Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff steps down because of vision problems

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff has resigned because of problems with his vision.

Westhoff, 76, is a former special teams coordinator with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints who came out of retirement to join head coach Sean Payton’s staff in Denver in 2023.

“It’s not easy to make this decision, but this was a wake-up call that I needed to put my health first,” Westhoff said in a statement the Broncos provided to The Associated Press and other news outlets. “This team is very much headed in the right direction with a strong foundation and winning culture. I’m grateful to Sean for giving me the opportunity to contribute to a first-class organization and wish the Broncos the very best.”

Westhoff experienced problems with his vision over the last couple weeks and decided to resign after consulting doctors this week.

“Over the last two, two-and-a-half weeks, he started having some blurriness in one of his eyes,” Payton said after practice Wednesday. “Of course he didn’t say anything. He’s a tough, tough sucker. … So, after the game (Sunday) he went through some scans, went through quite a bit of medical work and he felt, as well as the medical team, that it was in his best interests to step away.”

“There’s a stress level obviously that takes place that can take its toll, especially at his age,” Payton added.

Under Westhoff and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica, the Broncos (5-5) have had one of the league’s best special teams units since 2023. This year, they’ve had 21 punts land inside the 20-yard line, four of them near the goal line.

“He’s done a tremendous job here,” Payton said. “So, we’ll miss him.”

Westhoff’s resignation comes at a time that the Broncos are reeling from a blocked field goal as time expired Sunday, resulting in a 16-14 loss at Kansas City.

Notes: WR Josh Reynolds returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since breaking a finger on a touchdown catch against Las Vegas in Week 5. Reynolds was the victim of a shooting last month in which he suffered a graze wound to the back of his head after leaving a Denver nightclub.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl