The offense of the Denver Broncos has left much to be desired in the first six games of this NFL season.
Following the team's win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6, former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick gave a scathing review of the play of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. But Tony Gonzalez, a Hall of Fame tight end, looked at how that performance might be impacting new Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle has shown frustration this season, which Gonzalez says he understands.
Tony Gonzalez speaks on Bo Nix's performance this season 👀#TNFonPrimepic.twitter.com/winxAOoJSC
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 16, 2026
"I know you're trying to see the silver lining, and I get it too because Bo Nix is a capable quarterback," Gonzalez said on the NFL on Prime post-game show. "But right now, the frustration has to be huge in that locker room. Jaylen Waddle specifically, coming over from Miami, they gave up a first- and a third-round pick for him, they're paying him a boatload of money, and the production has not been there, except one game, the 138 yards against Jacksonville, so you know it can be there, but 66 yards combined for those other four games, that is not going to cut it, and if I'm Jaylen Waddle, if I'm that offensive line, if I'm the play-caller, I'm looking at Bo Nix right now side-eyed and saying 'Hey man, you better get it together, cause we got a great football team right now, and you're not pulling your weight.' So watch out for that. If it continues, that locker room is gonna start rumbling, I guarantee it."
One major thing should settle Jaylen Waddle's concerns
While Gonzalez makes some good points and there could be some players on the team, including Waddle, who are looking at things that way, winning games generally fixes most issues.
Those who have defended Nix in recent weeks have pointed to that very fact, and it's hard to argue with. Despite his poor play, the Broncos are still winning the majority of their games. For Waddle, that has to be huge.
A first-round pick in 2021, Waddle missed the playoffs with the Miami Dolphins in three of his five seasons there and never went past the Wild Card round. Every player wants to put up big numbers, but being part of a winning organization should be the ultimate goal. He has been afforded that opportunity in Denver.
While Waddle and Broncos fans would love to see him become a bigger part of the team's direct success, he's in no position to be terribly upset over the way this season has gone. Plus, if he's patient, his moments are going to come, perhaps even as soon as this Sunday when the team faces a weak Arizona Cardinals defense.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Tony Gonzalez says he understands Jaylen Waddle’s frustrations