The Denver Broncos are currently sitting at 4-2 on the season and are right in the middle of the AFC playoff picture, which looks great on paper. In many ways, Sean Payton and company have followed the same blueprint as last year: a mistake-free offense to complement a great defense.
But dig a little deeper, and things haven't been all pretty for the Broncos. Bo Nix and the offense have consistently struggled to move the ball and score points this season, even in games they have won. First-time offensive coordinator Davis Webb had play-calling duties stripped from him after just four weeks, as Payton took the playsheet back in an attempt to fix the offense.
Apparently, that wasn't the only major change that Denver made amid its offensive struggles. Payton changed the entire offense back to the terminology that he had used with Nix in 2024 and 2025, according to NFL insider Jay Glazer.
“The Broncos changed their offensive terminology when Davis Webb became OC in the offseason,” Glazer reported, via Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. “When Sean Payton took play-calling duties back from Webb, he switched it back to his terminology. All the changing verbiage has played a role in Bo Nix’s struggles. Payton is confident Nix will be fine.”
Article Continues BelowSo far, that change hasn't made much of a difference. The Broncos produced two of their worst offensive showings of the Bo Nix era over the last two weeks since Payton took over play-calling against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks, even in two Broncos wins.
While Denver has continued to escape with these close games, even against great teams, it's abundantly clear that Nix and this Denver offense have to play much better than this if it is going to help compete for a Super Bowl. The Broncos should be able to remain in the playoff race all season long given their hot start and their great defense, but the Nix-Payton partnership and how the young quarterback turns things around this year will determine their viability as a Super Bowl contender.