Westhoff, 76, experienced vision problems last week and underwent testing, according to NFL Media. After speaking with medical professionals and Broncos head coach Sean Payton, Westhoff decided to step away from the team.
“It’s not easy to make this decision, but it was a wake-up call that I needed to put my health first,” Westhoff said in a statement, via 9News.
Westhoff has spent 33 seasons in the NFL since his first season in 1982. He started as an offensive line and tight ends coach before spending the majority of his career coaching special teams. Westhoff spent three seasons with the Colts (1982-84), 15 with the Dolphins (1986-00), 12 with the Jets (2001-12) and one season (2018) with the Saints when Payton was in charge in New Orleans.
Westhoff, a cancer survivor, went to Denver to oversee the Broncos’ special teams. He and Broncos special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica had previously worked together on the Jets staff from 2009 to 2012.
In 2010, Westhoff received some fanfare for his appearances on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” coverage of Jets training camp. His close kinship with then-Jets coach Rex Ryan was among the program’s highlights.
“He’s a mentor to me,” Ryan said of Westhoff in 2012. “He’s like a big brother.”
“Wow, thanks,” Westhoff said in response. “I’m not old. I think he looks older than me.”
Denver (5-5) has lost two straight games entering Sunday’s home game against Atlanta (6-4). Despite their recent slide, the Broncos are still clinging to the seventh and final spot in the AFC playoff standings.
