In the middle of a nightmare, Denver couldn’t even show off its shiny new offensive weapon.
If you were watching Monday night’s 31-10 dismantling by the Chiefs, you may have wondered whether prized trade acquisition Jaylen Waddle was even playing.
Waddle finished with one catch for two yards on three targets, and fellow pass-catcher Courtland Sutton was also hardly noticeable with two catches for 11 yards.
During the third quarter with the Broncos trailing 21-7, Waddle committed a massive third-down drop while Kenneth Walker III (23 carries for 173 yards and one rushing touchdown) ran wild in the second half.
Their star receiver is finishing out the remaining three years and $84.75 million remaining on the extension he signed with the Dolphins before being traded to Denver.
At the center of the problem Monday was Bo Nix, who threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Nix is expected to take a step forward this year, as he now has Waddle as his new top receiver after leading the Broncos to the AFC’s top seed before suffering a fractured ankle to end his season last year.
Yet, after one game, Nix was terrible and Denver’s pass-catchers, aside from tight end Evan Engram, were non-existent.
Waddle was acquired from the tanking Dolphins (0-1) in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, a third-round pick and two fourth-rounders.
Miami ultimately turned those picks, with trades along the way, into No. 27 overall selection Chris Johnson, a San Diego State defensive back, starting receiver Chris Bell and edge rusher Trey Moore.
With Bell already starting for Miami as it aims to shed salary and start fresh, the Dolphins are likely happy with the aftermath of the trade. However, they’re in a completely different place than Denver.
The Broncos were perhaps an injury away from making the Super Bowl, as they lost a rock fight against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game with Nix injured and Jarrett Stidham starting.
