Desperate Broncos Promote Former Chief After Pitiful Week 1 Loss

The Denver Broncos' offense looked lifeless in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, with first-round QB Bo Nix somehow averaging only 3.3 yards per pass with a pair of interceptions on 42 attempts.

They need to find answers quickly and have now turned to a former Kansas City Chief, promoting FB Michael Burton to their 53-man roster ahead of a Week 2 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Burton spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Chiefs before the team eliminated the fullback. Carson Steele brought Andy Reid's favorite position back, though Burton had already moved on. He was in Denver in 2023 but was placed on the practice squad entering this year. Now, he's a full-time Bronco once again.

Broncos Elevate FB Michael Burton to 53-Man Roster

During his time with the Chiefs, the former Rutgers standout had 13 carries for 33 yards and a TD along with five catches for another 42 yards. He was primarily used as a blocker, helping jumpstart the offense with a strong rushing attack when necessary.

Burton didn't touch the ball much in his first year with Denver either, notching just seven carries for nine yards. Given the dink-and-dunk, quick-passing style of the Broncos' offense, he could see the field in tight formations to help protect Nix.

He's not going to suddenly transform their offense into a juggernaut, though he isn't expected to. Head coach Sean Payton has to figure out if Nix is actually a starting-caliber NFL QB. At least through one week, it doesn't look he is.

There's plenty of time for things to change, but it's obvious the AFC West still runs through Kansas City with no prominent challengers on the horizon.

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