Broncos fans are convinced the running back position is the most important room for their team this year, which feels like a total gut-punch given how shaky that spot has been for them over the past many seasons. It’s been touted as crucial for years, yet it hasn’t lived up to its potential or its clear need. When your running game is “so-so at best,” it’s like handing the defense a playbook. They can do so much to make an offense uncomfortable, and just like that, you’re one-dimensional. That’s a brutal reality for any team trying to make some noise.
The Running Back Dilemma Is Real
Think about it: the absolute best thing an offense can be is multidimensional. If you can run the ball effectively, you open up everything else. But when the ground game struggles, defenses just pin their ears back and come after the quarterback. And while Bo Nix has been able to use his legs to keep opponents honest, everyone knows that’s not a sustainable philosophy for a full NFL season. Head coach Sean Payton straight up called Nix’s mobility “one of his superpowers,” adding, “It’s hard to sack some quarterbacks; he’s one of them.” Payton even broke down the analytics, saying when you take a sack, “your points become in that drive, or likelihood to kick a field goal and it all drops dramatically.” That’s a stark reminder of how critical avoiding sacks is, but also how much pressure it puts on Nix to constantly escape.
Bo Nix Knows the Balance Game
Nix himself gets it. He told reporters Sunday, “I think like any strength, it can be overutilized and it can be overused.” He’s all about finding that balance, making plays when they’re there, but also using his creativity when things break down. He practices that “dynamic play” constantly, noting, “Our guys are in tune with it, and those guys are moving around with me.” The “play’s never over” mentality is awesome, but it comes with a massive asterisk. If the running backs don’t step up, if RJ Harvey and the crew can’t get it done on the ground, that “superpower” becomes an absolute necessity, and that’s a dangerous tightrope to walk for a quarterback throughout a grueling season.
Early Camp Sparks and Lingering Questions
Even with the running back concerns, early training camp reports from July 31st hinted at some positive vibes from the offense. Ryan Edwards on X (formerly Twitter) noted “a lot of fireworks from the offense, attacking deep often,” which is exactly what you want to hear. Big plays were popping from guys like Engram, Sutton, Mims, Butler, Franklin, and Bandy. Plus, Waddle apparently looked “ELITE off of the line,” and Nix seemed “very comfortable” leading the charge. Defensively, there were flashes too, with a Reid strip/fumble recovery and Moss/Austin getting some big pass breakups. All that is great, no doubt. But for a team where fans are practically screaming for the running backs to be the most important group, those early camp highlights need to translate into a balanced attack fast. The season is already here, and they need to find that rushing consistency to take the pressure off Nix and truly unlock that multidimensional offense everyone’s craving.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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