Category: Broncos Buzz

Broncos’ schedule for Day 11 of training camp

The Broncos practice at 10 a.m. today. Gates to the parking lot open at 8 and gates to the practice facility open at 9. Tickets are required

The Denver Broncos will hit the practice field at 10:00 a.m. MT on Wednesday, Aug. 9 for Day 11 of the team’s 2023 training camp schedule. The practice is free to attend, but a free ticket is required (more on that below).

Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at 13403 Broncos Pkwy beginning at 8:00 a.m. Gates to the practice facility open at 9 a.m. Seating will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis, primarily on the berm on the west end of the practice fields. There will also be some ADA seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because the berm is not shaded, fans who attend practice are encouraged to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. Fans can bring the same kind of small bags that are allowed at the team’s stadium. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are not allowed at practice.

Due to Arapahoe County enforcing a 3,000 capacity limit for events at the team’s Centura Health Training Center, fans will need a (free) ticket to attend training camp practices this year.

Those free tickets quickly “sold out,” but fans should check availability on Ticketmaster because some tickets could be returned. (If you have free tickets and cannot attend a practice, there is an easy process to return tickets so other fans can use them.)

Some players will be available to sign autographs at the west end of the practice fields after each practice session.

The team’s complete (open) training camp schedule can be seen below.

Broncos 2023 Training Camp Schedule

Date Day Start Time
7/28 Friday 10 a.m. MT
7/29 Saturday 10 a.m. MT
7/31 Monday 10 a.m. MT
8/1 Tuesday 10 a.m. MT
8/2 Wednesday 10 a.m. MT
8/4 Friday 10 a.m. MT
8/5 Saturday 10 a.m. MT
8/8 Tuesday 10 a.m. MT
8/9 Wednesday 10 a.m. MT
8/15 Tuesday 10 a.m. MT
8/16 Wednesday 10 a.m. MT
8/17 Thursday 10 a.m. MT

Fans should note that Denver’s practice schedule is subject to change due to weather. Be sure to check the team’s official Twitter page for the latest updates on the practice schedule.

The Broncos will play three preseason games in August ahead of their regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 10. View the team’s complete regular season schedule here.

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Broncos backup QB Jarrett Stidham a player to watch in preseason

Jarrett Stidham will make his orange and blue debut when the Broncos face the Cardinals in their preseason opener on Friday.

Earlier this offseason, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said he views backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham as a prospect who could eventually become a starter in the NFL.

That remark from Payton raised some eyebrows given that starter Russell Wilson is coming off the worst season of his career. Just how soon could Stidham be deemed a starting-worthy QB? That remains to be seen.

Payton was asked about the QB’s progress at training camp after a practice session last week.

“The film [of him] we had were two games from the end of the season and preseason tape all the way back to New England,” Payton said on Aug. 1. “I think he’s getting more and more familiar with what we are doing offensively.

“He made a couple of good throws today on third down. He can beat you with his feet a little bit as well. I think it’s just getting the system down and the timing with the other receivers. He’s handling the installs well. He’s smart.”

Stidham has completed 58.8% of his passes in his career for 926 yards with six touchdowns against seven interceptions. He made several relief appearances with the New England Patriots from 2019-2020 and started two games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season.

Stidham will now aim to impress during preseason and wait for a potential opportunity down the road.

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This player could be a secret weapon for the Broncos’ run game

“He has been one of the better run-blocking tight ends [in the NFL],” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Chris Manhertz.

The Denver Broncos made an underrated signing during free agency with little fanfare.

New coach Sean Payton signed tight end Chris Manhertz to a two-year contract, a move that flew under the radar among fans because Manhertz has just 24 career receptions on his resume.

How could a tight end with so little involvement in the passing game be a big addition to the offense? The answer: run blocking.

“I think in order to run the ball, it’s hard to do without a blocking tight end or someone that can handle the ‘D-gap,'” Payton said on July 29. “We found Chris in New Orleans on a free agent tryout with no football experience. [He] was a basketball player. A close friend of mine sent me a little video on my phone, and we brought him in. Our vision when we worked him out was that receiving, Jimmy Graham-type tight end. It actually was interesting because he developed into a really, really physical player at the line of scrimmage.

“Unfortunately for us then, Carolina picked him up off our practice squad, and then he went to Jacksonville. I would say within the last five years, he has been one of the better run-blocking tight ends. That and then his makeup, his character and he’s a tremendous guy. You can have a lot of things going for you relative to running the football, but you end up playing jumbo tackles, maybe, if you don’t have a blocking tight end. He just does a lot of those things well. You know exactly what you’re getting from him which allows you to gameplan easier on Wednesday and Thursday nights.”

Manhertz might not be a household name in Denver, but he’s probably a near-lock to make the 53-man roster given the role he could have in Payton’s offense. He has been called one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, and that could prove to be extremely valuable to a Broncos team that is expected to run early and often in 2023.

Manhertz wasn’t a flashy signing, but he was an important one.

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Here’s what Sean Payton is looking for in a Broncos kick returner

Broncos coach Sean Payton wants to see reliability and ball security from the team’s kickoff and punt return candidates during preseason.

The Denver Broncos averaged 8.3 yards per punt return last season, marking the 12th-worst average in the NFL. On kickoffs, the team averaged 17.5 yards per return, which ranked dead last in the league.

When new head coach Sean Payton arrived this offseason, he made it a priority to improve special teams. The Broncos changed punters and kickers this offseason, and the kick return job will be up for grabs this summer.

So what is Payton looking for in the team’s next returner?

“The first thing is reliability and ball security,” Payton said on July 29. “There is nothing worse than when the ball is in the air and you have that, ‘I hope he catches it’ [feeling]. That is something where the preseason will help show its hand a little bit. I kind of get back to [Mike] Westhoff, [Ben] Kotwica and even [Chris] Banjo, but the investment we’ve made in our special teams, both on the field and upstairs, is significant.

“We’re going to have the opportunity to return in the kickoff and hopefully — I know it’s tough here because of the altitude — when we get those return opportunities in the punt game, we’re going to have great schemes and designs to give these guys a chance. The key is then — we have a great producer, let’s find someone that can take advantage of that. That will be important.”

Candidates to handle return duties for Denver this season include Montrell Washington, Marvin Mims and Jaleel McLaughlin. The players vying for the return job will get their first in-game chance to impress when the Broncos face the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener on Friday.

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Broncos rookie RB Jaleel McLaughlin has impressed so far

“He’s shifty, and he has good change of direction,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin.

So far, so good for Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin.

The NCAA’s all-time leading rusher, McLaughlin signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent this spring and he made a good first impression on head coach Sean Payton.

“He has a little burst, and there’s some toughness to him,” Payton said on July 31. “He’s the first one here. I don’t know what time he gets here in the morning, but it’s pretty early. He’s a guy you root for. He’s shifty, and he has good change of direction.”

Payton was asked just how early McLaughlin has been arriving at the facility and the coach said it’s been before the field staff around at 5 a.m. Payton then implied that McLaughlin’s undrafted status won’t hurt his chances of making the team.

“We say this to all of them: once they get in the room, how they got here — drafted, undrafted, free agent, free agency — it doesn’t matter. We kind of held true to that in our years in New Orleans. We had a ton of free agents play for us that deserved to play, so we try to evaluate everyone.”

McLaughlin’s performance in preseason will ultimately prove to be more important than how early he arrives at the facility each morning. If the running back plays well in the team’s preseason games this month, McLaughlin will have a real chance to win the RB3 job behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.

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Russell Wilson served as executive producer for Amazon’s new football series

Russell Wilson served as an executive producer for “God, Family, Football,” a new show which will stream on Amazon Freevee on Sept. 1.

While Russell Wilson suffered a dip in his reputation due to his on-the-field performance and over-exposure off the field in 2022, his brand is recovering after a quieter offseason this past summer.

Wilson is back in the media, recently serving as an executive producer for Amazon’s new football series: God, Family, Football.

Wilson serving as executive producer for this series reflects his ethos as a player, husband, and brand. The show will cover Evangel Christian Academy as its football team navigates its 2022 high school football season.

The excerpt goes as follows:

God. Family. Football. features the rich, diverse personal stories of Evangel’s players, coaching staff, and the broader Shreveport community, set against the dramatic backdrop of the 2022 Louisiana high school football season.

With the perennial high school football powerhouse—14 state championships in the last 20 years—coming off their worst season in school history, redemption is everyone’s goal.

If the trailer above tickles your fancy, check out the series when it premiers on Sept. 1 on Amazon Freevee.

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Broncos’ schedule for Day 10 of training camp

The Broncos practice at 10 a.m. today. Gates to the parking lot open at 8 and gates to the practice facility open at 9. Tickets are required

The Denver Broncos will hit the practice field at 10:00 a.m. MT on Tuesday, Aug. 8 for Day 10 of the team’s 2023 training camp schedule. The practice is free to attend, but a free ticket is required (more on that below).

Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at 13403 Broncos Pkwy beginning at 8:00 a.m. Gates to the practice facility open at 9 a.m. Seating will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis, primarily on the berm on the west end of the practice fields. There will also be some ADA seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because the berm is not shaded, fans who attend practice are encouraged to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. Fans can bring the same kind of small bags that are allowed at the team’s stadium. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are not allowed at practice.

Due to Arapahoe County enforcing a 3,000 capacity limit for events at the team’s Centura Health Training Center, fans will need a (free) ticket to attend training camp practices this year.

Those free tickets quickly “sold out,” but fans should check availability on Ticketmaster because some tickets could be returned. (If you have free tickets and cannot attend a practice, there is an easy process to return tickets so other fans can use them.)

Some players will be available to sign autographs at the west end of the practice fields after each practice session.

The team’s complete training camp schedule can be seen below.

Broncos 2023 Training Camp Schedule

Date Day Start Time
7/28 Friday 10 a.m. MT
7/29 Saturday 10 a.m. MT
7/31 Monday 10 a.m. MT
8/1 Tuesday 10 a.m. MT
8/2 Wednesday 10 a.m. MT
8/4 Friday 10 a.m. MT
8/5 Saturday 10 a.m. MT
8/8 Tuesday 10 a.m. MT
8/9 Wednesday 10 a.m. MT
8/15 Tuesday 10 a.m. MT
8/16 Wednesday 10 a.m. MT
8/17 Thursday 10 a.m. MT

Fans should note that Denver’s practice schedule is subject to change due to weather. Be sure to check the team’s official Twitter page for the latest updates on the practice schedule.

The Broncos will play three preseason games in August ahead of their regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 10. View the team’s complete regular season schedule here.

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Peyton Manning, Von Miller comment on DeMarcus Ware reaching Hall of Fame

Super Bowl 50 teammates Peyton Manning and Von Miller reacted to DeMarcus Ware’s Hall of Fame nod on Saturday night.

DeMarcus Ware was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday as he joined fellow Denver Broncos greats including John Elway, Terrell Davis and Peyton Manning.

Ware played nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, but he became a Broncos legend due to his three seasons in the Mile High City. In three seasons, Ware appeared in two Pro Bowls, racked up 21.5 sacks, and helped anchor a star-studded defense in the 2015 season as Denver won the Super Bowl for that season.

To commemorate the occasion, Manning and fellow Super Bowl champion teammate Von Miller spoke on Ware getting the prestigious honor.

“His impact was immediate,” Manning told the team’s official website. “It was a real honor and privilege to play with him and especially now to call him a friend.”

“I owe him my career,” Miller said. “When he came to the Denver Broncos, it was life-changing for me.”

Congratulations to Ware on the incredible honor!

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Broncos coach Sean Payton on QB Russell Wilson: ‘I like where he’s at’

“I think he’s doing well,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of QB Russell Wilson.

As the Denver Broncos go into their first week of preseason, reviews of quarterback Russell Wilson’s performance at training camp have been mixed from pundits. As for coach Sean Payton, he has been pleased with the quarterback’s progress from the spring to summer learning a new offense.

“Obviously, he is moving around well, his weight is down, he is in really good shape and he’s working really hard,” Payton said on Aug. 1. “There are a lot of nuances still we are working through. There were some good things in the running game today. Each day, you kind of look at the film and you start again with the corrections. I have been pleased with his progress and where he is at dating back to the offseason and to where we are now into our first full week.”

Payton was asked again about Wilson’s progress after practice on Aug. 3 and the coach doubled down on his assessment that the QB is progressing well.

“I think he’s doing well,” Payton said. “I like what I’ve seen. I said it yesterday. There are times when you’re not seeing a clean picture and he’s scrambling. In a game-type mode, though, where we’re running the ball more and with the installations that we’re doing — I think he’s doing well. I like where he’s at.”

Wilson had the worst season of his career in 2022, but he is now playing in a new offense with a new coach in Payton who has had success with a variety of quarterbacks in his coaching career. If there’s anyone who can help Wilson turn his career around, it’s Payton. So far, so good, according to the coach.

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Broncos fans have a funny idea for the Jets game in Week 5

Our friends at Mile High Report have suggested counting down the play clock when the Jets have the ball against the Broncos in Week 5.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton blasted ex-Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett during an interview with USA TODAY before training camp started last month.

Payton referenced the team’s struggles to get plays into the huddle and their high number of pre-snap penalties last season. Before that interview, Payton previously joked that fans won’t have to count down the play clock this season like they did for Hackett’s offense last year.

Hackett now serves as an offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, and several of his players and coaching peers have responded to Payton’s remarks. The Broncos are set to host the Jets in Week 5 this season and one fan suggested a funny idea for poking fun at the situation.

“Since it looks like this is turning into a feud, the obvious response would be for fans to count down the playclock for Rodgers when he comes to Mile High,” bigskygriz commented on Mile High Report last week.

That would certainly be a funny way to reference last season’s struggles under Hackett, but it could actually prove to be helpful to New York’s offense if they are alerted the clock is ticking down. Perhaps fans could do so in obvious situations where there’s plenty of clock left and then resort to typical rowdy noise when there’s a possibility of a delay of game penalty.

The Broncos will host the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 8 (full schedule here).

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