After one of the longest offseasons in recent memory, the Denver Broncos gave their fans one of the longest nights in the Sean Payton era.
The Broncos were absolutely embarrassed in their 2026 season opener on a national stage in front of the entire NFL world. And while it's factual to state that there are still another 16 games left to be played, nobody in Broncos Country is feeling overly great about that fact, considering the product on the field in Kansas City.
From the opening drive of the game, the Broncos simply didn't have it against Kansas City, and there were a number of staggering issues this team has to address before the word "contender" is uttered again this season.
Instant takeaways from the Broncos' humiliating loss to the Chiefs in Week 1
Amateur hour from Bo Nix and Davis Webb
One of the most disappointing developments of the night was the Denver offense. This was the regular season debut for offensive coordinator Davis Webb, calling plays for the first time in his coaching career, and he was absolutely taken to school by Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Not only that, but Bo Nix -- who typically plays very solid against Spagnuolo's defense -- was not his usual self whatsoever in this game. He threw an interception on the first drive of the game, and was extremely reckless with the ball throughout the loss. Not only that, but Nix was sacked four times in the game, something we're just not used to seeing. The Chiefs found ways to limit
There was absolutely no flow from Webb's play-calling, very poor execution from Nix and the offensive unit as a whole, and it has to be a wake-up call for these two guys.
Jaylen Waddle was completely invisible
Jaylen Waddle was supposed to be the missing piece for the Broncos' offense, and it's safe to say after the season-opener that he's still missing.
Waddle had just one reception for two yards on three targets in the game. The Broncos benefitted from his presence on the field on their lone touchdown drive of the game, as the attention he drew on a touchdown pass to Evan Engram was crucial, but that was really it.
One of Waddle's targets was a perfectly thrown ball from Nix that would have converted a key 3rd down, but Waddle let it slip through his hands and he dropped it. The Broncos' plan for getting him involved was either really bad, or the Chiefs were ready for it.
Or both.
The Broncos' tackling was a complete embarrassment
The Broncos' defense returned everybody from last season except John Franklin-Myers, who left for the Titans in free agency. Even having Franklin-Myers back couldn't have made much of a difference as the Broncos allowed Kenneth Walker to run for 173 yards and rack up 191 total yards from scrimmage.
Walker averaged 7.5 yards per carry, had two total touchdowns, and was absolutely unstoppable.
The Broncos' defense helped him out, because they simply refused to wrap up. And this was a problem throughout the game, not just when Walker had the ball. The Broncos couldn't tackle Rashee Rice on his touchdown catch and run, they couldn't tackle Travis Kelce, and they couldn't tackle really anybody.
The amount of missed tackles in this game is going to have Sean Payton absolutely furious all week.
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