Sean Payton intends on Jaylen Waddle getting the ball more against Jacksonville

The Denver Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle back in March with a specific vision in mind, a game-breaking speedster who could stretch defenses and give Bo Nix a vertical weapon this offense lacked a year ago. On Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium, that vision never materialized.

Waddle’s Broncos debut was about as quiet as a stat line can get. One catch. Two yards. Three targets. That was it. In a 31-10 loss where practically nothing went right for Denver, the fact that its marquee offseason acquisition was essentially invisible might have been the most alarming part of the evening.

It wasn’t for a lack of ability. ESPN noted that Waddle’s mere presence actually helped spring Evan Engram’s first-quarter touchdown, drawing multiple Chiefs defenders toward him as Engram ran free underneath. But when it came to the ball finding Waddle’s hands, it simply didn’t happen, whether because of Kansas City’s coverage, Bo Nix’s inability to get comfortable in the pocket behind four sacks, or the play-calling itself.

Sean Payton was asked after Friday’s practice whether there would be a greater effort to get Waddle the ball in Sunday’s home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

His answer was blunt.

“Our intentions a week ago were that,” Payton said.

The head coach acknowledged that good intentions alone weren’t enough, and that the approach needs to sharpen without becoming forced.

“So we just gotta be, you know, more deliberate maybe, and yet, without forcing it. But you know, he’s gonna have his touches.”

Waddle spent the previous five seasons in Miami, where he topped 1,000 receiving yards three times and proved himself as one of the league’s most dangerous weapons in space. Denver didn’t trade for that kind of player to have him catch one ball on opening night. The Broncos know it, and Payton clearly knows it too.

The good news is that Jacksonville’s secondary should present more opportunities. And with a full week of preparation at home, Denver’s first game at Empower Field at Mile High this season, the staff has had time to recalibrate how and where Waddle fits into the game plan.

The whole offseason was spent dreaming about what this offense could look like with Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Evan Engram, and a healthy Bo Nix all on the field together. One bad Monday doesn’t erase that potential. But Sunday needs to start showing it.

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