Whether it’s new Broncos receiver Jaylen Waddle or new offensive coordinator Davis Webb — or just another year of Bo Nix heroics — the Broncos’ offense is what fans say excites them the most for the upcoming season after the first week of training camp.
And it makes the most sense.
While paying attention to the offense is usually the main event for training camp, this offseason’s changes do make it the most intriguing aspect of the team. And so far, all those changes seem to be paying off.
Waddle has
jumped right into the offense as well as team culture. And he couldn’t be happier with his quarterback.
“Bo is great,” Waddle said. “Last week he saw me thinking about the plays, and he kind of just walked up to me and said, ‘Hey brother, don’t think, just play. I got you,’ and he’s been having me. I love Bo.”
That’s music to Davis Webb’s ears because there’s no bigger sigh of relief for an OC than knowing his QB and new star wideout are getting along.
But even more important than that is just overall growth year to year for Nix. And Webb is confident No. 10 is where he should be heading into year three.
“I’m really satisfied where he’s at, both getting in and out of plays, getting to the huddle, getting in and out of the huddle fast, checking plays when it’s appropriate, not overthinking, getting completions underneath and using his feet,” Webb said. “I think the injury last year, it was important for him to kind of move around a little bit early here and I think he’s done a really good job. I’m really satisfied with where he is.”
It’s not just Nix’s surgery recovery that is impressing Webb, either. It’s the cerebral part of the game that is getting better for Nix too.
“He’s not someone who’s slow to progress and slow to process; it’s the other way. So there are sometimes where he’s through one so fast where one’s going to be… But I’d rather deal with that than the slow processor who’s getting sacked that doesn’t,” Webb said. “He can get through a progression really fast. I’ll be honest with you, his movement that we’re seeing right now is back to where it was. There are a few plays where maybe he gets closed offers, but his health looks really good.”
Sean Payton also noted Nix’s progress as training camp began, particularly in reading defenses.
“I think to simplify all of it, the sub-defenses, the third-down defenses that they face in our league sometimes can be a little bit more complex. I think it begins to slow down a little bit when you get into Year 2, Year 3. You begin to see and maybe not get fooled as much,” Payton said. “There are certain indicators, certainly we get a lot of pressure from our defense, and you’re always working to find those tells to help the quarter. So I think in that area, he’s a lot further along.”
Webb’s detailed comments and Payton’s obvious interest in the development of the quarterback he specifically wanted to draft, also make the revised working relationship between Webb and Payton an intriguing one, which also seemed to be a big interest among fans (and full disclosure, my poll choice).
The head coach gave some interesting hints as to how the new play calling scenario is going to work.
“I’m sure in a healthy way… This is going to work,” Payton said when asked how he might interject plays on game day, which will happen. “Yes. Some suggestions, some mandates. (Laughs). It’ll work fine.”
It better.
