Broncos Did Nothing To Give Bo Nix Some Deadline Help

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix needed help at the deadline, but management left him high and dry at the trade deadline. Running back, tight end and the offensive line were all mentioned as positions of need, but instead the Broncos were content to make a small move to bolster their defensive depth with a minor trade for Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley. 

Henley is basically a depth player at linebacker, which makes the move fine for what it is. But columnist Sean Keeler of the Denver Post made a great point when he compared it to the move the Kansas City Chiefs just made to help Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

The two teams are division rivals sitting a half-game apart in the standings, so in that sense it’s a valid comparison. Mahomes has a great running back but not enough receivers, while Nix has plenty of receivers but not enough of a ground game to go with them, so there’s an analogy to be worked there. 

The move the Chiefs made was to acquire receiver Josh Downs, who was basically the best option on the market when the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled Brian Thomas Jr. on the day of the deadline. 

The Broncos had other options. They were rumored to be in on the sweepstakes for running back Jonathan Taylor, who was reportedly available, and coach Sean Payton reportedly asked around the league searching for the “joker” tight end of his dreams. 

There were even offensive line options to bolster a unit that has interior problems. But the Broncos chose not to go there, either, even though the cost probably would have been cheaper. 

We’re about to see who did the right thing here. Downs is considered a near-perfect fit for Kansas City, provided he can learn the playbook in a hurry, which won’t be easy given how Mahomes runs the options and the sheer number of play permutations the Chiefs have. 

If that move works, the Chiefs offense will open back up, and the Broncos will have done nothing on offense to counter. They’re winning games with their defense, and that’s going to have to continue. 

Nix has been better of late, and the Broncos are gambling that rookie running back Jonah Coleman can continue to make plays. But the Broncos are paper thin at running back right now, and receiver Jaylen Waddle has been a major disappointment so far, which could mean Denver’s choice turns out to be an opportunity lost.