The Broncos' receivers are fighting for Sean Payton's ultimatum

The Denver Broncos got a big win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 28-14, moving them to 5-3 on the season. Nothing will overshadow the Broncos Are At this point, this poses a serious threat to at least make the playoffs in the AFC. However, after the game, even head coach Sean Payton was fed up with his wide receivers' performance, which included two fumbles by Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Courtland Sutton.

Even though Sutton posted 100 yards receiving in this game – arguably his best of the year overall – a fumble at the goal line is unbearable. And Lil'Jordan Humphrey's fumble led to the Panthers' only touchdown before garbage time in the fourth quarter, a touchdown that put the Broncos in an early 7-0 hole.

Ultimately, receiver fumbles cost the Denver Broncos a total of 14 points in this game, and other receiver fumbles hurt the team even worse. Sutton had a dropped pass, Lil'Jordan Humphrey had a dropped pass, Marvin Mims didn't expect the ball to be thrown his way in a two-minute drill before halftime, and Troy Franklin dropped a surefire touchdown or a massive one Profits fall.

Running back Javonte Williams also dropped a nice pass from Bo Nix towards the end of the game.

Thank God the Broncos tight ends showed up in this game or things might have turned ugly. And Sean Payton admitted after the game that they can still play better, but particularly criticized the team's wide receivers for fumbling the ball…

This is not a “new” problem for the Broncos this year. The receivers may not fumble every week, but there was a pattern of missed opportunities and dropped passes that cost the Broncos points. If some of these things had happened in closer games, it could ultimately be the difference between a playoff spot and a berth.

Broncos rookie running back Audric Estimé ran around the facility last week with a football in his hand after fumbling for the second time in just nine carries of his career. Javonte Williams has had fumbling issues (again) this season. In this game against the Panthers, the Broncos finally managed to overcome turnovers, marking the first win this season in which they turned the ball over at least twice.

That's a testament to how well Bo Nix and the offense as a whole have played, but after viewing the wide receiver room as the deepest group on the team in training camp, I'm not sure how much longer Sean Payton can endure these issues can . Josh Reynolds is currently on injured reserve due to an injury and is fortunately back to normal after his shot, but no one knows what his timetable is for a return to the field.

And Payton is right. At some point “My bad” just isn’t enough anymore.

My suggestion is that the Broncos need to pursue someone and make moves to acquire a receiver, perhaps even Diontae Johnson, who was on the other sideline (in a sweat) during that game against Carolina.

We need to be close to AT Perry, who the Broncos acquired after being cut from the Saints, getting his first regular-season assignment in 2024. We must be close to the point where Payton could actually become a general Manager George Paton pulled the trigger on a trade to bring in someone to raise the floor of the room.

With the decision to fire Tim Patrick, we're certainly past the point of regret, which would help this team tremendously even if it didn't make 100 yards per game or something similar ridiculous. At least Patrick provided a reliable option in the passing game.

And that's something the Broncos desperately need right now.