Jaylen Waddle Has Already Seen Enough to Know Bo Nix Is 'Different'

Jaylen Waddle's impressions of playing an actual game with Bo Nix brought forth some interesting takeaways.

Aug 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) before the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bo Nix returned to the football field over the weekend, starting the Denver Broncos' second preseason game vs. the Green Bay Packers.

Nix was given two series with the starters, and he put points on the board on both possessions. On the Broncos' first drive of the night, Nix led a six-play, 65-yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back RJ Harvey.

But the play that set that Harvey wheel route up was Nix's 35-yard connection with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who made his Broncos debut on Friday night against Green Bay. Broncos Country is hoping that explosive Waddle play is but a small taste of Nix plans to cook up.

That speed after the catch is scary. Jaylen Waddle, it's gonna be a GREAT year! pic.twitter.com/T1btl9VaVJ

— Mile High Huddle (@MileHighHuddle) August 22, 2026

After the Packers game, Nix talked about how throwing the ball to Waddle is slightly different, just because of how fast he is and how quickly he gets in and out of his breaks. You could see Waddle slow down every so slightly to adjust to Nix's pass down the right seam.

On Monday, the Broncos were back at it, practicing in preparation for the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night. After the session, Waddle was asked about what he's learned about Nix since teaming up with him in June.

“'B' is a baller. He has rare traits that only he can process and only he can do," Waddle said on Monday. "It’s just tremendous going out there. He’s so young, but he’s kind of so mature in the way he approaches the game. So yes, Bo’s different.”

The energy and boost Nix provided to his teammates was palpable on Friday night. The Mile High faithful could feel it, too. Nix is different, and in his first live-bullet action since fracturing his ankle in the playoffs last season, he appeared to pick up right where he left off.

Nix looked good. Poised. In control. Accurate. Mobile. Seeing him move around the pocket and evade pressure as if he didn't break his ankle and undergo two surgeries during the offseason was more than encouraging.

A Little Bit Different

Jaylen Waddle blasts forward on a 35-yard reception against Green Bay. | Hector Acevedo / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

When it comes to throwing to a receiver like Waddle, Nix tried to put it into words after the Packers game. The truth is, it's going to take him a little time to get a feel for Waddle's unique skill set.

"You can’t really explain the type of player he is," Nix said of Waddle. "You just have to get out there and play, and when you throw him the ball, you understand that it’s a little bit different. He’s just a really great football player."

As much as Nix appreciates what Waddle does on the field as a playmaker, he's just as thankful for the receiver's intangible contributions. Waddle's infectious personality and positive mindset have already influenced the locker room.

"He adds a lot to our team, not only on the field, but like we just mentioned it, joking on the sideline, just him being on the sideline, his personality just gets everybody going," Nix said. "He’s very exciting. He has a great positive attitude. He’s going to be great for us.”

Waddle understands that it'll take a little time to get on the same page with Nix. They're off to a great start, to be sure, but between Waddle arriving via trade in the offseason, and missing about a week of training camp with a soft-tissue injury, and Nix's long recovery since January, the duo hasn't had as many reps together as they'd prefer in a perfect world.

But they're both such great pros that it's only a short matter of time before it happens. Waddle tried to explain why there's a slight acclimation period for a quarterback when it comes to throwing him the ball, but quickly segued to talking about the wealth of talent the Broncos have stockpiled at the skill positions.

"I just think the skill set," Waddle said. "Getting the ball in space is always something key, not just for me, but we have a lot of different playmakers. And we got a lot of versatility in the room. And, yeah, man, we can do a lot of great things with the ball in our hands. Not just me, man. We got a lot of playmakers on this team, and that’s the good thing. You want to play with a lot of dangerous players, and we got those."

One of those dangerous playmakers is Marvin Mims Jr., who hasn't played in the preseason yet because of a camp injury. He should be good to go by the regular-season opener, though.

Waddle has already expressed his admiration for Mims's dynamic skill set. Waddle's point on Monday, though, is a salient one: the nest the Broncos have built around Nix is evident, and all those moves and the development of each player are about to pay some dividends.

The Takeaway

If Friday's performance against the Packers was any indication, Nix and the Broncos' offense are poised to take a big leap forward in 2026, just as new offensive coordinator Davis Webb began envisioning the second he saw Waddle on the practice field back in June.

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