Latest news with #ChrisBanjo
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Jets Carving New Role With 4th-Round Speedster
Jets Carving New Role With 4th-Round Speedster originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the New York Jets drafted Arian Smith with the fourth-round selection during the 2025 NFL Draft, some of the fan base recoiled. Advertisement Why? Despite leading Georgia in receiving categories last year, he also had one of the highest drop rates in college football. Add in a rough injury history, and many people thought New York reached for Smith. Through the first month of practices at the team facility, though, Smith has been anything but a reach. He has utilized his speed well, and also has made strong strides in catching the football. It is clear that the Jets may have something in the fourth-round project. And they are going to do everything they can to get him on the field as often as possible. Special-teams coordinator Chris Banjo explained exactly how. Advertisement Banjo, himself a former special-teams star, explained that the team was working Smith as a potential punt returner on Thursday. It is, physically, a fit. While Smith is not guaranteed a role in that regard, the fact that he has been willing to work in any capacity shows that the Jets drafted a player committed to the task at hand for the team. ... And someone who may have some hidden gifts that can make him a commodity for New York in 2025. Our bet? The Jets are going to carve out a role for Smith, almost no matter what. And the fact he has started to work on special teams is evidence of that and also shows that he's willing to do whatever he can to see the field. Related: Jets Fans Named Among Worst In NFL Related: Justin Fields Shines At Jets OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos have to fill 5 positions on Sean Payton's coaching staff
The Denver Broncos were hit hard by other clubs poaching coaching staff talent this offseason. The Broncos lost assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo to the New York Jets, passing game coordinator John Morton to the Detroit Lions and tight ends coach Declan Doyle to the Chicago Bears. The 2025 Broncos are the first team since the 2021 Los Angeles Rams to have three coaches poached for coordinator jobs, according to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis. Additionally, Denver fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica and inside linebackers coach Greg Manusky. That gives the team five total positions on Sean Payton's staff that need to be filled this offseason. Broncos coaching staff openings Special teams coordinator Assistant special teams coach Tight ends coach Passing game coordinator Inside linebackers coach Ex-senior personnel executive David Shaw also left for a coaching role with the Lions, but his old position is not necessarily one that needs to be filled. Former New Orleans Saints interim coach/special teams coach Darren Rizzi is considered a top candidate to get the special teams coordinator job in Denver, and Phil Galiano could join him as an assistant. Former New England Patriots tight ends coach Bob Bicknell could be a potential candidate to fill the TEs coach position in Denver, per Klis. Bicknell coached with Broncos senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael with the New Orleans Saints from 2022-2023 when Carmichael was an offensive coordinator. We will track all of Denver's coaching staff moves on Broncos Wire.
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys might poach a coach from Sean Payton's staff
A Denver Broncos assistant coach is in high demand. We already knew Broncos assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo was a candidate for the special teams coordinator openings with the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers. Now a third team has entered the mix. The Dallas Cowboys are also interviewing Banjo for their ST opening, according to a report from ESPN's Todd Archer. Landing a coordinator position this offseason would be an impressive rise for Banjo. He played as a safety and special teams ace in the NFL from 2013-2022 before hanging up his cleats and transitioning to coaching. Broncos coach Sean Payton hired Banjo as an assistant special teams coach in 2023 and after just two years on the job, Banjo is now a candidate for a big promotion. Denver might consider Banjo for its own coordinator opening after firing Ben Kotwica, but Darren Rizzi is believed to be the Broncos' preferred candidate to replace Kotwica. Elsewhere on the coaching front, the Chicago Bears want to interview Denver executive David Shaw and tight ends coach Declan Doyle for their offensive coordinator position. We will track all of the team's coaching staff developments on Broncos Wire.
