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The Denver Broncos‘ offense has made a lot of progress under coach Sean Payton, but there’s still more work to be done.
During an interview with Kay Adams of the “Up and Adams Show” at the Super Bowl earlier this month, Payton discussed a key need in 2025.
Adams started the conversation by suggesting Denver needed a veteran wide receiver. Payton countered, “I would say we need a Joker.”
Adams then mentioned Reggie Bush, and Payton quickly clarified that a Joker could be a tight end or a running back that has exceptional receiving skills.
“We were spoiled here [in New Orleans],” Payton said. “When you think about it, all right? You had Reggie, you had Jimmy Graham, Jeremy Shockey, Darren Sproles, Alvin Kamara. Those are the interior — either tight ends or running backs — they have to be elite receivers.”
Having a TE or RB with elite receiver skills allows Payton to create mismatches, and he hasn’t been able to do that with the personnel in Denver over the last two years. Perhaps that will change in 2025.
The most notable tight end in this year’s draft is Penn State prospect Tyler Warren, who would be a dream pick for the Broncos. At running back, Texas prospect Jaydon Blue is one of the top receiving backs in this year’s class.
The conversation about the Joker position starts around the 9:06 mark:
Whether it’s a tight end or running back (or both), expect Payton to add a “Joker” to his offense this spring.