If Tom Brady is given some leeway as he adjusts to his new role, perhaps rookie quarterback Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos deserves the same patience. Considering the broader context of what Broncos head coach Sean Payton is aiming to build with Nix over time, it’s understandable that there will be challenging days, such as the recent 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
With the upcoming matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, there are pressing issues to address. Chief among them is how the Broncos strayed from their running game in Seattle—a particular concern given the winnable nature of the game.
Payton acknowledged the team’s offensive balance issues and staunchly defended Nix after the game. “There’s always a balance we strive for, and it’s tough to maintain. We’ll review the tape to assess the run plan and understand why it wasn’t as effective as we hoped,” Payton said post-game. “It’s challenging to play quarterback effectively if the running game isn’t performing well.”
Successful football requires a balanced approach, especially for a rookie quarterback like Nix. With the Steelers’ formidable defense on the horizon, the Broncos’ offensive line must avoid being overpowered as they were in Seattle.
Payton may face criticism for his conservative game plan, particularly since Nix had limited opportunities to make plays until the game was out of reach. Keeping Nix within the structured offense is understandable, but it also limited his chance to showcase his playmaking skills, as evidenced by his strong performance late in the fourth quarter. Payton will need to push for improved performance from the team to better support the rookie quarterback in all aspects of the game.
“We need to be more effective running the football,” Payton emphasized. “If you remove Nix’s scrambling yards, we only had around 60 rushing yards compared to their 140. That’s not good enough.”
Nix’s rookie struggles were expected, and Payton was right to stand by him after a tough debut. “He’s confident and competitive. We need to be better around him,” Payton observed. “That’s my initial impression without having reviewed the tape.”
Despite a couple of interceptions and missed passes, Nix showed resilience, bringing his team close to victory with just over two minutes remaining. However, a critical penalty by Broncos rush linebacker Baron Browning on a key 3rd-and-11 play allowed the Seahawks to manage the clock and secure the win. This highlights the Broncos’ ongoing challenge with executing under pressure, a common issue for young teams.
Payton is striving for offensive balance, but finding cohesion in a tough environment like Seattle was always going to be a challenge. Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II expressed his support for Nix post-game, recognizing the need for solidarity.
Despite the rookie’s typical growing pains, he remains committed and determined. “It was a tough day, but we competed and gave ourselves a chance to win,” Nix said. “We fought hard, and even though we came up short, we showed that we’re a competitive team that won’t quit.”
Maintaining a positive outlook is crucial early in the season. Payton summarized Nix’s performance with optimism, stating, “We’ll review the tape, but he gave us a chance. Our protection was average, and I encouraged the receivers to step up and help him out. We need to support this guy and keep pushing forward.”