Latest news with #BoNix
New York Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
How the offseason competition Broncos coach Sean Payton covets has changed form
The task of overhauling a roster to fit a winning mold is rarely pretty. About 18 months ago, as the Denver Broncos wrapped up a dismal 8-9 season, the work ahead felt like, in the words of head coach Sean Payton, misery, sorrow and drudgery. 'Give me some other adjectives there,' Payton added, wanting to jackhammer the point home. 'That was brutal. Let's say that.' Advertisement By training camp, though, the cloud had lifted. Payton had found his new quarterback, Bo Nix, in the NFL Draft. He and the Broncos had set up an offseason, after moving on from several veteran players, that was refreshingly competitive across the roster. Numerous starting and depth spots were up for grabs. There was an infusion of youth into the group. Drudgery soon gave way to optimism. 'There's a new energy to it,' Payton said as camp began last year. 'There's a lot of competition for jobs. That's encouraging. Those who watched (the 2023 offseason), maybe you see something that's different. Certainly, I feel like it's been different.' That competition served as the foundation of what became Denver's first playoff season in nine years. But it has taken on a new form as the Broncos prepare for a 2025 season that comes with heightened expectations. They are returning 86 percent of the players from last year's roster, according to Over The Cap, which is the highest rate in the league. Payton has a far clearer picture of his group and its capabilities. Still, creating competition this offseason is paramount to the culture Payton and the Broncos have been building. That's particularly true on offense, where the Broncos still have ample room to grow despite last season's promising strides behind Nix. 'There are a number of young players competing not so much for spots, but competing for touches,' Payton said last week as the Broncos began OTA practices. Before diving into how that competition could unfold throughout the rest of the offseason and even into the regular season, let's take a look at how touches were distributed in Denver's offense last season. Players no longer with the Broncos are denoted with an asterisk: The chart above makes it easy to see why running back could be the most competitive room on Denver's roster this offseason. Javonte Williams, who joined the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, led the Broncos in touches per game last season. He also ranked first on the team in carries (139) and second in receptions (52). He was second among skill players in snaps played (574), behind only wide receiver Courtland Sutton. That snap count was the highest for a running back since Melvin Gordon had 627 snaps in 2020. Despite his struggles running the ball (3.7 yards per game), the trust the Broncos placed in Williams as a receiver and pass protector kept him on the field. Advertisement Rookie running back RJ Harvey figures to take a sizable chunk of the Williams pie this season. The Broncos believe their second-round pick out of Central Florida has the ability as a lead ball-carrier to immediately inject new life into Denver's running game, which sagged at inopportune times last season. That will be his primary job. In two practices open to the media this offseason, Harvey has been given ample work in the passing game as he prepares for the kind of multifaceted responsibilities required of running backs in Payton's offense. The early returns have been promising, with the obvious caveat that he hasn't yet put on pads and been asked to stonewall a blitzing linebacker. 'You know he can run the ball,' Nix said, 'but I think it's the other things that he's (already) showing. Just the routes, (his) suddenness and quickness in his hands. I think all that's really good to see, but he's a great guy, first and foremost. I think it's going to translate for him being a successful player.' This offseason will be critical not only in determining how much of the Williams workload can be transferred to Harvey, but also who else will earn touches at the position alongside him. In some ways, second-year running back Audric Estimé and Harvey are on similar footing. Estimé, a fifth-round draft pick of the Broncos last season, didn't have a seamless rookie season. He suffered an injury on his first carry that landed him on IR. He also fumbled on that Week 1 carry, and early ball-security issues stalled his progress. Estimé had the look of an impactful downhill runner at times. He notably showcased 'the physicality that got him drafted,' as Payton described it, during Denver's narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 and in other snapshots during the second half of the season, but he never cemented himself inside an oft-fluctuating rotation. '(It was) a little bit harder for him last year, for a handful of these guys,' Payton said. 'I don't want to say the grade was incomplete, but they just didn't have enough (touches). He's a back that requires enough touches. He's going to get those opportunities.' Advertisement Estimé will have to take advantage of those chances in the offseason because the three other running backs in the room — Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson — are also trying to fight their way into the mix. McLaughlin, entering his third season, was third on the team last season with 572 yards from scrimmage and second in overall touches. The drafting of Harvey and the curiosity about Estimé's development have made McLaughlin something of the forgotten man in Denver's backfield this offseason, but he could have something to say about where some of the running back chances go in critical situations this season because of his experience. In the passing game, the Broncos return three of their top four receivers from last season in terms of receptions: Sutton (81), Devaughn Vele (41) and Marvin Mims (39), who were also Denver's three leaders in receiving yards. Veteran tight end Evan Engram, who had 114 receptions for the Jacksonville Jaguars just two seasons ago, was added in free agency and wide receiver Pat Bryant was drafted in the third round. Add in what is expected to be a sizable role in the passing game for Harvey, and Nix has three new targets he is trying to work into the group he grew comfortable with as last season progressed. 'My job is to just make them a part of the team and help them with the transition,' Nix said of Denver's new skill-player additions. 'I feel like all the new guys have really bought in. They've been around, they've been getting to know everybody and we got really good pickups this offseason. I'm excited to see them play.' The tight end spot will transform the most. That position for the Broncos last season produced 51 total touches. Engram had 47 touches by himself in 2024, in only nine games. If Engram is healthy this season, he could conceivably lead Denver in targets, and that would change the complexion of shares elsewhere. Mims, Vele and Troy Franklin, who scored Denver's lone touchdown in the wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, could rightly envision themselves having 'ascensions,' as Payton put it, in the Broncos' offense this season. But the math suggests the Broncos can't ramp up production for all three targets while building more of the passing game around Engram, incorporating Bryant and continuing to feed Sutton at a high level. So how will the distribution shake out? Time will tell how the one football Nix has on each play gets spread around. Most importantly for now, Payton has the competitive environment he craves — even if this one has taken on a different form. (Top photo of RJ Harvey: Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bo Nix Makes Clear Statement on Offseason Plans Monday
Bo Nix Makes Clear Statement on Offseason Plans Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Broncos took a hiatus from OTAs (Organized Team Activities) in preparation for their resumption June 3 through 5 at Broncos Park in Englewood, Colorado, with quarterback Bo Nix and his teammates taking center stage after last year's playoff run. Advertisement Head coach Sean Payton called his communications with Nix "a lot different" and more streamlined now that he has a playoff clinching season under his belt, a welcome development for Denver fans hoping for a return to the franchise's first Super Bowl since 2016. Nix took to the podium to share his thoughts on a topic of interest Monday as coach Payton's team prepared to resume voluntary workouts on the practice field Tuesday. Bo Nix attempts to shake a tackle vs. Buffalo on Jan. 12, 2025. © Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "I'm in a great spot, you know, Denver's an unbelievable city, great city to live in, a lot of people want to be here and I'm fortunate to have been picked to play for the city so you know we just want to make sure that we're doing everything we can to embrace the situation," Nix said in a video posted to X on Monday. Advertisement "I just enjoy being here, so that's where I want to spend my offseasons," Nix added. The former Oregon Ducks star was drafted with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft and signed a fully guaranteed, four-year, $18.6 million contract with a $10.356 million signing bonus. His contract runs through 2028, giving he and his Broncos teammates plenty of time to make a run at a Super Bowl appearance. Related: Sean Payton Reveals Huge Role for Broncos $23 Million Offseason Addition This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bo Nix's situation 'entirely different' going into 2nd season
Bo Nix's situation 'entirely different' going into 2nd season New year, new Bo? Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix earned an invite to the Pro Bowl as an alternate last year after surpassing 4,200 yards from scrimmage and scoring 34 touchdowns as a rookie. Nix struggled early, but once he adjusted to the pro game, the QB looked sharp and helped the Broncos qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Now, with 17 games in the NFL under his belt, Nix's command of the offense is at a different level. 'It's a lot different," Broncos coach Sean Payton said last Thursday when asked what's different with Nix going into his second season. "We don't use that term, 'Pick up where we left off,' but just the processing [and] understanding of what we're doing in and out of the huddle. These three days — as you're watching each decision, [the throws are] where you want the ball to go. I think it's entirely different.' Nix has a better grasp of the offense, and it's clear that he's no longer a rookie. DNVR's Zac Stevens observed at last week's open practice that Nix was coaching up teammates more often than he did in 2024. "I feel like I'm a lot further [along]," Nix said last week. "Just spitting out play calls a lot easier and just processing. ... It's a lot better and a lot more enjoyable not thinking right now as opposed to what I was doing last year. It's fun, it's fun to be in the know and it's fun to have a little more of an understanding of what's going on so I can be a little more beneficial to others and help them out along the way." Nix later noted that, unlike last year, when he gets to the line of scrimmage now, he's looking at the defense and processing and reacting to them instead of thinking about the offensive play or his footwork or a motion. His offensive responsibilities are second nature now, allowing him to focus on attacking the defense on each play. "I feel good," Nix said. "We're in a good spot.' Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Julius Thomas gives his prediction for Bo Nix's second season
Julius Thomas had a relatively brief but impactful career with the Denver Broncos. Playing for the club from 2011-2014, Thomas recorded two Pro Bowl seasons in 2013 and 2014. In those two seasons, he tallied 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns, becoming one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets. So when it comes to the Broncos, he's certified. This is why, after nailing his Bo Nix prediction in 2024, he's back for a second prediction for Nix in his sophomore season. Thomas stated that Nix, although it may have been uncertain for Broncos Country then, would be pleased with Nix as the quarterback. This year, Thomas sees growth due to how Nix came in and learned Sean Payton's system at a rapid pace. Thomas elaborates more below. Nix showed he could be an elite quarterback in college, playing for two teams and five different offensive coordinators in five years. Despite that, he left the NCAA as the single-season completion percentage leader in 2024. So, with stability in the NFL, Thomas has merit in believing that Nix will make an even bigger jump in 2025. Advertisement Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Julius Thomas gives his prediction for Bo Nix's second season
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch 41 minutes of highlights from Bo Nix's rookie season
Watch 41 minutes of highlights from Bo Nix's rookie season The Denver Broncos drafted Bo Nix in 2024 to make him their franchise quarterback. After the quarterback's illustrious career with the Auburn Tigers and the Oregon Ducks, it appeared that Sean Payton got his man after doing his homework. And if the 2024 NFL season was an indicator, Payton was right. Nix threw for 3,775 yards and 27 touchdowns compared to just 12 interceptions. The rookie quarterback also rushed for 430 yards and scored four times on the ground last season in addition to hauling in a touchdown catch. Nix and his play led the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season. And what makes Nix and his performance more impressive? Payton's offense was Nix's sixth consecutive new offense, dating back to his five years in college. With that said, check out 41 minutes -- yes, 41 minutes -- of Nix and his highlights as a rookie below. Although it's lengthy, it's worth the watch: Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
