alternates for the 2025 Pro Bowl.

The Denver Broncos had three players elected to the 2025 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Thursday.

In addition to those players, eight other Broncos players were named alternates for the all-star game.

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (first alternate), long snapper Mitch Fraboni (first), kicker Wil Lutz (third), tackle Garett Bolles (third), fullback Mike Burton (fourth), defensive lineman Zach Allen (fourth), quarterback Bo Nix (fourth) and safety Brandon Jones (fifth) were named Pro Bowl alternates. They will be candidates to join the Pro Bowl roster if other players drop out.

1. Quinn Meinerz delivers big pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis and his 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fifth among NFL guards.

2. Mitchell Fraboni was named a PFF second-team All-Pro last season and he had another impressive campaign in 2024. He totaled five tackles on punt coverage after snapping to Dixon.

3. Wil Lutz converted 30 field goals this season, which ranked sixth in the AFC and seventh overall. His 90.9% field goal rate ranked fifth among qualified kickers in the AFC and he was one of nine full-time kickers to go 100% on extra point attempts this fall. Lutz was a perfect 11-of-11 on field goal attempts between 40-49 yards, the best mark at that range this season.

4. Garett Bolles was credited with allowing two sacks this season and his 88.8 pass-blocking grade on PFF ranks fifth in the NFL among offensive tackles.

5. Michael Burton is the No. 1-ranked fullback on PFF this season with an overall grade of 66.8 and a pass-blocking grade of 75.8. Burton is used primarily as a blocker, but he has also picked up six first downs and scored two touchdowns with six carries and 10 receptions this season.

6. Zach Allen has recorded 73 pressures, 8.5 sacks (tied for second among AFC interior defensive linemen), 39 QB hits, 34 hurries, 15 tackles behind the line, one safety and one pass breakup this season.

7. Bo Nix‘s 30 total touchdowns rank fourth in the AFC this season, only trailing Joe Burrow (44), Lamar Jackson (43) and Josh Allen (41). His long of 93 yards ranks third in the NFL and his 24 sacks are eighth-fewest among the league’s 32 quarterbacks.

8. Brandon Jones has totaled three interceptions this fall, tied for fourth-most in the AFC. His 114 tackles are a team-high in Denver. Jones also broke up 10 passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in 2024.

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2. The NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 last season.

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Broncos Alex Singleton, Wil Lutz perform in Colorado Ballet’s Nutcracker play

Broncos K Wil Lutz and LB Alex Singleton made special appearances in the Colorado Ballet’s performance of ‘The Nutcracker” this week.

Two members of the Denver Broncos showed their athletic ability off the field when they appeared as special guest artists in The Nutcracker on Sunday night.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz and linebacker Alex Singleton made a special appearance on the stage of the Colorado Ballet’s performance of the Christmas classic, carrying a litter.

Singleton gave his performance a 7/10, while Lutz gave himself an 8/10.

Lutz is having himself an impressive year, earning two AFC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades so far in 2024 (in Weeks 3 and 12).

Singleton’s season has been a bit of a roller coaster, as he tore his ACL (and still played 57 snaps) in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. Despite this setback, Singleton was selected by the Broncos as their 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. In his stage appearance, Singleton performed admirably, if we do say so ourselves!

You can watch their brief appearance below:

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Blake Grupe has already made Saints history in Year 2

Blake Grupe has been sharp from long range since entering the league. He’s the only Saints kicker to hit this impressive milestone:

Blake Grupe’s performance this year has flown under the radar. Not only has the second year player been a more accurate kicker than he was his rookie season, Grupe has also shown good range in 2024.

This may feel hyperbolic, but Grupe has literally made history in his first two seasons. In his first year, he was the first kicker in New Orleans Saints history to make five or more field goals from at least 50 yards in a season, with six of them on nine tries. He’s done it again in Year 2, going five-for-five.

It’s extremely impressive because Morten Andersen and Wil Lutz are former Saints with strong resumes, but neither of them hit this one particular milestone. Grupe has done it twice.

To add to this feat, the kicker hasn’t missed from 50-plus all season long.

Let’s take a deep breath and hope the writer’s jinx doesn’t come into play against the New York Giants.

Grupe’s year has been defined by efficiency and range. He’s delivered both simultaneously on five different occasions. He opened the season with a career long of 57 yards against the Panthers. Grupe’s overall percentage of made field goals has jumped by nearly 10 percent as well. He’s earned some confidence during his brief time on the job, let’s hope he keeps it up.

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Wil Lutz reacts to joining impressive list of NFL kickers

Wil Lutz became the fifth-fastest kicker in NFL history to reach 1,000 career points on Monday.

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz made history against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football this week.

Lutz, 30, went 2-of-2 on field goal attempts and 5-of-5 on extra point attempts in a 41-32 win over the Browns, giving him 11 total points on the night. Lutz has now topped 1,000 career points in 127 games. He was the fifth-fastest kicker in NFL history to reach that milestone.

Player Games Points
1. Justin Tucker 118 1,008
2. Stephen Gostkowski 119 1,009
3. Mason Crosby 124 1,005
4. Mike Vanderjagt 126 1,004
5. Wil Lutz 127 1,009

“Grateful for this journey, and everyone whose had a hand in it 🙏,” Lutz wrote on his official Twitter/X page on Monday after the game.

Lutz ranks ninth among active players with 1,009 career points. He spent the first eight years of his career with the New Orleans Saints before following coach Sean Payton to the Broncos in 2023.

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Wil Lutz had a funny response to Bo Nix’s comments about settling for field goals

Broncos QB Bo Nix said he’s proud of Wil Lutz, but he only wants the kicker to have to attempt extra points. This is how Lutz responded.

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz had a big performance against the Las Vegas Raiders last week, going 5-for-5 on field goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra point attempts in a 29-19 win on the road.

Following his 17-point day, Lutz was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Broncos players are, of course, happy for Lutz’s success, but quarterback Bo Nix doesn’t want to settle for that many field goals going forward.

“When we get into the red zone, we have to score,” Nix said last Friday. “One thing that we didn’t do great last week. Wil Lutz got another Player of the Week because he’s kicking five field goals. We’re proud of him and he’s doing a great job of when he gets out there, but we’re trying to have him only make 15-yarders from the extra point standpoint. We have to continue to be efficient when our moment comes and continue to score touchdowns. That’s what has worked in the past and in a game like this, primetime, that is how you win games. You have to score points.”

Lutz had a perfect response to his quarterback’s statement:

Lutz has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season and Nix has won three straight Rookie of the Week awards. The kicker joked that he’s just trying to keep pace with his QB. So long as the Broncos continue to win, Lutz can win all the awards he likes.

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Broncos kicker Wil Lutz wins weekly award

This was Wil Lutz’s second time winning the award in 2024.

After the Denver Broncos‘ win over the Las Vegas Raiders, kicker Wil Lutz earned another personal accolade of his own.

Lutz was awarded AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after going 5-for-5 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points. Lutz’s 17 points proved the critical difference in the Broncos’ 29-19 win over the Raiders. Lutz made field goals of 33, 38, 45, 53 and 54 yards in the win.

Week 12 was the second time Lutz won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2024. Lutz also won the award after Denver’s Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 2024, Lutz has been exceptional for the Broncos. Lutz has made 24-of-27 field goals (88.9%) and a perfect 26-of-26 on extra points in 2024. After being traded to Denver in 2023, Lutz has been 54-of-61 on field goals and 55-of-57 on extra points.

There are five games left for Lutz to improve on those numbers before the season ends. Up next is a Monday Night Football showdown with the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

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This is why Alex Singleton was Wil Lutz’s biggest fan on Sunday

“He’s very grateful,” Wil Lutz said of scoring for Alex Singleton’s fantasy football team. “He reminded me of that after every one of them.”

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz had a big game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Lutz converted 38-, 53-, 54-, 45- and 33-yard field goals and converted two extra-point attempts, accounting for 17 of Denver’s 29 points on the day.

Nobody was happier about Lutz’s performance than injured Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton, who started his teammate in fantasy football.

“17 points, but 22 points for Alex Singleton’s fantasy team,” Lutz said after the game. Singleton’s league must give bonuses for long field goals. “He’s very grateful. He reminded me of that after every one of them.”

Lutz is 13-of-13 on kicks since the team’s last-second field goal attempt against the Kansas City Chiefs was blocked in Week 10.

“Listen, he’s been kicking well,” coach Sean Payton said after a 29-19 win in Las Vegas. “His Kansas City kick got blocked, but it was a good kick. That was on us as coaches. That wasn’t on any individual player. Wil is doing well. Shoot, he’s got a live leg. He was solid today. Yeah, his body of work has been really good.”

Lutz is 24-of-27 on field goal attempts this season with a long of 54 yards. He’s 26-of-26 on extra points attempts, scoring 98 points so far in 2024.

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5 Broncos players who deserve to make the 2025 Pro Bowl

These five Denver Broncos players should make the Pro Bowl this season.

Fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl opened on Monday and the Denver Broncos have five players who deserve to make the All-Star game.

Here’s a quick list of the Broncos players who should receive an invite to Florida following the regular season.

1. CB Pat Surtain: PS2 has allowed just 142 passing yards this season, fewest in the NFL among qualified cornerbacks. Add in three interceptions (including a 100-yard pick-six) and Surtain should be a lock.

2. G Quinn Meinerz: He delivers pancake blocks seemingly every week. Meinerz is overdue for his first career Pro Bowl nod.

3. DL Zach Allen: He’s currently sidelined with a heel injury, but Allen still leads defensive linemen with 52 pressures this season. Allen has dominated this fall, totaling 21 quarterback hits, 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and five sacks through 11 games.

4. OLB Nik Bonitto: The first Broncos to record double-digit sacks since 2018, Bonitto is in contention to lead the NFL in sacks this season.

5. WR Courtland Sutton: His 744 receiving yards rank in the top four in the AFC, as do his five receiving touchdowns. Sutton has been a reliable WR1 for rising rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Honorable mentions: CB Riley Moss, K Wil Lutz, OLB Jonathon Cooper, CB Ja’Quan McMillian, DB Brandon Jones, LT Garett Bolles, QB Bo Nix, KR/PR Marvin Mims and ST Tremon Smith.

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl through Dec. 23. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.

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