Sean Payton stresses balance on offense, defends Bo Nix

Sean Payton doubled down on his core offensive principles Thursday, stressing balance and defending young quarterback Bo Nix as the Denver Broncos prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Payton once again pushed back on the narrative around Nix’s missed deep shots that were prevalent during the Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, calling them routine evaluations and not red flags.

“You keep firing,” Payton said, noting one was a flea-flicker and another a seam-and-go to Courtland Sutton, where timing and top speed can vary. “One of his great strengths is that he doesn’t take a lot of sacks. He’s quick through a progression. His off-schedule throws are a gift, so you want to be careful how much you tell him.”

The coach framed balance between the run and pass as the organization’s path to sustainable success — and, ultimately, meaningful football in January. Citing his years with Drew Brees, Payton reminded that even the most prolific passing seasons were backed by strong rushing attacks.

Denver’s pass rate over expected (PROE) is the league’s fourth highest, while the Broncos average 5.2 yards per rush (fifth). Those figures suggest Denver has been pass-leaning while still efficient on the ground.

“From afar, you would have said those were high-flying passing offenses,” Payton said. “If you looked at all those playoff teams, they were real good rushing teams. That balance was important always, and it will be for us and for the QB.”

Payton conceded Denver’s “bread and butter” hasn’t been clearly defined through the season’s early stretch, calling it the coaching staff’s job to crystallize an identity “relative to running and throwing the ball.” He expects that clarity “soon.”

That vision includes a major role for J.K. Dobbins, the veteran free agent back Payton says has added an explosive element to Denver’s offense.

“I love the leadership, the focus,” Payton said. “Sometimes when you sign a free agent, you kind of know what you’re getting with the runner, but all the other things that came were a bonus. He is explosive, he’s decisive, he’s downhill, he’s powerful, he’s got good balance. He’s been a real good addition for us.”

The Broncos are sorting the workload between Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey.

Dobbins logged 11 carries for 83 yards with an explosive run vs. Los Angeles; Harvey had two carries and three receptions (second-most on the team).

“We’ve looked at that — how do we want to split that? I think we have a better feel for it,” Payton said.

Denver’s staff also emphasized a back-to-basics review early this week, aiming to clean up self-inflicted issues that undercut a plus-2 turnover margin in the last game. Penalties, Payton said, can function “like a turnover” when they extend drives after stops.

Denver committed 10 penalties last week; on the season, the Broncos average eight per game (19th) and are minus-1 in turnover margin.

As the Broncos face a Bengals team that has already lost Joe Burrow, it’s a chance to get right. Regardless of Burrow’s status, Payton said Denver is preparing for the same pocket-based offense built around Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It keeps the coach’s message clear: run the ball with intentr run the ball with intent and build an offense that can win in multiple ways.

“Balance was important always,” Payton said. “And it will be for us.”

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