Sean Payton knows his Broncos offense needs to play better.

He knows his quarterback does, too.

On Monday morning after Denver’s 23-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, however, he wasn’t interested in any conversation about where Bo Nix’s confidence level might be.

“We’re not giving levels of confidence grades right now on a Monday morning before a Thursday game,” he said curtly. “You can go ahead and opinionate, but, shoot, I think confidence comes from — I’m watching the film offensively and there are a ton of things we’re not doing well right now, so that has to improve.”

One of the things not going well overall is how Nix is playing at the start of his third season. Sunday was among the worst statistical outings of his NFL career so far.

Nix had only thrown for fewer yards than his 123 against the Chargers once, managing just 60 in a rainy 2024 win against the New York Jets when he had minus-7 at halftime. Several other metrics were either poor or are trending in the wrong direction.

Over the past four games, Nix’s attempts downfield have steadily dwindled from 12.9% against Jacksonville to just 3.7% against the Chargers.

To date on the season, the No. 12 overall pick from the 2024 draft is tied for No. 28 in the NFL in yards per attempt, No. 25 in passer rating and is No. 30 in completion percentage over expected. Over five games last year, he ran 28 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. Through five games this year, he has run 18 times for 35 yards and a touchdown.

After Sunday’s game, Payton said he talked with Nix about the need to “let it rip” and reminded him that the Broncos chose him to be in the driver’s seat.

Payton on Monday wasn’t thrilled about the fact that, not surprisingly, Nix was asked about those comments at his postgame news conference, which took place a few minutes after Payton’s.

“He and I will be on the same page each week relative to the plays and the plan. Someone asked me that question yesterday and then two seconds later they were at his locker, ‘Coach said this,’” Payton said, though Nix does his news conference at a podium rather than at his locker. “It was somewhat comical. I think there are certain throws that we’re going to be aggressive with. There are other throws that we’re going to be smart with. We’ll be on the same page there.”

S Talanoa Hufanga would not have practiced Monday with ankle injury

The Broncos didn’t practice Monday but had to put out an estimated injury report because of their upcoming Thursday night game.

Here’s how it looked.

DNP: S Talanoa Hufanga (ankle), CB Pat Surtain II (ankle)

Limited: CB Riley Moss (ribs), DL Sai’Vion Jones (shoulder)

Full: S Brandon Jones (foot), LG Ben Powers (biceps)

The fact that the club estimates Moss would have returned to practice for the first time since injuring his ribs in San Francisco is a good sign. Hufanga being a DNP after hurting his ankle Sunday, not returning to the game and sporting a boot afterward is less so.

Denver’s first day on the practice field for the week is slated for Tuesday.

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