Good morning, Broncos Country! When Rod Smith speaks, you listen—and this time, he’s got a bold prediction that has fans buzzing.

A Denver Broncos legend and key part of the team’s back-to-back Super Bowl victories, Smith knows what it takes to build a championship offense. He was there in 1998, when the Broncos fielded one of the most dominant teams in NFL history. That squad had it all: Terrell Davis’s 2,000-yard rushing season, a legendary offensive line, elite receivers, a Hall of Fame tight end, and an all-time great quarterback. But as Smith will tell you, it all started with the running game.

Now, he’s looking at the current Broncos and seeing a similar opportunity. Speaking on the DNVR podcast this week, Smith laid out a compelling vision for quarterback Bo Nix—and it hinges on one thing: a consistent, feared ground attack.

“We got Mims, we got Humphries, we got Franklin, we got Bryant… these guys made plays last year like you can’t believe,” Smith said. “If we get this running game going—a true running game, not just running when you need to—establish the run where people have to fear it and bring eight guys into the box… I’m telling you, Bo Nix will be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Top five.”

Smith’s logic is simple: a dangerous running game opens up everything else. It forces defenses to stack the box, creating space for playmakers and taking pressure off the young quarterback. “He won’t have to win the game himself,” Smith explained. “He’ll let his team shine and get the ball into the right hands.”

For Broncos fans, it’s a tantalizing thought. With a deep receiving corps and a promising QB, the missing piece might just be a ground game that opponents truly fear. If Denver can find that balance—like the championship teams of old—Bo Nix could soar into elite company.