Most of the talk around 2nd-year Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant this offseason has centered around where he lands in the battle for the coveted WR3 role on the roster.
The 1st few weeks of training camp have started to change that conversation a bit, and Bryant might be making a run for a much bigger role than anticipated.
Bryant had 35 receptions for 412 yards and 1 touchdown as a rookie but saw injuries derail his season down the stretch.
“Pat Bryant is taking over training camp,” David Talks Broncos said on his official YouTube channel on Thursday. “He’s been taking over that WR1 role for Courtland Sutton as he’s been having his vet days
“The team is grooming (Bryant) to transition into the X role for Courtland Sutton,” ESPN’s Zain Dhanani wrote on his official X account on August 5. “Take: I’ve said this since May — there’s always a chance Sutton takes a step back, turns an ankle, etc to open the door for Pat Bryant. Non-zero chance he takes over the X at some point this season.”
“Pat Bryant makes plays every damn day,” Broncos reporter Ryan Edwards wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “Clear WR3 to me.”
“It’ll be easy to create his role,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on August 3.
Pat Bryant Packed on Muscle in Offseason
Injuries dogged Bryant, 6-foot-2, down the stretch of his rookie season. He talked with DNVR’s Zac Stevens about his offseason recovery program, which included packing on the muscle — he played at around 204 pounds as a rookie.
“I’ve been in (Denver) basically the whole offseason,” Bryant said on May 8. “Nursing my hamstring and overall just getting right, getting my body back, and working with our training staff to be the best version of myself this season … I’ve put on a couple of pounds obviously, coming off that rookie season and not getting to build like I want to build (my body), so it’s putting on a couple of pounds so I can go out there and play without worrying about injuries.”
With a month left in the regular season, Bryant very much seemed on track to become Denver’s top WR2 option, but suffered a nasty concussion in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 on a murder ball from quarterback Bo Nix.
Broncos WRs Headed for Intense Competition
The Broncos offense might finally find the form head coach Sean Payton has been building toward over his 1st 3 seasons, and the wide receivers are at the heart of that.
With Sutton and Jaylen Waddle the clear WR1A and WR1B, the competition to be WR2/Wr3 boils down to Bryant, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey all neck and neck.
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman called Bryant an “Early Breakout Candidate” for the Broncos immediately following the end of the 2025 season.
“Bryant didn’t get many opportunities in the first half of his rookie season, but he became a reliable contributor to Denver’s offense down the stretch,” Wasserman wrote. “Since Week 8, he produced a solid 73.0 PFF receiving grade while placing third on the team with 364 receiving yards. He should continue to garner further opportunities alongside Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin in 2026.”
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