INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- In the moments following a tooth-grinding escape against the winless Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton talked about his continued wrestling match with time.
The Broncos hope to slightly slow quarterback Bo Nix's internal clock between the snap and the whistle to end each play. And they feel like succeeding with that adjustment would cause everything to fall into place for Nix and the Denver offense so they can, in Payton's words, "let it rip."
"There's a lot that's been said about his feet, I think he's settling that down," Payton said in the moments after Sunday's 23-17 victory over the 0-5 Chargers. "[But] I think it's important from a protection standpoint we provide that early in game so that clock doesn't get juiced up a little bit."
The Broncos moved to 3-2 with the victory, but it was not a smooth operation for the offense in its first game since Payton re-assumed playcalling duties. Denver finished 1-of-12 on third down against the Chargers, gained only 224 net yards and had one play longer than 12 yards before the fourth quarter. Nix finished with the second-lowest passing yardage of his career (16-of-27 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown).
Following Sunday's games, Nix is 24th in the league in QBR (43.1) and 30th in completion percentage over expectation (minus-4.1%), ahead of only Cleveland's Deshaun Watson. The Broncos find themselves near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories on offense, including scoring (29th, 18.0 points per game). Only the Arizona Cardinals have fewer plays of 20 yards or more than the Broncos' 11.
These struggles are part of why Payton snatched playcalling duties back from offensive coordinator Davis Webb after four games. But Payton's playcalling return saw many of the same issues that prompted him to make the change. And a coach who has made his résumé on a brash, go-for-it boldness spoke of the benefit of "small steps" for the QB as the Broncos' defense once again fueled a fourth-quarter comeback win.
"Thought guys up front settled in," Payton said. "... And when we needed it, [Nix] gave us some important ones."
Much of the outside angst about Denver's offense has centered on the 26-year-old quarterback's play. Many former QBs, including ESPN analyst Chase Daniel, who played for Payton in New Orleans, have spoken of Nix's footwork and his penchant for moving through his progressions too quickly before Broncos receivers are into their routes enough to be targets.
Payton has acknowledged some of that, saying that he wants "make [Nix's] job easier" with a better run-game approach and improved pass protection, especially early in games, to get the QB settled faster. That mindset was apparent Sunday, which was the first game this season in which the Broncos had more rushing attempts than pass attempts.
Though the Broncos rushed for fewer than 4 yards per carry on their 29 attempts (106 yards for 3.7 per carry), Payton said he believes the rhythm of the run game is important in helping Nix play with a little more freedom. Nix, who had two ankle surgeries this past offseason, has run less this season, and his 5.7 air yards per attempt currently ranks last among the league's 31 qualifying quarterbacks.
"I think after [five] weeks there's a handful of things collectively, it starts with me, where it's like 'alright, where it's let's focus on the details' and I think the by-product helps the [quarterback]," Payton said. "I think the hardest thing to do in this league is play that position if you're not rushing the ball."
Payton said he and the Broncos coaches have assured Nix that he's "the guy we want here." Nix has also acknowledged that he has tried to not press when things aren't going smoothly and that he, too, wants to find the let-it-rip zone.
"When a coach says 'let it rip,' it means play what you see, have good vision, and I think there's just, right now, there's just a little subtle piece that's overall offensive execution that we're still working toward," Nix said. "Because at times it's there and at times, for whatever reason, the drive stalls."
When the Broncos selected Nix with the 12th overall pick in 2024, Payton said it was in large part due to Nix's "superpower" -- his ability to avoid sacks and turnovers. But Nix has fumbled four times this season, including twice on Sunday, one which he lost. Nix knows he must be more careful before truly being able to let loose.
"Letting it rip is one of the best things that you can do as a quarterback," Nix said. "At the same time, you've got to sort of earn that right. When you do the preparation, you earn the right to react so that you can let it rip."
Things don't get any easier this week. The Broncos have a short week before a Thursday night game against the 3-2 Seattle Seahawks, the defending Super Bowl champions. Seattle is ninth in scoring defense and has surrendered the fewest yards per play in the NFL (4.2). The Seahawks are also tied for fourth in the league in quick pressures, which will challenge Nix's ability to slow down his internal clock.
"[Hall of Fame coach] Bill [Parcells] taught me one thing and it's on going, if you're not having the output you're looking for, you have to look at reducing the variables," Payton said. "And we're trying to do that, reduce the variables so guys can play faster."