The Denver Broncos' Week 9 couldn't have come at a better time. Right now, the Broncos are sitting at 7-2 holding the AFC's No. 2 seed in the playoff picture, and are leading the AFC West by a half-game.
However, Denver goes into their bye week battered and bruised on the injury front. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Riley Moss are recovering from concussions, safety Talanoa Hufanga is recovering from an ankle ailment, and even quarterback Bo Nix has gone through the early-season ringer, facing some neck discomfort during the Week 9 win over the Carolina Panthers.
So how will coach Sean Payton approach the bye week in 2026?
"I think I told you guys this: I went two or three years practicing on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and we were okay,"
Payton said following Sunday's game. "I can't recall the year, but I called Andy [Reid] one year in Philly. He was 9-0 after the bye, and I was waiting for some — and he just said I get (the players and coaches) out of here and I see them the next Monday. And ever since we've done that, we've been pretty good after the bye as well. So, they'll rest."
Since Payton became coach of the Broncos in 2023, Denver has been undefeated (3-0) after their bye week, a trend they hope to continue going into Week 11 against rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Payton won't just be sitting back, though. His preparation for their AFC West rival likely began immediately after the Panthers game. On the player side, injured players will receive treatment at the team's state-of-the-art facility and their world-class recovery options inside, keeping them fresh for the road to the playoffs ahead.
"The guys getting treatment will be in, and everyone else will (break)," said Payton. "At some point, we'll get a jump start on Vegas.”
The grind never stops, but this week, players and coaches can be with their families on a football-filled Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton reveals Broncos’ plan for the bye week
