Zach Azzanni, Broncos’ longest-tenured assistant, to become Jets receivers coach

The Broncos’ longest-tenured assistant coach is headed to New York.

Zach Azzanni, Denver’s receivers coach for the past five seasons, is joining the Jets staff in the same position, league sources confirmed. With New York, Azzanni reunites with former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who is the new Jets offensive coordinator.

Azzanni survived the firings of three head coaches during his tenure in Denver (Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio and then Hackett with two games remaining in 2022). He started his NFL coaching career with the Bears.

Under Azzanni’s watch, Tim Patrick went from an undrafted free agent to a starter with a multi-year deal, and Courtland Sutton became a Pro Bowl receiver. But on the flip side, first-round pick Jerry Jeudy has been inconsistent, and KJ Hamler has been oft-injured as the Denver offense sputtered under Fangio and then came to a screeching halt under Hackett, ranking last in the NFL at 16.9 points per game.

Since Sean Payton was officially hired as the franchise’s 20th head coach Feb. 3, the Broncos hired Ben Kotwica as special teams coordinator, Declan Doyle as tight ends coach and Zach Strief as offensive line coach. Payton has been busy conducting interviews for both coordinator positions, including interviewing Saints quarterback coach Ronald Curry for the OC job, plus Sean Desai, Vance Joseph and Rex Ryan for the DC job.

Indications are line coach Marcus Dixon and defensive backs coach Christian Parker, the lone holdover assistants from Hackett’s tenure, will keep their jobs in Denver once a new defensive coordinator is named.

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