ENGLEWOOD, Colorado — Broncos football is back.
Denver will begin its preseason play on Sunday in Indianapolis, and there’s a lot to look forward to as the 2024 Broncos continue their march toward their regular-season opener in Seattle.
All eyes will be on the Broncos’ competition at quarterback, but there is much more to be gained in a matchup with the Colts expected to feature their core players.
“(I got) it, ‘winning,’ underlined twice, exclamation point,” head coach Sean Payton said. “I just think it’s something we train for every week. … Obviously the biggest thing is reducing the 53-man roster and trying to get that right, but also having the mindset to win everything we do.”
Here’s what to look for as the Broncos travel to Indianapolis.
HOW ARE THE BRONCOS QUARTERBACKS PERFORMING?
The Broncos’ quarterback competition enters its next phase on Sunday, when three contenders Jarrett Stidham, Bo Nix and Zach Wilson will try to translate their plays into game action. Head coach Sean Payton announced Friday that Stidham will start the game and Nix will step in as a backup. Nix, who will start the Broncos’ second preseason game against the Packers, could see some time on the first team. Wilson will enter the game after Nix.
Stidham will look to showcase his increasing confidence in the Broncos’ offense, while Nix will be making his first NFL appearance and will look to perform when the game starts to slow down for him. Wilson, who said he doesn’t let his current appearance affect his mindset, said Wednesday he will continue to focus on consistency when he takes the field.
“I want them to play,” Payton said when asked how the quarterbacks should handle the risk. “Play fast. There’s going to be mistakes, and we’re going to correct them. Now there’s a moment in the game where we have to be aggressive. … These guys are playing through their progressions and they’re doing a good job with their reads. When you get into real games, you get a better feel for the pass rush and all the things that come with playing that position.”
With each quarterback expected to play approximately 15 to 20 snaps, everyone will have a chance to excel in this intense competition.
WILL ANYONE GET A FINISH IN POSITIONAL BATTLES?
The battle for the quarterback position is not the only area on the roster where players are competing for jobs.
The Broncos’ initial roster listed Jonas Griffith and Cody Barton as co-starters at inside linebacker alongside Alex Singleton, while Damarri Mathis and Riley Moss were both designated for the first-team right cornerback position.
“Obviously the games have a lot of meaning for the guys fighting for a spot,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Thursday. “There’s (competition) at inside backer, corner and (defensive) line. It’s everywhere. It’s been healthy to watch those guys fight for a spot. Again, it’s a long season. You want to build depth anyway. So everyone’s fighting for a spot.”
Payton said Friday he may substitute various players into the first team during the competition, and those positions are something to keep an eye on, especially early in the game.
DOES DEFENSE INFORM AN “ATTACKER-ENHANCED” ATTITUDE?
One of the main themes of the camp was a new mindset on defense.
Many defenders have talked about the “offensive” style Joseph has implemented, and Sunday’s game will be the first opportunity to see it. In training camp, players like Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper have shown explosive pass-rush skills, while John Franklin-Myers, DJ Jones and Zach Allen have provided a push inside.
“I feel like this is the new norm,” Jones said on July 31. “If you don’t attack, your (defensive) line is waiting and your linebackers have 180 tackles. Attacking is the way.”
Colts quarterback and former fourth-round draft pick Anthony Richardson is expected to play for the first time since his season-ending injury last year, and his mobility could make him the perfect quarterback to test the new mindset.
WHO IS THE NEXT NEW JALEEL MCLAUGHLIN?
Payton has spoken repeatedly about how McLaughlin, a 2023 Rookie of the Year who made the team and carved out a key role for himself, first made his presence felt in a preseason game against the 49ers.
In that matchup, McLaughlin carried the ball seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown, an impressive 6.4 yards per carry average. McLaughlin continued that success, making the team and recording 570 scrimmage yards as a rookie.
The next McLaughlin could show his skills in the season opener, and there are plenty of undrafted rookies who have shown their potential during training camp. Inside linebacker Levelle Bailey and outside linebacker Jaylon Allen have both performed well on defense, while running back Blake Watson still offers interesting potential after missing the start of training camp due to the non-football injury list.
“This is the chance for the guys to make an impression and put into practice what they’ve been working on,” Payton said.
WHAT DOES THE NEW KICKOFF LOOK LIKE?
After a season filled with discussion about the NFL’s intriguing new kickoff rules, the Broncos are now getting their first live exposure to elements of the game, both kickoff coverage and kickoff returns.
Payton has mentioned several times that the Broncos believe the game should play to their strengths, given their success in kickoff coverage in 2023 and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. earning All-Pro honors as a returner.
How much information does the preseason provide about the kickoff? That remains to be seen. Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica acknowledged that teams need to practice the play without giving too much away schematically, while Payton noted that the first four weeks of the regular season could provide more insight into how the play can impact the game.
“I think you have to explore things, just keep gathering information,” special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica said Thursday. “Not just from a technical standpoint, but from a fundamentals standpoint that you’re teaching. There’s an element of strategy. I think when we go out there on Sunday, we really want to see who can block, who’s good at breaking blocks and who can tackle. The evaluation process is still a big part of it, but you have to balance that with the new game as well.”
