The Broncos boasted one of the league’s best defenses in 2025, but head coach Sean Payton is still looking for ways to improve the unit.
To that end, he has spoken with longtime defensive coach Mike Zimmer about a senior position on his staff, per 9News’ Mike Klis. There is mutual interest between the two, but no hire is imminent. Zimmer would likely take on a senior position on Denver’s staff.
Zimmer, 69, has 45 years of coaching experience with 15 years as an NFL defensive coordinator and an eight-season stretch as the Vikings’ head coach. His most recent posting was as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in 2024; before that, he served as a defensive analyst/consultant on Deion Sanders‘ staff at Jackson State (2022) and Colorado (2023). Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator during Sanders’ time in Dallas. The two won Super Bowl XXX together, and Sanders picked up three first-team All-Pro nods from 1996-1998.
Payton and Zimmer do not have any direct history together, but the two are no doubt familiar after facing off several times over the last three decades. Zimmer did work closely with Broncos’ general manager George Paton, who was the Vikings’ assistant GM for much of Zimmer’s time in Minnesota.
Zimmer has run a 4-3 defense during his time as a head coach and coordinator, but that should not affect his ability to contribute to Vance Joseph‘s 3-4 unit. They have not previously coached together, either, but they have run in the same NFL coaching circle for the last two decades.
Adding such an experienced defensive mind certainly does not seem like a bad idea. The Broncos’ defense nearly carried them to the Super Bowl in 2025; if not for Bo Nix‘s injury, they may have faced the Seahawks with a better chance of slowing Sam Darnold and Seattle’s offense. If there is another level to be reached, and Zimmer can help them get there, Denver could be knocking on the door of the Super Bowl once again next season.