Sean Payton Highlights Pat Bryant as “Secret Weapon” in the Broncos’ playoff push

When Sean Payton talks about players who can change the trajectory of the Denver Broncos’ season, his words carry a certain weight. 

 As thednvr.com noted, that praise was directed towards rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant. 

“You can feel his presence now,” Payton said after Sunday’s win. “He’s playing faster, he’s playing with confidence, and when he steps on the field, it gives us another dimension.”

“That’s exactly what you want to see at this stage of the year.”

Over the past few weeks, Bryant has evolved from a rotational rookie into a trusted weapon in a Broncos offense that’s finding its rhythm over the last five quarters. 

Payton called Bryant’s emergence a “vital piece” of the Broncos’ playoff push going forward and that he will continue to see more volume as the season goes on. 

“Pat’s a worker,” quarterback Bo Nix said postgame.

“He’s where he’s supposed to be, he’s physical at the catch point, and he doesn’t shy away from big moments. When you see a young guy like that keep showing up, it makes you want to get him the ball.”

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Bryant’s Breakout Game

In Sunday’s 44-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Bryant caught four passes for forty yards and a touchdown.

His touchdown came on a 24-yard pass from Bo Nix where Bryant hauled in an amazing catch in the end zone. 

It was the kind of performance that validated the trust Denver’s coaching staff had been hinting at for weeks.

Even though Bryant only has seven receptions for 86 yards on the season, he has been starting to get more playing time and targets. 

Over the last two games, Bryant has been targeted eight times, which is more than he was in the previous six games combined.

Over the last four games, the rookie wide receiver has a 54.75% snap share, which is a much larger number than his 21.75% snap share in the first four weeks of the season. 

This signals the growing trust that Sean Payton has in his young receiver. 

“He’s one of those guys who just keeps stacking good days,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “You don’t have to draw up anything special for him.  He finds ways to make plays in the structure of what we’re doing. That’s a big deal for a rookie.”

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How Bryant Can Elevate the Broncos’ offense

At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, Bryant brings a physical, reliable target that balances the route-running precision of Courtland Sutton and the speed of Troy Franklin. 

His ability to win contested catches and block in space fits perfectly into Payton’s offensive system. 

“He’s strong at the catch point,” Payton noted. “We’ve talked about that all year, finishing plays, competing for the ball. He does that. When you’re trying to sustain drives or punch it in down in the red zone, that stuff matters.”

As Denver enters a crucial stretch in the thick of the AFC West race, Bryant’s emergence adds a new layer to the Broncos’ offense and brings significant upside moving forward.

“Every week, I just try to do my job,” Bryant said in the locker room. “If that helps us win, that’s what I’m here for.”

With his coach calling him “vital” and his quarterback already trusting him in key moments, Pat Bryant may be the piece that helps elevate Denver’s offense as the Broncos set their sights on a Super Bowl run.

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