Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has a new toy to use in his offense.
And it’s a big one.
The Broncos landed WR Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins, parting with a first-round pick and third-round pick, but clearly Denver felt the price was worth it.
And at the NFL annual meeting on Tuesday, Payton delivered his most extensive comments yet on the move. The headline is that Payton isn’t going to limit how the Broncos use Waddle in terms of a specific spot in the offense.
“I’ve seen him outside as a tremendous route runner, inside. The route tree is pretty expansive,” Sean Payton said. “The best thing that I think he does is he’s explosive; he’s dynamic. A lot of times, the guys run fast, but I think he sends his hips in transition. I think you’ll see him play inside in the slot; you’ll see him outside.”
Essentially, Payton isn’t putting Waddle into a box. He could be the No. 1 weapon on the outside for QB Bo Nix or line up in the slot and let him work the middle of the field. That also would free up Waddle to use his speed with gadget plays and other tricks.
“We’ll have speed packages that we’ll feature… We’re not just going to have, and I know someone’s getting ready to ask me, ‘Is he receiver 1 or 2?’ So we don’t have (that). We just play different packages and try to give those guys the things that they do well,” Sean Payton said.
Clearly, he didn’t want to answer who’s the No. 1 wide receiver between Waddle and Courtland Sutton, but is also saying it doesn’t matter. They’re both going to be utilized plenty, while also featuring the likes of Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims. Jr and Pat Bryant.
And while the depth looks like a strength, Broncos GM George Paton said earlier in the week that he has no interest in trading a wide receiver.
That has to be music to the ears of Sean Payton, who is going to feature Waddle in a variety of ways. If everyone stays healthy, that could help take the Denver offense from good to great in 2026.