Tag: Zach Azzanni

Broncos coaching staff update: Mike Zimmer buzz and more

The Broncos appear to have six candidates for their DC job, and three more coaches might be on their way out. Here’s the latest.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is busy assembling his coaching staff at Dove Valley, and there might be some developments this week.

After losing Ejiro Evero, Payton has interviewed six defensive coordinator candidates, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. In his report yesterday, Klis mentioned four names specifically, and we can probably guess the other two.

Klis said the Broncos have interviewed Sean Desai, Kris Richard and in-house candidate Christian Parker. Klis also said he has “heard some noise” about Mike Zimmer, who has coached with Payton in the past. That tracks with Albert Breer’s Monday story that said Zimmer has been connected to Denver.

That’s four candidates. So who are the other two?

Rex Ryan interviewed with the Broncos last week, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis “is a potential candidate” for Denver’s defensive coordinator job.

It appears that Desai, Richard, Parker, Zimmer, Ryan and Rallis are the candidates to replace Evero. The Broncos were previously connected to Vic Fangio and Brian Flores, but they both took jobs elsewhere.

Elsewhere on the coaching front, Denver might lose a few coaches this week. Offensive quality control coach Ramon Chinyoung has already left to join the Dallas Cowboys, according to Klis.

Broncos quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak is also drawing strong interest from the Houston Texans, according to GallerySports.com’s John McClain. Kubiak has been in hot demand this offseason, and he seems unlikely to remain in Denver.

Meanwhile, Broncos wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni has already interviewed with the Buffalo Bills, and he’s set to talk to the New York Jets today, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. There’s still a possibility that Azzanni could remain in Denver, but he will have options.

Payton is expected to begin announcing additions to the coaching staff this week. We are tracking the changes on this page.

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Courtland Sutton happy to have continuity with Broncos WRs coach Zach Azzanni

“To be able to have him for another year is awesome,” Sutton said.

Entering his third season in the NFL, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has played for two different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators. One of his most important coaches — wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni — has remained in place.

Sutton is grateful for that, especially in a unique offseason.

“It’s one thing that’s really nice to have that one piece of stability,” Sutton said on May 14. “[He’s] a really big piece of stability in a situation where — this is my third offensive coordinator — to be able to have Coach Z be the guy who we’re still hearing the same language in terms of what he expects out of us in our room, we’re getting to hear that same language.

“He understands our room because pretty much he’s gotten it to where all of us that are in that room are guys that he’s drafted or has got to recommend to be undrafted guys in our room. To be able to have him for another year is awesome. It’s an underrated blessing for sure because when you’re learning a new offense, having some type of stability in that change is nice, especially someone that’s in your room who is the teacher of the new offense to us.”

In two seasons under Azzanni, Sutton has caught 114 passes for 1,816 yards and 10 touchdowns. After reaching the Pro Bowl as an alternate last year, Sutton will look to build on his totals in his third year with Azzanni.

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Broncos coaches embrace ‘new normal’ with home offices

Broncos coaches are meeting with NFL draft prospects through video calls from their home offices.

In an effort to slow down COVID-19, the NFL has closed team facilities and announced that the draft will be held in a fully virtual format.

Teams won’t be allowed to host prospects on pre-draft visits so the Broncos are meeting with players via video calls. With their facility closed, Denver’s coaches are working on pre-draft prep from home offices:

Zach Azzanni spent 18 years coaching in college before joining the Bears’ staff in 2017. One year later, he was hired by Denver.

Azzanni is now entering his third year as the Broncos’ wide receivers coach. Last season, Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton earned a Pro Bowl berth after catching 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns.

Azzanni is now helping the team search for more talented WRs.

The Broncos have already had calls or scheduled calls with cornerback Kristian Fulton, offensive lineman Matt Hennessy, offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland, defensive lineman Leki Fotu and linebacker Joe Bachie.

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