Category: Broncos Buzz

Matt Hasselbeck gives his take on Broncos QB Bo Nix

“It’s not a dink and dunk offense,” Matt Hasselbeck said of Bo Nix’s success with the Broncos.

Colin Cowherd is a Bo Nix and Sean Payton supporter, and he has been on that train since before the 2024 NFL draft. As Payton used to be a frequent guest of his show The Herd while he spent a year away from coaching, Cowherd built up a fond respect for the Broncos coach.

After Payton became Denver’s coach in 2023, Cowherd was a great supporter of his potential culture change and loved the idea of Nix being his quarterback.

So when he brought on Matt Hasselbeck to become a guest on his show this past week, it should come as no surprise that Hasselbeck is a fan of the Nix-Payton dynamic.

According to Hasselbeck, Payton has Nix running a legit pro-style offense: it isn’t a gimmicky offense that relies on deception. You can watch Hesselbeck’s full thoughts on Nix in the clip below.

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Broncos select tight end in 2025 NFL mock draft

The Broncos land tight end Colston Loveland in this 2025 NFL mock draft.

Although the NFL season is in its stretch run, it’s never the wrong time to talk about the NFL draft. 

In the Denver Broncos‘ case, their play slates them to have their first pick in the latter part of the first round. Following the rise of Bo Nix, they need to add complementary pieces to the offense. 

In his recent 2025 NFL mock draft, Cory Kinnan of Daft on Draft has the Broncos selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. Through ten games this season, he has caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also a finalist for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the best tight end in college football.

Here is Kinnan’s commentary on the pick:

The Denver Broncos are the surprise of 2024. Bo Nix is playing better every week, and they keep winning games. Their set of pass catchers, however, can be improved. Sean Payton, the man who utilized the big and athletic Jimmy Graham in New Orleans, lands the big and athletic Colston Loveland.

While Loveland seems ideal, the real work and evaluation begins after the season ends in February.

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Peter Schrager says Broncos made the loudest statement in Week 12

“Here the Broncos are, no complaints, still in the thick of it,” Peter Schrager said of Sean Payton’s playoff-contending squad.

The arrival of Sean Payton promised a cultural change with the Denver Broncos: out would be the loose and unprepared culture that Nathaniel Hackett imposed and the Hollywood attraction that became Russell Wilson. In? A team that would be prepared to contend for an NFL playoff run as the calendar turns to December.

One media member is willing to say the Broncos made the loudest statement in Week 12, as they defeated the Las Vegas Raiders to improve to 7-5. Peter Schrager believes the win helped put the Broncos in the driver’s seat as a significant player in the upcoming NFL playoffs.

“Rookie QB, no bye week until Week 14, and a back-breaking loss on a blocked field goal in Arrowhead… and yet, here the Broncos are, no complaints, still in the thick of it,” Schrager said on Good Morning Football earlier this week.

Following the win over the Raiders, Denver is now set to host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

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Chase Daniel reveals how Bo Nix is breaking NFL defenses

Bo Nix continues to impress Chase Daniel.

When the Denver Broncos drafted Bo Nix, the No. 1 aspect that made him an attractive grab for Sean Payton was his ability to read defenses and process well. In his final season at Oregon, he set the NCAA record for completion percentage in a season (77.4%), and for someone like Payton, a smart quarterback is a great quarterback.

So far, Nix is a strong contender for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s passed for 2,548 yards, 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions. And it appears he’s adapting well, completing just under 65% of his passes. His play has caught the eye of former NFL quarterback Chase Daniels, who has loved how the rookie quarterback has broken down defenses as of late.

In a 14-minute video, Daniels breaks down Nix’s play against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Click the YouTube clip below to check out Daniels’ review of Nix in the entire clip.

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Broncos worked out one player on Saturday

The Broncos worked out left-footed punter Colton Spangler on Saturday.

The Denver Broncos brought in one player for a workout on Saturday.

Because they are facing left-footed Cleveland Browns punter Corey Bojorquez on Monday Night Football in Week 13, the Broncos worked out left-footed free agent Colton Spangler, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Spangler (6-0, 192 pounds) spent five years punting at Maryland, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in 2022. His career punting average of 42.8 ranks third all-time in Terrapins school history. Spangler punted 80 times for 7,695 yards in college.

Denver presumably wanted to give returners Marvin Mims and Tremon Smith practice fielding left-footed punts this week ahead of the Browns game. The Broncos’ own punter, Riley Dixon, is right-footed, and Mims and Smith usually face right-footed punters on game days as well.

In addition to giving Denver’s returners good reps at practice this week, Spangler could also be a fallback option for the Broncos down the road if the team ever has a punter emergency.

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Broncos CB Riley Moss ruled out for ‘MNF’ vs. Browns

Broncos CB Riley Moss (knee) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Browns.

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) has been ruled out for a Monday Night Football clash with the Cleveland Browns after missing all three days of practice this week.

Elsewhere on the team’s final injury report, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) is listed as questionable for Week 13. Reynolds would need to be activated from injured reserve in order to play on Monday.

Denver quarterback Bo Nix (back) has no injury designation.

The team’s final injury report is listed below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Thur Fri Sat Game Status
DL Zach Allen (ankle) Full Full Full
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Full Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full Full Full Questinoable
DL John Franklin-Myers (shoulder) Limited Full Full
QB Bo Nix (back) Limited Full Full
CB Riley Moss (knee) DNP DNP DNP Out

Monday’s game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Playing at home, the Broncos are considered favorites in Week 13.

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Sean Payton mad at himself for not using Marvin Mims at RB sooner

“I’m mad at myself that we didn’t begin looking at this earlier,” Sean Payton said of giving Marvin Mims snaps at running back.

After barely using wide receiver Marvin Mims on offense earlier this season, the Denver Broncos found a creative way to get him more snaps against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10.

Broncos coach Sean Payton installed several plays that feature Mims lining up as a running back, and those plays have had success over the last three games.

Earlier this week, Payton was asked about the new role for Mims.

“I think as a coach, I’m mad at myself that we didn’t begin looking at this earlier,” Payton said Wednesday. “He does such a good job running when you watch him return punts that that vision can carry over to certain runs in your offense and then certain things in the passing game. That third down-and-8 where he kind of leaked out of the backfield, they dropped the coverage, it was hard for them to find… It’s hard to figure out what direction he’s going. It’s allowed us to expand some packages with him.”

Mims has 17 touches (nine catches and eight carries) for 125 yards and a touchdown over the last three weeks, plus five punt returns for 107 yards on special teams. He’s been a dynamic player for Denver, and it’s hard for defenses to matchup against him.

“I think the challenge sometimes [is] we have to know: What do we expect to get when we put him in there?” Payton said. “It’s not him being in there. [It’s] who he’s in there with. If he’s in there with three other receivers and a tight end, you might say it’s ‘01’ [because] there’s no running backs in there. If he’s in there with a fullback… So we do give a lot of thought to what we think we’ll get defensibly based on the other people that are in there with him.”

Mims will continue playing in his hybrid role when the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

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Broncos DL John Franklin-Myers receives Week 12 Game Ball from PFN

“John Franklin-Myers has been more impactful than his numbers all year,” PFN said of the Broncos’ defensive lineman.

The Denver Broncos defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 29-19 this past weekend, and now they are sitting pretty at 7-5. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix in tow, the Broncos appear to be ready to play their best football as November comes to a close and December approaches. 

Denver defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers didn’t record the who’s-who stats for defensive linemen (sacks, tackles, tackles-for-loss) this past week. Still, his performance against the Raiders helped the Broncos hold their division rival to only 19 points and 69 rushing yards. His performance got him a game ball via Pro Football Network for Week 12.

From PFN’s website:

Box-score divers will likely scratch their heads when they see that our Denver Broncos game ball goes to a defensive end who didn’t have a solo tackle, a sack, or a turnover. But John Franklin-Myers has been more impactful than his numbers all year. He’s solid against the run and disruptive against the pass.

On Sunday, Franklin-Myers had a game-high six pressures in 36 pass-rush snaps (16.7%) and helped limit the Las Vegas Raiders to 69 rushing yards in a 29-19 Broncos victory.

Denver had the week’s No. 5 defensive performance entering Monday’s action per DEF+ (82.2) to remain first in the season-long rating (93.1).

Congrats to Franklin-Myers on his accomplishment. Hopefully, he can replicate a similar performance as the Broncos face off against the Cleveland Browns on Monday.

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NBA star Kevin Durant gives his take on Broncos QB Bo Nix

“I like his toughness,” Kevin Durant said of Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Hate or love him, Kevin Durant is an NBA champion and knows what success looks like.

And when you know what success looks like, it doesn’t matter whether it is a sport or skill, you can spot it instantly.

Two-time NBA champion Durant spoke glowingly of Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Nix, who enjoyed a spectacular college career with the Auburn Tigers and the Oregon Ducks, is pioneering a case to not only become the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year but is also on track to get the Broncos back to the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015.

With that said, Durant appeared on Kay Adam’s “Up & Adams” show earlier this week and detailed how he loved Nix’s toughness in his inaugural season at the helm.

So far, Nix is completing just under 65% of his passes while throwing for 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions this fall. Nix will look to add to those stats this Monday night as the Broncos look to secure win No. 8 against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. 

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Jameis Winston says Sean Payton’s aura had a big impact on him

“He was one of the best leaders I’ve been around,” Browns QB Jameis Winston said of Broncos coach Sean Payton.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton and Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston have exchanged compliments ahead of their Monday Night Football showdown in Week 13.

Payton coached Winston with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-2021 and they went 5-2 when Winston started seven games in 2021. Payton praised Winston for his leadership and “infectious personality” earlier this week.

Winston has also praised Payton. The quarterback was asked on Wednesday to measure the biggest impact Payton had on him.

“I would say his aura,” Winston said. “His essence, him being authentically himself. And I think that won me over so much because from a head coach perspective, I haven’t really seen that much personality in my head coach… Bruce Arians was a great example, he did have personality… but that was my first year with him, so it was kind of like a feel out process. I’ve known him since I grew up.

“But what Sean possessed was a leadership quality that was so important to our team, at New Orleans Saints, because, I’ve always put Drew (Brees) on this pedestal, and I knew it was Drew’s team, but in a sense, Sean was one of our biggest leaders, our hardest workers, and definitely he was a leader among men, and that’s how I put it. He was one of the best leaders I’ve been around.”

Payton has the Broncos at 7-5 and within reach of a playoff berth this season. A win against the Browns on Monday would put Denver one step closer to the postseason.

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