Sean Payton: Broncos need to get Marvin Mims the ball more

There’s no disputing that Marvin Mims Jr. is electric with the ball in his hands, but the question about the Denver Broncos Pro Bowler is how to get him the ball more — it’s a question that even head coach Sean Payton is asking.

Mims returned a punt for a 48-yard touchdown during the Broncos‘ 24-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Denver has seen a noticeable improvement in their return game since Mims returned from an early-season concussion. He made his impact immediately when he rejoined the team in Week 11 and returned three punts for 101 yards in that game against Kansas City. None of this is that surprising, given Mims earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in each of his first two years as a pro for his skills in the return game.

MARVIN MIMS JR. TO THE HOUSE!

DENvsLV on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/0ZpcnhsSQQ

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

But for all of Mims’ success on special teams, the Broncos haven’t really figured out a role for him on offense. Against the Raiders, he was only targeted once, where he caught a pass for five yards. He also had a carry for a two-yard gain.

“Honestly, just coming out of a staff meeting, we have to continue to find more touches for him on the offensive side of the ball, and we’ll do that,” Payton said about Mims on Monday.

Mims’ lack of touches on offense has been true of the entire season, not just in Las Vegas. Mims has only been targeted 35 times, catching 25 balls for 247 yards and a touchdown. And this isn’t for a lack of skill in that phase of the game, like some returners. Mims proved capable last year with two 100-yard receiving games in the final five weeks, including four touchdowns in the final two weeks.

“I think he was our first draft pick, [General Manager] George [Paton] and I,” Payton said. “It’s been embedded in me: the quickest way to improve a team is the kicking game and get the offensive line squared away. We didn’t have a returner. I remember when we were watching his film, we knew he was a captain at Oklahoma. He was an accomplished receiver, but he was one of the better returners, if not the best returner, in the draft. When you check those vision boxes, the way we were able to with him… He’s exceeded our expectations as to what type of guy he is, how he works, what kind of teammate he is.”

Mims was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Broncos didn’t have a first that year since they dealt their picks in both the Russell Wilson trade and the deal to get Payton. It’s been a home run addition by the Broncos brass; the franchise’s only other All-Pro in their first two seasons was Von Miller. Now, how can they get Mims to be a bigger part of the plan? We’ll see soon.

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