Preseason is the time for knee jerk reactions, and it’s clear the Denver Broncos are a different, dynamic, and improved team in 2024.

Sean Payton’s second season isn’t going to be like his first with the Broncos; he’s put his stamp on this year’s squad.

From drafting Bo Nix in the first round to rebuilding the receiver room, these 2024 Broncos are an upgraded team.

These 2024 Denver Broncos are different, will be much better offensively

The Broncos have been so awful on offense lately, it’s offensive. Denver’s been in the bottom-quarter of the league in points scored five of the last eight years. And they were dead-last in points in 2022.

Under Payton last year, they saw a marked uptick, finishing 19th at 21 points per game. But these Denver Broncos are different. They’re faster, more athletic, and more electric.

That’s true of quarterback Bo Nix compared to Russell Wilson, but of the offense as a whole, too.

Payton decided to start Jarrett Stidham ahead of Nix in the first preseason game, which was a bit of a head scratching move. Why not let Nix, your first-round quarterback, play with the 1s?

Well, the old head coach may have known what he was doing because Stidham got only two drives, and 11 total plays. Nix, meanwhile, got 36 plays and did great while he was in the game.

With Stidham in the game, Denver’s offense was much like it was in 2023. It was conservative, featuring short plays and runs. For instance, on 3rd and 18 Stidham threw an under route to Greg Dulcich for 5 yards. That’s just not going to get it done in the NFL.

Stidham’s second drive ended in an interception that wasn’t his fault, but the offense gained a mere 53 yards on two drives with him at QB.

Then, it was Nix time.

The rookie wasn’t perfect; he had multiple inaccurate throws on his first drive. But one that was on the money was a 22-yard go route to Josh Reynolds that the receiver let go through his hands. Denver kicked a field goal to end the drive.

Nix’s second drive included a scramble and throw for a completion, a designed run outside to the left for 11 yards, and a one-yard touchdown strike.

The quickness in which Nix made the throw, the speed of the ball, and the accuracy were all top-notch.

On the team’s 2-minute drive, Nix showed why he’s a great fit for Payton’s offense, which loves passes in the middle of the field. The rookie quarterback went to tight end Lance Krull on back-to-back short throws over the middle resulting in 16-yard gains. Then, a deep ball to Devaughn Vele was short but resulted in a pass interference and 29-yard gain.

The drive ended with a field goal make. But Payton was able to orchestrate his offense with Nix better than we saw all 2023 with Wilson.

Nix led the Broncos to one more touchdown drive after halftime, and finished 15-21 for 125 yards and 1 touchdown. One can’t help but notice that 71% is similar to his NCAA-leading 77.4% at Oregon last year.

Bo Nix will be the Broncos starter after his great game Sunday

Nix already was going to be the starter in Week 1 and going forward. But his fantastic performance today cemented him as Denver’s No. 1 QB. Even if the team’s initial depth chart put him at No. 3.

The reason why he’ll start ahead of Stidham and Zach Wilson is because he’s able to make a wide variety of throws, and make plays with his legs.

As we experienced on Sunday, Nix was superb on out routes. On one throw, he climbed the pocket to hit Courtland Sutton for 22 yards.

And he followed it up with a throw outside to Josh Reynolds for a first down. Plus, the touchdown to Mims was on an out route. Nix was able to show off his accuracy on those plays.

He also connected with Krull on those middle routes, hit Jaleel McLaughlin on a wheel route for 22 yards, and completed to David Sills on a crossing route.

Basically, in about a half a game of play, Bo Nix showed he can make all the throws on the football field. And when he’s rushed, he can make throws on the move, or simply take off for yards.

Nix is the kind of dynamic player Payton needs to run his offense. In fact, he looks a lot like a young Drew Brees. And the young quarterback is the biggest reason why we’ll see a huge improvement offensively.

Now, will the Broncos make the playoffs this year? Let’s not go that far.

We’re not sure how well this defense will play after losing multiple starters from 2023. And Nix will certainly struggle at times.

But the offense will help prove these Denver Broncos are different in 2024.