The Denver Broncos are bringing Robert Livingston back to the NFL, hiring the Colorado defensive coordinator as their defensive passing-game coordinator, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
Livingston moves to Denver after serving on Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado, where he was tasked with guiding the Buffaloes’ defense. His new role with the Broncos will focus specifically on the team’s pass defense, working to refine coverages, matchups, and overall strategy against increasingly pass-heavy NFL offenses.
By adding a dedicated defensive passing-game coordinator, Denver is signaling an emphasis on tightening its coverage schemes and improving performance against opposing quarterbacks and receivers. In this position, Livingston is expected to collaborate closely with the defensive coordinator and position coaches, including those responsible for the secondary and linebackers, to align the back-end coverage with the overall defensive game plan.
The move marks a return to the professional ranks for Livingston, who has prior NFL experience before his time at Colorado. His background at both the college and professional levels gives him familiarity with developing defensive concepts against a wide range of offensive systems, from spread formations to more traditional pro-style attacks.
With the Broncos competing in an AFC landscape that features several high-level passing offenses, Livingston’s work will likely center on helping Denver refine its coverage communication, disguise pre-snap looks, and adjust in-game to various route concepts. His responsibilities are expected to include studying opponent passing tendencies, contributing to weekly game plans, and helping implement adjustments on the sidelines and in the film room.
While specific staffing titles and reporting lines within Denver’s defensive structure have not been publicly detailed, the addition of a defensive passing-game coordinator typically indicates a more specialized approach to game planning and player development in the secondary. The Broncos will look to Livingston to bring fresh ideas and detailed preparation to that part of the defense as he transitions from Boulder back to the NFL.
Further terms of Livingston’s agreement with the Broncos, including contract details and any additional staff changes connected to his arrival, were not disclosed.
