The Denver Broncos have seen their young playmakers take leading roles in critical moments this season, and one of them, Pat Bryant, garnered attention from the NFL after his performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11.
The No. 74 overall pick of the 2025 draft, Bryant arrived amid lofty comparisons.
And while it has taken time, Bryant has seen a tremendous uptick in production over the last four weeks for the Broncos, who boast the best record in the NFL at 92 entering their bye.
GettyPat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos celebrates against the Arizona Cardinals.
“WR @PatBryant is up for @NFL Rookie of the Week!” the Broncos posted on X on November 18, urging fans to “congratulate” the youngster by reporting and to “vote” for him.
DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla called it the “most productive performance of his young career, noting Bryant “led all Broncos receivers in receptions in Sunday’s 22-19 win over the Chiefs, with grabs, turning them into 82 yards.
Bryant had a critical 48-yard grab to set up a score, and four of his catches went for first downs.
Bryant is facing stiff competition from his fellow rookie playmakers who were also nominated for their Week 11 showings.
The other nominees are linebackers Carson Schwesinger (Cleveland Browns) and Cody Simon (Arizona Cardinals), running backs Bhayshul Tuten (Jacksonville Jaguars) and TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots).
Carolina Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan is the final contender Bryant must beat out.
Bryant has 15 receptions for 231 yards and 1 touchdown this season. However, he has a 10-185-1 line on 15 targets over the last four games.
DiLalla noted that Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey, the No. 60 overall pick of the class, won the award for his 3-TD effort in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. However, Eddie Royal (2008) is the last Broncos receiver to win it.
For Bryant, this is the payoff of what Broncos head coach Sean Payton has said all along.
GettyPat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos goes through a drill during the offseason program.
Payton compared Bryant to former New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas, which the Broncos rookie appreciated while making it clear he wanted to carve out his own lane.
However, Payton’s affinity for Bryant went beyond surface-level comparisons.
“There’s little things that we’re coaching up. But you like what you see. I like what I see. And so, he’s tough. And look, there’s things that … you’re immediately on these guys, and that’s good to great. That’s coaching. But interview him, be around him. It’s so important to him,” Payton told reporters following mandatory minicamp in June.
“I would say that’s probably the case with so many of these young guys. It’s not an accident. There’s a profile we’re looking for. And it’s not easy, always. Sometimes that requires more trips and visits. But we’re looking for a certain profile.”
Payton name-dropped Bryant when praising Harvey ahead of the Broncos’ Week 11 showdown against the Chiefs, saying they were “watching Pat Bryant grow right in front of our eyes.”
Bryant can follow up his strong outing in Week 13 against the Washington Commanders.
The New Orleans Saints have another divisional matchup coming up on Sunday.
New Orleans is returning to Caesars Superdome for its first home game since facing off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 26th. That also was Spencer Rattler’s last start before the team turned the offense over to Tyler Shough. The rookie replaced Rattler in the Buccaneers game and then started back-to-back road games against the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers.
Now, Shough’s first start at home will be against the floundering Atlanta Falcons, riding a five-game losing streak. The game is already exciting from the perspective that the rookie will be getting his first start in front of New Orleans fans at home, but there’s more. Saints’ legendary quarterback Drew Brees will be returning to Caesars Superdome, but in a new role as one of the announcers for the contest, as shared by FOX8’s Jesse Brooks.
“When the Saints host their NFC South rival Falcons on Sunday, legendary quarterback Drew Brees will be back in the Superdome,” Brooks wrote. “Brees is the newest member of the NFL on Fox commentary crew. Instead of calling audibles at the line for the Black and Gold, he’ll be calling plays in the broadcast booth.
“The future Hall-of-Fame signal caller made his FOX debut last Sunday (Nov. 16), calling the Packers-Giants game at MetLife Stadium.”
Talk about an exciting day for Saints fans, huh? The rookie quarterback will have a chance to build off a great performance against the Panthers against another division rival with the best quarterback in franchise history up in the booth breaking it all down.
Brees will be joined by Adam Amin and Kristina Pink.
New Orleans is 2-8 right now and is facing off against a 3-7 Falcons team that will be without their starting quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. While this is the case, this will be must-watch television for any Saints fan out there.