Broncos rely on sixth lineman

The Denver Broncos deployed their sixth offensive lineman on 14 plays against the Arizona Cardinals, their highest usage of the formation this season. The strategy yielded immediate results for a slumping offense. Denver averaged 5.9 yards per carry when Alex Palczewski was on the field. The team also completed a 14-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle during those snaps.

Palczewski serves as the primary eligible player in these heavy packages. His jersey reads No. 63 Eligible. Fans near the press box at Empower Field at Mile High often stand and cheer when the loudspeaker announces his eligibility. Despite his visibility in Denver, his most impactful performance occurred in Arizona. The extra lineman allows the Broncos to execute simple running concepts with greater efficiency.

Center Luke Wattenberg noted that plays run with Palczewski are generally designed for short gains of four or five yards. The team favors basic concepts such as duo. Wattenberg described the running style as heavier, comparing the impact to body blows. This approach aligns with a league-wide trend toward heavier personnel packages. Pro Football Focus data shows teams used six offensive linemen on 7% of all plays in 2025. That was the highest frequency since 2016 through the first 14 weeks of a season.

Denver used a sixth offensive lineman 116 times last season. Frank Crum initially held that role before Palczewski moved into the starting lineup. Crum remains in the rotation and made franchise history by catching a touchdown pass in the AFC divisional round against the Buffalo Bills. On that play, Crum signaled the referee by wiping his stomach, the standard gesture for reporting as an eligible receiver.

The Broncos practice this signal daily to avoid costly penalties. Left tackle Mike McGlinchey cited a 2023 game between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys as a cautionary tale. Referee Brad Allen nullified a 2-point conversion because Lions tackle Taylor Decker failed to properly report as eligible. McGlinchey said coaches monitor the players closely to confirm the signal was seen.

Denver has run the ball on 74.1% of plays with Palczewski on the field. Excluding seven snaps inside the 3-yard line, the split shifts to 71% run and 29% pass. Head coach Sean Payton uses the jumbo package to force defenses into their base formations. Payton explained that certain plays are designed specifically for base defensive structures. Putting in the jumbo package ensures the opponent matches with their full personnel.

The coaching staff also studies opponent tendencies to exploit specific defensive looks. Payton noted that modern defenses often deploy sub packages that resemble Buffalo Bills style units. By forcing the base defense, Denver can execute its preferred game plan. The team continues to lean on this formation as the ground game seeks more traction this season.