Good morning, Broncos Country!
When Rod Smith speaks, you should listen.
One of the best players in Denver Broncos’ history, and one who should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, knows what he’s talking about. The former Broncos receiver was part of the back-to-back Super Bowl-winning teams in Denver, the latter of which is one of the best teams in NFL history.
That 1998 team in particular is the model. A complete team on both sides of the ball that dominated. But it was the offense that put that Broncos team over the top. Led
by Terrell Davis and his 2,000-yard rushing season, one of the best offensive lines in league history, two world-class receivers, a Hall of Fame tight end, and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. That offense could do it all.
But it started with the running game, and brings us to today and the current Broncos team.
On the DNVR podcast on Thursday, Smith told the crew that if Denver gets a running game, Bo Nix will be a top-five quarterback in the NFL.
As Smith said on the show:
“Let me say something really quick: We got Mims, we got Humphries, we got Franklin, we got Bryant … these guys made plays last year like you can’t believe. And I’m like, ‘we got the people.’ If we get this running game going, a true running game, not a run when you need to run. No. No. No.
“Establish the run where people have to fear it and move that box down, bring eight people into the box, I’m telling you, Bo Nix will be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Top five, because there are some great quarterbacks in the league, because of the balance he’ll be able to operate from. He won’t have to win the game himself. He’ll let his team and get the ball into the right hands. And I think Davis Webb is going to have a great job on his hands playing with all of the little toys he’s going to have to play with.”
We saw glimpses of what Denver’s offense could look like before J.K. Dobbins’ season-ending injury. Dobbins was one of the best running backs in the NFL. If Webb, Sean Payton, and the offense can make that consistent in 2026, it opens the whole offense for Nix. It also takes the pressure off him.
Two players Smith didn’t mention will be even better if the Boncos get a consistent running game: Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle. Waddle, in particular, is the offensive weapon that Nix has lacked thus far in his career. And don’t forget about Evan Engram at tight end.
If Denver can get a consistent, effective running game, Nix will be one of the top QBs in the league while also leading one of the best offenses. That also puts the team in a position to stack up wins.
