Broncos QB Bo Nix’s latest point of emphasis: Command and communication
Broncos’ Nix Fine-Tunes Pre-Snap Routine as Team Pursues Playoff Positioning
LANDOVER, MD – As the Denver Broncos navigate a crucial stretch of the season, quarterback Bo Nix isn’t focusing on dramatic offensive overhauls. Instead, the second-year signal caller is meticulously refining the often-overlooked moments between plays, believing incremental improvements in pre-snap communication and efficiency can unlock further potential for a team already riding an impressive eight-game winning streak.
The Broncos (9-3) currently lead the AFC West and are firmly in contention for the conference’s top seed. While their overall record is strong, offensive inconsistencies remain. Denver is tied for 14th in the NFL in scoring at 23.4 points per game and struggles with finishing drives, leading the league in three-and-outs with 37. Addressing these issues, Nix believes, starts with a more streamlined and decisive process in the huddle.
From College Cadence to NFL Complexity
Nix’s journey to this realization is rooted in his transition from the college game. At Oregon, he rarely operated extensively from under center or within the traditional huddle. The NFL, however, demands a different rhythm. “Coming into the league at that position, you’re used to the college ways of just kind of lining up and going,” explained veteran tight end Evan Engram. “It’s been cool getting to know him, he’s always looking for ways that he can improve.”
The shift hasn’t been without its growing pains. Head coach Sean Payton’s play-calling pace has occasionally drawn scrutiny, with Nix visibly urging the sideline to expedite the process during the recent game against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Nix acknowledges his own responsibility in ensuring smooth execution. “As a quarterback, it’s ultimately our job to make sure the play is run well, run efficiently and gets done when it’s supposed to be done,” Nix said this week. “It starts in the huddle, starts having a great huddle, communication, guys knowing what they’re doing.”
The Power of a Well-Run Huddle
Nix’s focus isn’t about memorizing more plays or adding complex reads. It’s about maximizing the 30-or-so seconds between snaps. He’s working to ensure every player understands their assignment, the play clock is managed effectively, and the team is aligned before the ball is snapped. “Usually, a well-run huddle is going to be a well-run play,” Nix stated. “So I’ve got to get out there and it starts with the huddle. Good break, get lined up, get set, make sure you’ve got enough time on the play clock and then go from there.”
This emphasis on pre-snap fundamentals reflects a broader trend in the NFL. Teams are increasingly recognizing the value of maximizing every possession, particularly in a league where scoring opportunities can be fleeting. According to data from the NFL’s official statistics, the average time of possession per game is roughly 30 minutes, highlighting the importance of making the most of each snap.
Incremental Gains, Collective Impact
Payton and Nix have engaged in ongoing discussions about streamlining the offensive operation, potentially reducing the volume of information delivered in the huddle or finding ways to improve efficiency. The team utilized a mini-bye week between wins over the Las Vegas Raiders and the Chiefs to specifically address these areas, and Nix reported seeing positive results against Kansas City.
“Then there are other (things) we can fix to score points, but that part I was pleased about,” Nix said. Engram echoed this sentiment, noting Nix’s proactive approach to self-improvement. “He’s been doing a great job,” Engram said. “Once he sees an area he can get better at, he’s going to fix it right away.”
Beyond the Sideline: A Global Perspective on Team Dynamics
The Broncos’ focus on internal cohesion and process improvement resonates with broader research on high-performing teams. A 2023 report by the World Economic Forum identified “analytical thinking and innovation” and “leadership and social influence” as two of the most crucial skills for success in the modern workplace. Nix’s efforts to refine his pre-snap communication demonstrate both, fostering a more collaborative and efficient offensive unit.
As the Broncos prepare to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, the emphasis remains on building upon their recent success. While a complete offensive overhaul isn’t on the table, Nix’s commitment to incremental improvements – starting with a more focused and efficient huddle – could prove to be the key to unlocking the team’s full potential as they chase a playoff berth and a Super Bowl run.
The team is also expected to welcome back several key defensive players, bolstering their chances of continuing their winning streak. The Broncos understand that sustained success in the NFL requires constant adaptation and a relentless pursuit of excellence, one snap – and one well-run huddle – at a time.
ARTICOL ORIGINAL:
Mid-season overhauls are almost impossible in the NFL.
A running back can get into rhythm and work on tweaks to footwork and process.
A corner can hone technique and reiterate detail.
A quarterback can rep footwork and give himself reminders about his mechanics.
Major changes, though, are usually an offseason proposition.
In search of incremental improvement as Denver rolls toward a stretch run with major consequences for not only potentially an AFC West division title but also the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, quarterback Bo Nix has set about trying to find little areas to hone his game.
Lately he’s been trying to refine how he operates and communicates between snaps and believes there’s forward momentum to be found in those 30 or so seconds between each play.
Much has been made about head coach Sean Payton’s pace getting plays called into Nix. That came up again, multiple times, last time out for the Broncos against the Chiefs. Nix was seen multiple times looking to the sideline and imploring Denver’s head coach to get plays called into the huddle faster.
Nix, though, is also working on getting his own process fine-tuned between plays, too.
“As a quarterback, it’s ultimately our job to make sure the play is run well, run efficiently and gets done when it’s supposed to be done,” Nix said this week. “It starts in the huddle, starts having a great huddle, communication, guys knowing what they’re doing.”
The second-year quarterback rarely operated from the huddle in college at Oregon, but he’s now got 28 NFL regular-season starts under his belt. The way Nix sees it, players typically know what they’re supposed to do — as long as they get the correct information in the huddle.
“Usually, a well-run huddle is going to be a well-run play,” he said. “So I’ve got to get out there and it starts with the huddle. Good break, get lined up, get set, make sure you’ve got enough time on the play clock and then go from there.”
There have been times this year that Nix and Payton have been happy with the way Denver’s offensive operation runs. At others, they’ve talked about the need to perhaps streamline information, cut down on the volume or otherwise just find ways to be more efficient between snaps.
“Coming into the league at that position, you’re used to the college ways of just kind of lining up and going,” veteran tight end Evan Engram told The Post. “It’s been cool getting to know him, he’s always looking for ways that he can improve. Once he sees an area he can get better at, he’s going to fix it right away. He’s been doing a great job.”
He’s also been working on this in particular.
Nix said it was something he spent time on the Broncos’ mini bye week between wins over Las Vegas and Kansas City working on and thought he saw dividends against the Chiefs.
“Then there are other (things) we can fix to score points, but that part I was pleased about,” he said.
The Broncos have a lot to feel good about overall coming off their bye week. They’re on an eight-game winning streak and in control of the division. They’re in the mix for the AFC’s top seed. They’re set to get key players back defensively Sunday night at Washington.
They can’t entirely overhaul an offensive approach on the fly, nor do they need to. They do need to improve, though. They enter Sunday tied for 14th in scoring (23.4 points per game) and tied for 17th in yards per play. They’re tied for 10th in yards per rushing attempt but are tied for 19th in yards per passing attempt. They lead the NFL in three-and-outs (37).
Engram cited execution as Denver’s main culprit during dry spells but also said he thinks the unit is moving in the right direction.
For Nix, execution begins in the huddle.
“We’ve talked all year about how we can get better, all this kind of stuff, and how we can operate,” Nix said. “… But ultimately every good play starts at the beginning, starts with everybody knowing it, everybody on the same page, and then that way you can go out there and execute it.
“We’re all talented enough to go out there and execute the play when we know what we’re doing — when we’re all on the same page.”
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