Category: Broncos Buzz

How much will starters play in the Broncos’ first preseason game?

Broncos starters are expected to play 15-18 snaps against the Cardinals in their preseason opener.

The Denver Broncos are on the road this week to face the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener on Friday night.

Broncos coach Sean Payton announced last week that Denver will play its starters in preseason, but just how much playing time those starters will get in Arizona remains to be seen.

“I don’t look at length, I look at snaps,” Payton said on Aug. 7. “I don’t know — 15 snaps, 17, 18 snaps. Somewhere in there. Phase 1, then Phase 2, then Phase 3.

“You could be in Phase 1 on offense and Phase 2 on defense because the game started with maybe a lot of plays where your defense was on the field, if that makes any sense. It’s not time in the game, it’s really more of a pitch count for these guys.”

In other words, the Broncos’ starters do not have a set time (such as a quarter), but rather a set snap count. So if their opening drive lasts 15 plays, that could be it for Russell Wilson and the other starters. But if the team goes three-and-out on back-to-back drives, the offense would presumably go back out for a third drive.

So it’s unclear exactly what time in the game Denver’s starters will return to the sideline, but fans should expect around 15 plays or so on Friday night.

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Jared Allen serving as a ‘guest coach’ with the Broncos

Jared Allen is not an official member of Sean Payton’s staff, but he will serve as a “guest coach” with the Broncos several times this year.

Former NFL pass rusher Jared Allen attended a Denver Broncos training camp session earlier this week and coached up the team’s pass rushers.

After practice, Broncos coach Sean Payton said Allen will serve as a “guest coach” for parts of the 2023 season.

“He’s one of the guest coaches,” Payton said Wednesday. “He’s in for a few days throughout the season, helping us with pass rush. I told him he’s putting his toe in the water with coaching right now. He hasn’t jumped in the cold pool yet.”

Allen played for Minnesota Vikings from 2008-2013, overlapping with then-Vikings executive George Paton, who now serves as Denver’s general manager.

“We played against those guys a lot,” Payton said of facing Allen’s teams in the past. “Then over the years, I got to know him really well. His name came up in the offseason, and he was interested. We spoke a number of times. He came in during the spring. We’ll have him kind of on a schedule here.”

Allen played for the Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers during his 12-year career. He totaled 136 sacks in 187 games and he ranks 12th on the NFL’s all-time lack list.

Allen faced the Broncos nine times in his career. Allen’s teams went 3-6 on those contests and the defensive end totaled 2.5 sacks against Denver. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

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Sean Payton says RB Javonte Williams is 100% healthy

“He’s 100% right now,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of running back Javonte Williams, who has quickly recovered from 2022’s knee injury.

If true, this is remarkable.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams tore both his ACL and LCL last October, putting his Week 1 status for the 2023 season in doubt. Now, ten months after the injury, Williams has completely recovered, according to head coach Sean Payton.

“It’s a credit to him,” Payton said of Williams’ speedy recovery during a recent interview with CBS Sports. “When I got hired, it was during the offseason, he was in here every day getting treatment. At that time, with that type of injury, you expect him to be PUP at training camp, but he’s one of those guys that healed quickly.

“He’s getting work out here. I don’t know how many snaps I’ll give him Friday, but he’s 100% right now. He’s got good vision, great makeup. He’s great to be around.”

Payton did not specifically say how much — if at all — Williams will play against the Arizona Cardinals in the team’s preseason opener, but the coach previously said Williams will play in Week 2 of preseason.

Williams, 23, is entering his third season in the NFL. If he has truly fully recovered from last season’s knee injury, it’s a remarkable feat. Now the Broncos will hope he can return to pre-injury form this season.

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Broncos worked out two players on Wednesday

The Broncos worked out wide receivers Ra’Shaun Henry and J.J. Koski on Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos brought in a pair of wide receivers for workouts on Wednesday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

The Broncos hosted Ra’Shaun Henry and J.J. Koski this week ahead of Friday’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Henry (6-3, 190 pounds) began his college career at Saint Francis University before later transferring to the University of Virginia. After totaling 41 receptions for 809 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons (21 games) with the Cavaliers, Henry went undrafted in 2022.

Henry initially signed with the Carolina Panthers as a college free agent and he has since spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. He remains a free agent after Wednesday’s workout in Denver.

Koski (6-1, 195 pounds) played college football at Cal Poly and entered the NFL as a college free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. He spent the last three years in L.A., mostly on the practice squad or injured reserve.

Koski appeared in five games during the 2021 season and returned two punts and five kickoffs. In the regular season, he has played exclusively on special teams (47 snaps) in his NFL career so far. At the time of publication, Koski remains a free agent.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton referenced in first episode of ‘Hard Knocks’

Following his comments about Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos HC Sean Payton was a topic on the first episode of ‘Hard Knocks.’

HBO and NFL Films released the first 2023 episode of Hard Knocks on Tuesday. This year, camera crews are following the New York Jets through training camp and preseason.

Before camp started, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton went viral when he slammed ex-Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett, who now serves as an offensive coordinator with the Jets.

Payton’s comments spurred plenty of reactions from New York, but Hard Knocks didn’t give much attention to the incident. The show included already-aired public responses from Hackett, head coach Robert Saleh and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but no behind-the-scenes conversations or show-specific interviews were featured.

That wasn’t Payton’s only reference in the first episode, though. Hackett and Rodgers have a passing accuracy competition after practice and they attempt to psyche each other out “BASEketball” style.

As Hackett is about to throw, Rodgers shouts “Sean Payton!” to throw off the coach.

“That was a good one,” Hackett admitted.

The Broncos will host the Jets in Week 5 this season in a game that will be must-watch TV.

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Ex-Broncos DL Shelby Harris signs with new team

A few weeks after visiting the Broncos, Shelby Harris has signed a one-year deal with the Browns.

Shelby Harris won’t be returning to the Denver Broncos, at least not in 2023.

Harris has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. The veteran defensive lineman will now play for his third team in three years.

Harris can earn “up to” $5.25 million through incentives, but it’s unclear what his base salary will be this year. As a player with seven accrued seasons, the league minimum salary for Harris is $1.165 million.

After losing Eyioma Uwazurike to an indefinite suspension for gambling, the Broncos brought in Harris for a free agent visit last month. Harris ended up leaving the visit without a deal and he will now land in Cleveland instead.

Harris, 31, played in Denver from 2017-2021, totaling 203 tackles, 44 quarterback hits, 25 pass breakups and 21.5 sacks in 75 games. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks last year as part of the Russell Wilson trade.

The Broncos released their first depth chart of 2023 this week and Jonathan Harris is listed as a starting defensive end across from Zach Allen.

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2 ex-Saints WRs getting another chance under Sean Payton with Broncos

Reunited with Sean Payton, Broncos wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey will aim to impress during preseason.

After joining the Denver Broncos in February, new head coach Sean Payton went on to sign several former New Orleans Saints players, including a pair of wide receivers.

Payton signed Marquez Callaway, who had a breakout season under Payton in 2021, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who started four games in 2021. Both receivers will now get a second chance with the coach on a new team.

“They have size, they understand the offense, and they are guys that have played for us for different reasons,” Payton said when asked about Callaway and Humphrey on Aug. 4. “Marquez played when Michael Thomas got injured and was out. Lil’Jordan played quite a bit. He was one of those players on the practice squad that would come up in the event of an injury.

“They are familiar with the system. They’re big, but they are still getting through it right now. I’m waiting to see something from both of those two guys. I’m expecting to see a little bit more. [It was] just from an experience standpoint.”

Callaway played all 17 games in 2021, earning 11 starts. He hauled in 46 receptions for 698 yards and six touchdowns in those contests. That same season, Humphrey caught 13 passes for 249 yards and two scores in 10 games (four starts).

Both players had the best seasons of their respective careers under Payton in 2021, the coach’s final year in New Orleans. Now reunited with Payton, the receivers will aim to impress during preseason this summer.

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Sean Payton has seen some ‘2019’ Courtland Sutton this summer

Sean Payton said watching Courtland Sutton’s 2019 film was “really impressive,” and he wants to see the receiver return to that form.

Courtland Sutton had a breakout season with the Denver Broncos in 2019, earning a Pro Bowl nod after catching 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns. All of those totals represented career highs.

Sutton then tore his ACL in 2020 and he has since struggled to return to that 2019 form. Last year, the 27-year-old receiver totaled 64 receptions for 829 yards and two touchdowns. Respectable numbers, but not the kind of numbers he posted as a second-year pro in 2019.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said last week that he’s reviewed film of Sutton’s entire career, and he’s seen flashes of the “2019” Sutton this summer.

“I feel like he’s transitioning well,” Payton said of Sutton on Aug. 3. “I think he’s running well. I feel his strength. We watched a number of seasons on a few of these players. If you just watch one season, you might have a set opinion.

“When we watched him in 2019, for instance, it was really impressive. We talked to him about some of the things we saw him do. Fortunately, we’ve seen some of that in this camp, so we’ll keep going.”

Sutton (6-4, 216 pounds) has the size to make contested catches, an ability that could prove to be valuable in Payton’s offense this season.

“It’s a good trait,” Payton said. “I like his size. We kind of favor bigger receivers, so he fits that prototype, or that type that we like.”

Denver received trade interest in Sutton this spring, but Payton chose to keep the receiver rather than acquire more draft picks. That’s a sign that the coach sees potential for a key role for Sutton going forward.

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10 takeaways from the Broncos’ first depth chart of 2023

Here are 10 quick takeaways from the Broncos’ first depth chart of 2023.

The Denver Broncos are required to release a depth chart the week of their first preseason game each year, and the team’s first 2023 depth chart was unveiled on Wednesday.

Broncos coach Sean Payton downplayed the preseason depth chart on Monday, saying “we have to [release it]” when asked about it.

“Just understand, we can’t write it in pencil, but it’s in pencil,” the coach said.

The depth chart is obviously subject to change, and it undoubtedly will change over the course of preseason, but it gives fans an initial look at where things stand going into Friday’s preseason opener.

Here are 10 quick takeaways from the team’s first depth chart of 2023.

Tony Jones could be a sleeper to watch for during Broncos preseason

One advantage Tony Jones has over Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin is his experience playing in Sean Payton’s offense.

The Denver Broncos are pleased with the recovery of Javonte Williams, who has bounced back from a 2022 knee injury and is on track to be ready for Week 1.

Denver’s staff is also happy with Samaje Perine, who signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the team this spring. Williams and Perine will serve as a one-two punch as the primary running backs in the Broncos’ offense this fall.

The team’s third-string running back position is still up for grabs. The candidates for the RB3 job are Tyler Badie, undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin and Tony Jones.

McLaughlin and Badie both have their strengths, and either one of them could end up making the team, but Jones has the advantage of having experience playing in a Sean Payton offense.

“He’s a young player,” Payton said of Jones on Aug. 3. “That had a lot to do with [signing him]. We felt somewhat positive about him in New Orleans. He had a couple of injuries — got hurt against Carolina in a game he was going to play quite a bit. We had kind of a COVID-19 [issue] with the running backs.

“He’s young, and we felt like we wanted to give him a good evaluation here. He’s smart, and I think he can be a steady back. I think the key — and I mentioned this to him before he left for the spring — he’s going to have to open some eyes in the kicking game. What else can you do? That will be important.”

Payton made it clear to Jones that if he’s going to make the team, the 25-year-old running back will have to contribute on special teams. Jones played under Payton with the Saints from 2020-2021, earning five starts during that time. He has 67 career carries for 179 yards and 10 receptions for 59 yards in 18 career games.

Jones will have to separate himself from Badie and McLaughlin during preseason if he wants to make the 53-man roster. In order to do that, Jones will have to excel not only on offense but also on special teams. He’ll get his first opportunity when the Broncos face the Arizona Cardinals on Friday.

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