Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton always talks about wanting to get wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. more touches in the offense. Unfortunately, he doesn't actually do it.
Payton finally had to face the music on that when he made his latest comments about wanting to get Mims more touches in the offense. One of the reporters on the beat at his Wednesday media availability finally confronted Payton by telling him simply, "You say that a lot."
To which Payton admitted, "I know."
The follow-up question is obvious: What's the disconnect? Why has there been such a desire -- literally for four years at this point -- to get Mims more involved offensively, but no action put behind it?
Sean Payton finally gives an explanation on why Broncos don't involve Marvin Mims Jr. more
a reporter finally called Sean Payton out for years of constantly stating that he wants to get Marvin Mims more touches, but rarely following through pic.twitter.com/c2zjNr6DM7
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 28, 2026
“Sometimes it’s coverage and then it’s trying to find those personnel groupings where we’ve got a number of guys that are healthy and playing well. So hopefully we can find those opportunities.”
- Sean Payton (via Broncos PR)
In 53 career games (so far), Mims has just 147 total targets in the passing game. He has 141 total touches between receptions and carries, including 9 touchdowns. In two playoff games last season, he had 12 receptions on 14 targets for 155 yards and the clutch touchdown against Buffalo in the Divisional Round.
He has played at an All-Pro level as a return specialist and may have the best hands on the team. He might be the most clutch player on the team as well.
The fact that he hasn't averaged three targets per game over the course of his NFL career is actually a little sad.
It would be one thing if Mims was a late-round pick who emerged as a return man, but wasn't ever really supposed to be an impact player for the offense. Even if the Broncos liked him mostly for his return abilities, they traded up to get him in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Mims doesn't really have the same type of reputation as a typical second-round pick would, for whatever reason. The Broncos don't exactly treat him like a second-round pick.
Payton's acknowledgement that he constantly talks about wanting or needing to get Mims more involved in the offense without actually doing it is important. With Jaylen Waddle dealing with a chest injury, Pat Bryant on temporary IR, and Courtland Sutton having the worst season of his career, this would seem like the perfect time to put more plays in the gameplan for Mims to get involved.
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