Broncos hire Livingston as DBs coach, replacing Leonhard after his move to Bills
The Denver Broncos have hired Robert Livingston as their new defensive passing-game coordinator and primary defensive backs coach, bolstering their coaching staff as they aim for a stronger performance in the upcoming season.
Why it matters: The Broncos are looking to improve on a solid but inconsistent 2024 season, where they ranked third in scoring defense but struggled with takeaways. Livingston’s expertise could be key to enhancing their defensive strategy.
- Under Sean Payton's leadership, the Broncos demonstrated strength in pass rush, leading the NFL in sacks for the second consecutive year. However, their turnover margin remains a pressing concern, finishing at minus-3, tied for 26th in the league.
What’s new: Livingston joins the Broncos after serving as the defensive coordinator at Colorado, a role that significantly improved the Buffaloes’ defense from 121st to 43rd in scoring defense within just one season.
- This track record of improvement suggests that Livingston possesses the potential to elevate the Broncos' secondary and overall defensive unit.
Yes, but: While the Broncos excelled in certain defensive metrics, they face challenges in creating turnovers.
- Sean Payton emphasized the importance of this aspect, stating, "From my lens, we won a lot of games by one score or less... The meat on the bone exists with our takeaways. That has to improve."
What to watch: The dynamics between Livingston and the current defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, will be critical as they work together to implement strategies that enhance both pass coverage and interception opportunities.
- Their previous collaboration at the Bengals may facilitate a smoother integration of Livingston’s ideas into the existing system.
The big picture: The hiring of Livingston is part of a broader effort by the Broncos to revamp their staff following the departure of Jim Leonhard, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.
- With recent promotions—including Davis Webb as offensive coordinator and Ronald Curry as wide receivers coach—the Broncos are aiming for a cohesive and adaptive coaching approach to tackle their challenges head-on.
The bottom line: As Denver prepares for the next season, the successful integration of Livingston’s defensive strategies could be pivotal in transforming their gameplay, especially regarding generating turnovers and maintaining a robust defense against high-powered offenses in the league.
