The Broncos know they need more from Jaylen Waddle.
Denver’s wideout was held to two catches for 19 yards in the Week 5 win over the Chargers, and Sean Payton didn’t dance around the issue afterward. The Broncos coach said the offense has too many problem areas right now, and Waddle’s involvement is part of that bigger picture.
“I’m watching the film offensively, and there are a ton of things we’re not doing well right now,” Payton said, via Jeff Legwold of ESPN. “So, that has to improve.”
Waddle, meanwhile, pointed straight at a dropped pass from Week 4’s loss to the 49ers and put the responsibility on himself to be more dependable when the chance comes.
“We’re in prime position to score points and they call a play, and I didn’t execute,” Waddle said. “We’ve just got to make plays on a more consistent basis, that’s what it comes down to. … That’s me, too, fin d a way anytime I get the opportunity to put us in a position for points.”
Payton said the Broncos will keep searching for ways to get their receivers more touches, even against deeper coverage looks, but he also made it clear the fix starts with self-scouting.
“You’re like, all right, we have to find more touches for … X amount of receivers, even when [defenses] are in these deeper zones,” Payton said. “We’ll be able to do that, but we start with a mirror right away with ourselves.”
In Kansas City, the Chiefs are coming out of their bye still unbeaten and already focused on Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said the message to his players has centered on improvement, and he’s getting the kind of buy-in coaches love.
“We like to have constructive criticism,” Spagnuolo said, via Nate Taylor of ESPN. “The good thing about this group is they’re all pretty accountable. Even if I’m standing there and pointing something out, I see a lot of heads are shaking, [saying], ‘Yeah, you’re right.'”
Andy Reid also highlighted what the defense has been doing well, especially when it comes to stressing quarterbacks without necessarily finishing every rush.
“We’ve done a good job of keeping the quarterback busy back there, though, with pressure, which is important,” Reid said. “Hands down, we want to have sacks. But the pressure on the quarterback ends up being an important thing, and I think our guys have been generating that.”
George Karlaftis said the Chiefs’ edge rushers have taken that personally after last season’s results. He said they know the numbers still need to climb, but the group is locked in on affecting the quarterback any way it can.
“We’re motivated and we’re all trying to work all together,” Karlaftis said. “We weren’t happy with the results of last year and our numbers aren’t there yet, but we’re trying to affect the quarterback and have an impact on the game.
Up front, we felt like we had some MOBPs - missed opportunities [for] big plays. We’ll get better as the season goes on.”
For the Raiders, third-year running back Dylan Laube is carving out a bigger role after spending most of his time on special teams. He scored his first career touchdown in Week 5 and has already logged a career-high 52 offensive snaps this season.
Klint Kubiak said Laube has earned more work because of what he brings in pass protection and on special teams.
“I think, overall, that you know Dylan has been a really good protection back for us, and that gets you into the game on third down and gets you in the game in passing situations,” Kubiak said, via the team’s website. “And he’s been very reliable on special teams.”
In Other News...
Chargers' 0-5 Start Is Fueling An Omarion Hampton Debate
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Hampton still has the kind of talent that makes him hard to ignore, and the case for giving him a larger role is tied directly to the Chargers need for more offensive consistency. Through five games, the production has not matched the preseason expectations, and with the season already slipping away, the question is no longer whether Hampton can help, but how long the Chargers can afford to keep him in anything less than a featured role. [Read more 🡒]
Khalil Mack Trade Talk Just Got More Real For Chargers
Khalil Macks name has started to swirl in trade chatter as the Chargers struggle through a difficult season, and the contract details only add another layer to the conversation. He is on a one-year, $18 million deal, a setup that naturally invites speculation when a team is underperforming and trying to figure out what comes next.
The latest wrinkle came from The Athletic, which reported that Mack does not have a no-trade clause, despite multiple recent reports suggesting otherwise. That matters because it keeps the door open a little wider if the Chargers decide to listen, even though no official trade has been announced and the situation remains more rumor than reality for now. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Deadline Uncertainty Is Becoming Harder For Frustrated Fans To Ignore
An 0-5 start has put the Chargers in a difficult spot, and it is only natural that the conversation has shifted from the standings to what the front office might do next. Around the league, a team in this kind of hole usually draws trade chatter, especially when injuries are already complicating the picture and the losses keep piling up.
Joe Hortiz, though, is not acting like a GM ready to tear it all down. Reports suggest he has been turning away trade interest, a sign that the Chargers are still trying to convince themselves a turnaround is close rather than leaning into a full reset. For fans, that leaves the deadline picture murky: the season is slipping, the pressure is growing, and the next move remains anything but clear. [Read more 🡒]