Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, special teams are often called the “third phase” of the game—and for the Denver Broncos, it’s become the phase that’s single-handedly undermining their otherwise impressive 2025 season. While the Broncos’ offense ranks 7th in total yards and their defense sits 5th in points allowed, their special teams unit has been a disaster: ranking 31st in the league in overall special teams efficiency (per Pro Football Focus), committing costly turnovers, missing critical kicks, and failing to flip field position. What makes this more frustrating is that the Broncos have championship aspirations—yet their special teams have already cost them at least three games this season, turning potential wins into losses and eroding the confidence of players and fans alike. Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos isn’t just a harsh critique; it’s a recognition of a crisis that, if unaddressed, could derail the Broncos’ playoff run before it even begins.

Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos gains depth by examining the field goal and extra point struggles that have plagued the unit all season. Kicker Wil Lutz, who signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Broncos in 2024, has been anything but reliable: he’s made just 76% of his field goal attempts (25 of 33), well below the league average of 84%, and has missed four extra points—including a crucial one in a 22-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6. The misses haven’t just been from long range, either; Lutz has failed on three attempts from 40 yards or closer, including a 38-yarder that would have tied the game against the Raiders with 20 seconds left. Beyond Lutz, the Broncos’ kickoff unit has been equally ineffective: they rank 28th in kickoff return average allowed (24.1 yards per return), with opponents scoring two touchdowns on kickoff returns this season. The root cause? Poor blocking, slow coverage, and a lack of discipline—issues that have persisted despite weekly practice reps and coaching adjustments. For the Broncos, these special teams failures aren’t just statistical blips; they’re game-changing mistakes that have turned winnable contests into defeats.

A critical and embarrassing issue in Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos is the turnover problem on returns, which has gifted opponents easy points and momentum. Punt returner Diontae Spencer, once a reliable asset, has become a liability: he’s muffed four punts this season, losing two of them—including one in the end zone that the Kansas City Chiefs recovered for a touchdown in a 28-25 loss in Week 4. Even when Spencer doesn’t fumble, he’s failed to generate any positive yardage: his average punt return yardage is just 6.2 yards, ranking 29th in the NFL. The kickoff return unit hasn’t fared any better: backup running back Jaleel McLaughlin, who handles kickoff returns, has averaged just 18.3 yards per return, with a long of only 32 yards—never breaking free for the kind of explosive play that can shift momentum. What’s most concerning is the lack of urgency to fix these issues: special teams coordinator Mike Mallory has kept the same returners in place, even as the turnovers and poor yardage continued. For the Broncos, every muffed punt or stagnant return is a missed opportunity to give their offense a short field—or worse, a chance for opponents to score without having to work for it.

Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos is particularly damaging for the Denver Broncos’ playoff hopes, as the unit’s unreliability adds unnecessary pressure to the offense and defense. In the playoffs, where margins are even tighter, a single special teams mistake can be the difference between advancing and going home—and the Broncos’ track record suggests they’re ill-prepared to avoid such mistakes. Consider their Week 12 game against the Buffalo Bills: the Broncos led 24-21 with 3 minutes left, but Lutz missed a 44-yard field goal that would have extended the lead to six points. The Bills then drove down the field and scored a touchdown to win 28-24—all because the special teams couldn’t seal the game. For the Denver Broncos, this pattern is unsustainable: their offense and defense can’t be expected to compensate for a special teams unit that gives away points and field position. The playoffs will bring even tougher opponents—teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, who have elite special teams units—and the Broncos’ struggles will likely be exploited. Without a sudden turnaround, the Denver Broncos’ special teams could become the fatal flaw in an otherwise championship-caliber roster.

Another alarming dimension of Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos is the coaching and accountability gap that has allowed these issues to persist. Special teams coordinator Mike Mallory, who was hired in 2024, has failed to implement a coherent strategy or fix obvious weaknesses. Players have spoken anonymously about confusion in practice: “We’re always changing our coverage schemes, but we never get enough reps to master them,” one special teams player told The Denver Post. “By the time we get to game day, half the guys don’t know their assignments.” Mallory has also been slow to make personnel changes: even after Spencer’s fourth muffed punt, he kept him as the primary punt returner, citing “trust in his experience.” For the Denver Broncos, this lack of accountability is unacceptable—especially when other teams (like the Chiefs and 49ers) have turned their special teams into strengths through consistent coaching and personnel adjustments. The Broncos’ front office has remained silent on the issue, but fans have made their frustration clear: booing Lutz after misses and calling for Mallory’s job on social media. For the Denver Broncos, the time for patience is over; if they want to win a Super Bowl, they need to hold their special teams coordinator and players accountable for their failures.

Finally, Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos raises questions about the front office’s failure to invest in special teams talent. While the Broncos spent big on offense (signing J.K. Dobbins and Mike McGlinchey) and retained key defensive players (Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons), they neglected to upgrade their special teams unit in free agency or the draft. They didn’t sign a backup kicker to push Lutz, didn’t draft a dynamic returner to replace Spencer, and didn’t add any proven special teams coverage players. This lack of investment has left the unit with a mix of practice squad players and role players who lack the skill or experience to compete at a high level. For the Broncos, this is a costly oversight: special teams can account for 10-15 points per game, and teams that win Super Bowls almost always have strong special teams units. As the Broncos head into the playoffs, they’re left hoping for a miracle—a sudden improvement from a unit that has shown no signs of getting better. Absolutely Useless Special Teams for the Denver Broncos wraps up with a stark reality: the Broncos have a championship-caliber offense and defense, but their special teams are a joke. If they don’t fix this unit immediately, all their hard work this season will be for nothing—and their playoff run will end in disappointment.