Pat Bryant’s Breakout Stretch Signals a Major Shift in Broncos’ Offense

Pat Bryant’s rookie season has quickly turned into one of the most promising storylines in Denver.

He delivered his most complete performance of the season in the Broncos’ massive win over the Chiefs. 

The rookie was the unsung hero that nobody seems to be talking about.

His breakout game gave Denver’s offense a fresh layer of reliability and explosiveness right when it needed it most. 

The rookie wideout led the team with five catches for 82 yards, including a momentum-shifting 48-yard grab that helped spark one of Denver’s key scoring drives.

As Sports Illustrated noted, teammates and coaches have taken notice of Bryant’s great play: 

“Pat’s one of those guys who just does everything right,” Nix said postgame. “When the ball goes his way, we trust he’s going to make a play.”

Sean Payton echoed that confidence earlier this month, praising Bryant’s “physicality, consistency, and ability to win in key moments.” 

Those traits were on full display against Kansas City as Bryant showed he’s becoming one of the most important pieces in a Denver offense that has been struggling as of late.

Bryant Shines Against Chiefs

In Denver’s crucial 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Bryant played a major role in helping the Broncos pull off the upset. 

His impact went beyond the box score and every reception seemed to arrive at just the right moment. 

He moved the chains with crucial third-down conversions to extend drives, and provided Nix with a calming outlet when the pass rush closed in. 

His emergence comes at an important time. 

Prior to this game, Denver’s offense had been struggling mightily, scoring an average of 14 points per game in the two games prior. 

The Broncos got back to their offensive rhythm from earlier in the season as Bo Nix threw for 295 yards. 

The offense put up 22 points against a Chiefs defense that ranks sixth in the NFL.

A huge part of their offensive improvements was the emergence of the rookie wide out. 

Bryant hauled in five of his six targets for a career high 82 yards, and he opened up the Broncos passing game at all three levels. 

“Every week he shows us something new,” Payton said. “He’s earned the right to have the ball come his way more often.”

The Broncos do not win that game without the young receiver. He is becoming a massive piece of this offense. 

Bryant’s Future Outlook in Offense 

Bryant’s upward trajectory suggests his role is only going to expand as the Broncos push toward the postseason race.

Earlier in the season, he earned early playing time mostly through his run-blocking work. 

He recorded more than 110 such snaps entering Week 11, but the Broncos are now beginning to realize how much he can contribute as a receiver. 

Bryant’s usage percentage has steadily climbed over the past month:

Over the Broncos last seven games, he has played an average of 54.4% of snaps. 

This is compared to his first four games of the season in which he only played an average of 21.75% of snaps. 

With Sutton as the clear WR1, Franklin emerging, and Mims Jr. stretching defenses deep, Bryant’s mix of size, power, and burst to balance the other receivers who all seem to specialize in one area.

At one point this season, Bryant had 13 catches on 19 targets, and every one of those receptions went for a first down or touchdown until midway through yesterday’s game. 

Even after that streak ended, he kept flashing his feel for space and timing, converting key third downs and winning consistently against man coverage.

From a fantasy football standpoint, he’s becoming a name managers should monitor closely. 

With target shares trending up, snap counts rising, and Denver actively trying to get him more involved, Bryant has real waiver-wire sleeper potential. 

Pat Bryant is here to stay and his role is only going to continue to evolve. 

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