The Denver Broncos’ offense over the past two seasons has been good, but it has lacked that something extra to elevate it to a great offense. The team identified this as an issue this offseason and went out and acquired explosive wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade.
On Tuesday, the media was able to ask Bo Nix about this addition for the first time, and the Broncos’ franchise quarterback seems pretty excited about the addition of Waddle.
Nix bluntly said that Waddle has an element of explosiveness that he thinks the offense has lacked for the past couple of years. He adds that they have had plenty of explosive plays, but never really had a guy who could take it 75 or 80 yards in one play and score a touchdown.
“There’s an element of explosiveness that I think as an offense we’ve lacked for a couple years. We’ve had plenty of explosive plays, plenty of points, all that kind of stuff. We’ve made great strides, but there was a level of explosiveness that a guy like that adds. So you could be first-and-10 and starting a drive and go one-and-done because he takes it 75, 80 yards. That’s the kind of weapon that we added, and that’s I think what we all have been out here watching and sort of really enjoy watching. Just seeing him get out here and move and run around. You just can’t replace speed. That’s just what he brings to the table. He’s extremely fast with the ball in his hands. He looks like he doesn’t really slow down to make cuts, which is pretty tough to do for a fast guy. He’s just going to add an element of relief for everybody else and take a little bit of the touches so that other guys don’t have to take them all. Once those guys take them, they’re fresh and ready to take them. I think a guy like that makes everybody on the offense better, and then it obviously helps the defense in the same way.”
Nix mentions how the addition of Waddle adds an element of relief for everyone else, and I completely agree. He is going to open up everything for everyone else. All the attention will be on him. Likely the team’s best corner will be on Waddle, which will allow Courtland Sutton to thrive more, and then Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims, and Troy Franklin can all do work against a team’s 3rd or 4th best corner. Waddle’s ability to keep safeties honest will also open up the middle of the field for the Broncos running backs and tight ends, which we know Sean Payton loves to feature in the offense.
Waddle has been the talk of the offseason thus far, and rightfully so. He looks quick; we know he’s fast, and we have seen what he can do on the football team. Now, he’s being entered into a Sean Payton/Davis Webb offense with a healthy Bo Nix throwing him the ball?
The sky is the limit for Nix, Waddle, and the Broncos offense this upcoming season.
