The Broncos’ 2021 offensive staff featured two former head coaches, in OC Pat Shurmur and offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Nathaniel Hackett‘s first Denver staff looks like it will feature less experience.
Munchak, Denver’s O-line coach for the past three seasons, is unlikely to return under Hackett, Mike Klis of 9News notes. Although Klis adds one year remains on Munchak’s contract, the zone-blocking scheme Hackett plans to reinstall in Denver does not mesh with the concepts Broncos linemen utilized under Munchak.
[RELATED: Broncos To Interview Packers’ Justin Outten For OC]
Widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top O-line coaches, Munchak has received offers from other teams since the Broncos fired Vic Fangio, Klis adds. Munchak, 61, interviewed for Denver’s HC job in 2019 and ended up joining Fangio’s staff. Although the prospect of Munchak staying on in a different role under Hackett is in play, given his contract status, it appears likely another team will employ him next season. Prior to coming to Denver, Munchak spent five seasons as Pittsburgh’s O-line coach. The Hall of Fame offensive lineman was the Titans’ head coach from 2011-13.
Broncos assistant O-line coach Chris Kuper could move into Munchak’s role, with Klis adding 49ers assistant O-line coach Butch Barry is also expected to be interviewed for the job. Prior to receiving training in Kyle Shanahan‘s offense, Barry spent the 2020 season as a Packers assistant alongside Hackett.
Please come back to the Steelers
Agreed. Would be nice to see him back on the sidelines. Could use him now that there will be a reboot on the line.
Nutting takes deserved grief for being cheap, when will the Rooneys? The Steelers are known for paying their assistant coaches poorly.
They should pay up to bring back Munchak, their line has been bad since he left.
A) if they pay poorly then why do they stay for so long?
B) the line has aged since he left, hit with injuries and retirement.
A) They just lost their O line coach to a college team. Midseason. For the same job.
Name a Steelers assistant coach who has been in demand lately? Where else are they going.
B) All true. They’d still be better having a great O line coach than not.
Munchak moved to Denver specifically to be closer to his daughter, supposedly. He wasn’t going to take any other job at the time, if that’s true. I doubt it was because the Steelers simply didn’t pay enough.
Munchak was actually one of the few they paid well.
Point is, they should pay what it takes to get him back.
Agreed there. Pittsburgh does also need to make a massive investment roster-wise in the group, which may take a while.
Steelers need to find a way to bring him back.
Denver would be absolutely awful to lose Munchak. His presence there noticeably turned their offensive line, which previously was one of the worst in the NFL, into a respectable unit. Garrett Bolles in particular went from one of the most penalized and overall inconsistent pass blockers to the top rated left tackle in the league under Munchak.
Hackett may like his own subordinate better, but Munchak is objectively one of, if not the, best offensive line coaches in the league. The Broncos have the advantage of having Munchsk’s family being nearby, and should do all they can to retain him in a year that will very likely see them featuring a new quarterback.
Munchak is 61 and has made a lot of money during his professional career. While the Steelers could certainly use his help, perhaps he will decide to retire and stay close to his family. What’s so wrong with that?
Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Us steeler fans are just a little greedy, that’s all.
Steelers need a lot more than Munchak to fix their shortcomings.
Buffalo has an opening for OL coach
Should bring him back as Offensive line coach and the potential to move in OC or even Head Coach
Steelers fans obviously didn’t watch many bronco games. In big moments the oline always laid an egg played uninspired and got the qb hurt each of the last 2 seasons…you can have him.