Broncos Offense Has Been Exhausting To Watch So Far

If you’re tired of watching the Denver Broncos offense struggle, you’re not alone. Quarterback Bo Nix used the word “exhausting” to describe how many of the team’s possessions have gone so far, especially early in games. 

Nick Kosmider of The Athletic described the process as “scratch and claw,” then “rinse and repeat.” Against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, every single possession led to a third-down play until late in the third quarter when the Broncos finally earned a new series on second down instead. 

The conclusion is obvious: The Broncos want to be exlosive, but instead they’re exhausting. As Kosmider noted, they don’t rip off big runs, and the lone big performace came from Jaylen Waddle in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They aren’t generating plays in the passing game either, which adds up to a whole lot of nothing. 

No one has an answer, either, beyond the usual “we need to work on it” pap. Kosmider used some damning numbers, starting with the Broncos’ overall explosive play rate of 9.6 percent being the team’s lowest mark through four games since Sean Payton became head coach in 2023, according to TruMedia. If you want to go back even further, their six explosive rushes of 12 yards or more are the fewest Denver has produced through four games since 2019.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Waddle was supposed to be running free in the middle of the field to help open up the run game, and the Broncos re-signed running back J.K. Dobbins and drafted Jonah Coleman to change the constant series of 2- and 3-yard rushes on first and second down. 

One thing that’s been missing is Nix using his legs to make plays, which makes sense given that he’s coming off a serious ankle injury. But the absence of those plays seems to have deflated the entire offense, with new play-caller Davis Webb struggling to find an updated formula that works. 

Coach Sean Payton understands the level of urgency, as he noted that the Broncos have to “figure it out fast” given that they’re going into Week 5. The Broncos have just 13 first-half points so far, which is last in the NFL. 

The quotes coming out of Denver don’t inspire much confidence. It all sounds a lot like what we were hearing reading last year and throughout the offseason, but so far nothing is changing on the field as the Broncos continue to stumble their way through their early schedule.