Sean Payton is *again* talking about getting Marvin Mims Jr. more involved in the Denver Broncos offense, a familiar tune this time of year. This recurring theme of strange usage and slow starts early in seasons for Mims has been a head-scratcher, but Payton, speaking on Monday, seems set on fixing it.
The Mims Enigma Takes a Turn
Payton didn’t mince words: “We’re trying to get him touches. He’s one of our explosive playmakers. Quite honestly, we need to get him more touches on offense, and we’ll do that.” It’s about time, right? The potential Mims brings is undeniable, and the numbers before Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals were frankly too low, with Mims racking up just 29 receiving yards and a mere 24 kickoff yards.
But things started to shift against the Cardinals. Payton mentioned that a lot of it had to do with how opponents were kicking off, leading them to go with a single returner, Mims. That move paid off immediately, with Mims’ first return putting the Broncos at midfield, a huge momentum swing. He finished that game with 53 receiving yards and a massive 103 kickoff return yards. You can feel the energy building when a guy like that gets rolling, and it seems like Payton is finally finding ways to unleash him.
Broncos Building Blocks and Bo Nix’s Breakthrough
The Broncos’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals wasn’t just about Mims, though. It was a crucial game where they “laid the building blocks for future success on offense.” Quarterback Bo Nix, in particular, desperately needed this kind of performance. After a week and a half of intense media scrutiny, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s rant, and serious questions about whether Nix should even be benched, Nix and the Broncos “responded in a big way.” They found “the big play in blowout win,” and you could feel the pressure ease up a bit.
Coach Payton also highlighted the play of running back Jonah Coleman, noting, “He played well. The touches he had were explosive. Like anything else, I think it’s something you earn. He’s done a good job of that.” This team is clearly looking for explosiveness wherever they can get it. Payton also emphasized the importance of special teams, saying, “I think the quickest way to improve your team is in the kicking game and then in your defensive and offensive fronts.” He praised Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach Darren Rizzi and his group for doing “a real good job,” which totally tracks with Mims stepping up in the return game.
What’s next for this Broncos squad? If Denver can win their next two games, they’ll be sitting “quite pretty atop the AFC West.” Payton made it clear about these upcoming matchups, stating, “I’ve said this a hundred times, but divisional games are always important and they typical.” You know he means they’re going to be intense, and with Mims potentially unleashed, they might just shake up the division.
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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