Mike Westhoff, the Denver Broncos’ associate head coach, has resigned due to visual concerns.
Westhoff, 76, is a former special teams coordinator for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints who has come 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 sent by the Broncos to The Associated Press and other news sources. “This team is on the right track, with a solid foundation and a winning culture. I’m grateful to Sean for providing me the opportunity to contribute to a first-rate company, and I wish the Broncos all the best.”
Westhoff has been experiencing visual problems for the past few weeks and chose to quit 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 said nothing. He’s a difficult sucker. So, after the game (Sunday), he went through several scans and did a lot of medical work, and he and the medical team decided it was best for him to walk away.”
“There’s a stress level obviously that takes place that can take its toll, especially at his age,” Payton added.
Since 2023, Westhoff and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica have led the Broncos (5-5) to one of the league’s best special teams units. This season, they’ve had 21 punts land inside the 20-yard line, with 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.
