In the third quarter of yesterday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix got into the huddle with 23 seconds on the play clock. After delivering a lengthy play call (and appearing to double-check a play sheet), Nix broke the huddle with 9 seconds left.
A receiver went in motion with 4 seconds left and he was not set before the play clock was about to expire, so Nix called timeout instead of taking a delay of game penalty. In a six-point game that went right down to the end, that timeout could have been useful later in the game.
Here’s video of the huddle and resulting timeout:
watch the huddle pic.twitter.com/ZDWAk8gKbt
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 15, 2024
Broncos coach Sean Payton, of course, is known for his lengthy play calls (such as “13Z, Devry Henderson, Chris Ivory, Green Right Nasty, Z peel, Fake Slash, 37 Buster Bluff, Naked Right, X post, Y bite”).
Former New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel has spoken about the potential for rookie quarterbacks to struggle with long play calls. Daniel said earlier this summer that he could see Nix having difficulty with Payton delivering plays in his helmet due to the frantic delivery and lengthiness of the calls.
After Sunday’s 13-6 loss to the Steelers, Nix was asked if he thought the offense could be simplified to make the operation run more smoothly.
“I think the NFL is a complex league,” Nix said. “I think it’s hard to be simple in the league because the other defenses [are] game planning and scheming you up, too. So if you’re too simple, they’ll just pick you apart. There’s just a fine line. I felt good in the plan going in. I think we just have to execute the plays better.”
Through two games, Denver’s offense has scored just one touchdown and five field goals. Nix does not seem to believe simplifying things would help, but the Broncos need to change something to improve the operation.
