The Denver Broncos pairing of Bo Nix and Sean Payton was one of the more exciting developments that unfolded last season. As 2025 approaches, how can the offensive identity continue to grow between the two, and how will the offense take another step forward?
How the Denver Broncos offensive identity can grow with Bo Nix, Sean Payton
It took Bo Nix until Week 4 of his rookie season to throw his first touchdown pass, but after that, he caught fire. He finished the season with 34 total touchdowns and helped lead the Denver Broncos to the first playoff berth in ten years.
How will the two’s pairing going into their second season together help them take a step forward?
What the Denver Broncos’ pairing of Nix/Payton means in year two
During his rookie season, Payton threw a lot at Nix in the offseason program, and as they progressed into the regular season, the rookie quarterback handled the process overload well.
Now that Nix has had a full year in Payton’s system, it’s been clear as day in the offseason program that he’s significantly more comfortable and in command of the operation. Here’s where things can evolve in year two.
What additional wrinkles will Sean Payton add to the offense?
The Broncos’ offense last year had a lot of the key foundational aspects of Payton’s offense that were present throughout the season, but player personnel also dictates a lot of what you can and can’t run. It’s no secret that Payton was not satisfied with the team’s rushing production last season, and the overall lack of a consistent run game was something that handcuffed the Broncos’ offense for a large portion of the season.
If the run game takes off with J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and whoever else is going to be featured at the position, Denver’s play-action game will open up more consistently. The overall lack of a run threat last season allowed defenses to dare Denver to throw the ball, and luckily, Nix was efficient and up for the task on a week-to-week basis.
Nix’s comfort level can help the offense explode in 2025
Going back to Nix’s comfort level in the system, last year, it was evident that he was the engine that kept the Broncos’ offense running. Even with having a library of information thrown his way, Nix’s preparation helped him lead Denver’s offense to success last season, becoming a top-ten scoring unit.
You could see the evolution from Weeks 1-4 to every game after that. He began to master the little nuances that Payton needs from his quarterbacks in order for the offense to thrive. Nix’s ability to get rid of the ball and not take sacks was a key component for that success, and it also showcased that he could analyze and process the volume of information of Payton’s system.
Bo’s weapons and what they mean for the Broncos’ offense
Going into his second season, Nix has more quality weapons around him that could help the offense take off even further. One of the major keys for Payton and his staff is to identify the roles of some of these players and what it means for Nix and the offense.
Top Target: Courtland Sutton
The Sutton-Nix connection fed the offense last season. Sutton had 81 catches on 135 targets, and 57 of his 81 receptions moved the chains for a first down. Sutton even tossed a touchdown pass to Nix just for fun as well.
It’s clear that this connection in the passing game is the most important one for Denver’s offense.
Gadget Players: Marvin Mims/Troy Franklin
Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin’s skill sets are wildcards for Payton’s offense and could help them evolve into an explosive offense this upcoming season. Last year, Mims came on late down the stretch and contributed six touchdowns in a hybrid role that saw him split time outside, in the slot, and in the backfield.
Payton could look to use Mims at an even higher volume this season, despite him playing only 27% of the team’s offensive snaps in 2024.
In regard to Franklin, he played 37% of Denver’s offensive snaps last season and could be in line for more volume in 2025. How he’s used in his snap percentage this upcoming season will be important.
Last year, Franklin was a speed threat that defenses had to account for deep downfield. When he was in, opposing defenses were typically alerted to the fact that he may be trying to get behind them, and Denver’s offense took several shots that never materialized, until the Buffalo Bills playoff game.
Where Denver went wrong with Franklin’s utilization last season was not involving him as much in the short to intermediate passing game from a route running standpoint. We saw him have success on crossing patterns last season at various points of the year, but there was never an emphasis on getting him the ball in space as much as there should have.
Based on the offseason program, it seems like Franklin will have a more well-rounded role this upcoming season.
Major Upgrade: Evan Engram
The addition of Evan Engram is a massive upgrade for the Broncos’ offense at tight end. Engram is the titled ‘Joker’ for Payton, who hasn’t had this role established in Denver’s offense since he took over as the team’s head coach.
Engram’s versatility and athleticism are something Payton targeted in free agency, and he’ll play everywhere, in-line, in the slot, on the outside, and even underneath the formation from time to time.
He’s a threat that can win one-on-one matchups in the middle of the field against inside linebackers, which will help Payton and the offense dictate what they do offensively against the common two-high shells we see in today’s game.
Under the radar: Devaughn Vele/Pat Bryant
Devaughn Vele and Pat Bryant are two players who have the chance to have a big impact as under-the-radar contributors. Vele might not be as much ‘under the radar’ in comparison to Bryant, but I’ll emphasize my projection that they’ll have important contributing roles to Denver’s offense in situations where Sutton and others see extra attention defensively.
Vele and Bryant are my ‘make the defense pay’ candidates.
Wildcard/Flash Player: RJ Harvey
We’ve talked a lot about the run game needing to improve, and the Denver Broncos’ hope is that second-round rookie RJ Harvey can be the catalyst for making that happen.
Harvey has the speed, vision, and flash that could be the wildcard factor in making the offense an explosive unit this upcoming season. He’ll have to earn the job in training camp, but all signs early on indicate that Harvey is going to be a fun player to watch this season.
Broncos’ offensive line continuity is a major key
The Broncos’ offensive line is the foundational key to their potential success, and they’re returning everybody in the starting lineup.
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey are bringing continuity to the offense. Internally, Denver’s offensive line was the team’s highest graded unit according to Sean Payton and general manager George Paton.
“That group played well last year, and it’s an important group,” Payton said. “It’s the one group that permeates your building. So yes, when we watch cut ups, were there runs that we felt like there was more meat on the bone? Yes. We feel like it’s certainly a point of emphasis to improve in that area.”
If this unit can remain healthy this upcoming season, that continuity will help them take a step forward with all of the new pieces around them, and if the running backs can see and hit the hole more consistently this upcoming season, the production of the offense will increase significantly.
