Riley Dixon moves on, leaving Broncos searching for new punter

Riley Dixon is leaving the Denver Broncos for a second time. But this time, it’s of his own volition.

The 10-year veteran agreed on a 2-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, ending his second stint with the Broncos after two seasons. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the deal, which is worth $6 million.

Dixon rejoined the Broncos in 2023 after being away for five years.

On balance, Dixon was mid-tier for the Broncos last season, with these rankings among 34 punters with at least 20 punts:

• Net average: 10
• Touchback percentage: 16
• Percentage of punts inside the 20: 15
• Gross average: 22

RILEY DIXON AND HIS PATH TO THIS POINT

Originally brought aboard as a seventh-round draft pick in 2016, the Broncos traded Riley Dixon to the New York Giants two years later when then-special teams coordinator Tom McMahon jettisoned him in favor of Marquette King, who lasted barely a month into the subsequent regular season. Meanwhile, Dixon punted four seasons for the Giants.

After a year with the Los Angeles Rams, Dixon returned to the Broncos in Sean Payton’s first offseason as part of a special-teams overhaul.

But now that phase is in flux again, as new coordinator Darren Rizzi takes over for Ben Kotwica. Special-teams assistant Chris Banjo also left to become the New York Jets’ special-teams coordinator.

Dixon is the second significant special-teams departure in free agency so far. The Broncos lost Tremon Smith to the Houston Texans on Monday, but they did retain long snapper Mitchell Fraboni on a three-year deal.

For Dixon, the move gives him a chance to reunite with his old special-teams coach from the New York Giants, Thomas McGaughey. He worked with Dixon from 2018 through 2021 and joined the Buccaneers staff last season.

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