u/richkurt

Sean Payton made it official today with the media saying "We’ll make a change offensively. I’ll call the plays.”

So, let's look at 3 ways the Denver Broncos offense can improve with Sean Payton taking over play-calling.

I looked at a ton of stats from 2025 vs. 2026 and showed how the offense has regressed.

They need to run the ball more effectively and efficiently, better situational play-calling too.

Broncos - Niners preview:

The Denver Broncos are playing the 3-0 San Francisco 49ers on the road this week.

But they are at least getting the Niners at the best time with all their injuries.

It'll still be a tough test with Brock Purdy playing the best football of any QB right now, and Christian McCaffrey on fire too.

The NFL told Sean McVay the DPI wasn't actually called correctly.

But, if that wasn't DPI, it was clearly illegal contact at a minimum.

We're not going to let a call ruin what was a fantastic football game.

Hufanga, Hufanga, Hufanga. He became the first-ever Denver Broncos player to record 2 INTs, 1 pick-6, and 1 sack in a game and only the 5th safety to do so in an NFL game ever.

Other ups include Zach Allen and Brandon Jones. The defense was stellar on Sunday Night Football.

Downs include two DBs and Bo Nix.

Bo Nix's QBR was the lowest of his career last night.

Update: It was also the lowest-graded game in Bo Nix's career according to PFF grade. He earned a mere 37.4 (out of 100). His lowest graded game before that was Tennessee Week 1 last year (40.5).Ironically those are the two lowest-graded QBR games of his career too.

He checked down too much. His negative play rate skyrocketed after being best in the league there (even if the offensive line was partly to blame, he takes some blame too). And even his body language was bad at times.

Can he bounce back? Yes, definitely. But if he does, he can't just be middle-of-the-pack. He needs to improve from last year.

In this weekly roundup of Broncos news:

- Broncos under 9.5 wins? No way
- Conversely, FOX says they are Super Bowl or Bust
- Bo Nix throws a "U Ball"?
- Nix graded 16th by new QBI metric which is...interesting

One week til the Broncos kickoff the 2026 season! Let's go Broncos!

It's Cut Day, but before a majority of the cuts take place, let's shine a light on the guys who performed well on Friday night. (Also, first 14 Broncos cuts included, will update as they come in.)

Sam Ehlinger balled out after his first throw was picked off.

Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin also played well, though I'm not sure either will make the 53-man roster.

Looking forward to seeing who all makes the 53-man roster and what the practice squad ultimately is made of.

Has Jonah Coleman leapfrogged RJ Harvey? And if not, will he later this year?

Similarly, has Pat Bryant positioned himself ahead of Troy Franklin?

And will the team keep Red Murdock at linebacker?

What's the position you're keeping an eye one the most closely, Broncos Country?

A few days ago Sean Keeler suggested the Broncos should bring in Shedeur Sanders to back up Bo Nix. I know fans were upset with how Jarrett Stidham played last Friday, but Sanders isn’t going to happen in Denver. And that’s a very good thing.

What do you think Bo Nix’s statline will look like for this upcoming season?

3 Up, 3 Down in the Week 2 preseason loss.

Bo Nix looked extremely calm, cool and confident in the win. I love how he dropped back, waited a second for RJ Harvey to get open, and threw a perfect ball into the end zone for him.

Unfortunately, Jarrett Stidham looked bad overall, as did the run defense.

After Bo Nix was knocked down in practice on Tuesday by Malcolm Roach, he fired the ball at Roach. A few plays later, Nix pulled Nik Bonitto off the pile as the offense and defense jumped on a fumble.

Nix has that dog in him. The Broncos are ready to take that aggression out on the Packers on Friday.

Sean Payton before the Falcons game said the purpose of preseason is “you want to win everything.”

They made a statement vs. Atlanta and look primed to go all the way this year. Payton agrees this is one of his teams who are good enough to win a Super Bowl. Exciting times in Denver!

I can't wait to see Jonah Coleman play tonight. He's been one of the camp darlings along with Pat Bryant. I hope he runs tough through the tackles.

And I'd love to see Justin Joly get some touches and catches as well.

Here's a look at he Broncos best groupings? Did I get the list right? Which position do you think is the best and deepest for Denver as they get ready to kick off the 2026 season?

Will Denver sign Taysom Hill? And should they? I don't want to see him take snaps from Marvin Mims in the backfield, or Evan Engram at tight end etc.

Also, Nik Bonitto apparently injured during practice Tuesday, but left the field under his own power.

Bo Nix was ranked 18th yet again.

And new stadium renderings released.

Nix was 9th-best in the NFL when blitzed when looking at an increase in EPA/dropback. That's a huge positive going into 2026, especially when considering other analytical stats haven't been kind to him.

One area he does need to improve is over the middle of the field between the numbers. Some great stats from Mina Kimes and me about that, and how Jaylen Waddle will help him improve there.

The Broncos have the 4th-best roster in the NFL. That, per PFSN.

There's no doubt they are strong enough to compete for a Super Bowl again. But no team is perfect and this ranking starts with Denver's worst positional groups and moves toward the best ones. Part 2 will continue from 6th-to-1st.

Bo Nix is better than Lamar Jackson. That's what NFL players said when they voted him at No. 59 and Jackson at 69.

Pro Football Focus lists Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton among their top 25 receivers. Could the Broncos have two 1,000-yard receivers for the first time since 2016?