Lamar Jackson (not that one) was waived by the Panthers. Another former Broncos defender was picked up by the Commanders.
A pair of former Denver Broncos defenders made headlines on Monday.
Lamar Jackson (not that one) was waived by the Carolina Panthers with an injury designation. If he clears waivers, Jackson will revert to Carolina’s injured reserve list.
Jackson, 26, played cornerback for the Broncos in 2022, breaking up two passes in three games. He was waived during free agency in 2023 and later joined the Panthers’ practice squad.
Elsewhere, the Washington Commanders signed ex-Denver linebacker Justin Hollins. Hollins, 28, was picked by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Oregon. He was waived during roster cuts in 2020 and landed with the Los Angeles Rams. Hollins spent time with three other teams after the Rams before joining the Commanders this week.
Devin White, Zack Baun, and Nakobe Dean are battling for a starting position, and the Eagles signed Quarterman as a depth signing. Oren Burks is battling an injury, and Brandon Smith is dealing with a concussion.
After C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a shoulder injury, Philadelphia signed former Broncos safety Caden Sterns Sunday morning.
Sterns, 24, was waived by the Broncos last Monday. He was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday but was waived on Thursday with a failed physical designation. Sterns then cleared waivers and became a free agent. He’ll now join his third team in less than a week after signing with the Eagles.
In Philadelphia, Sterns will reunite with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who served as Denver’s head coach when Sterns was a rookie in 2021. Sterns joins Philly’s safety depth chart that includes C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Tristin McCollum and James Bradberry.
The Eagles were previously connected to ex-Broncos safety Justin Simmons, but he remains a free agent. Simmons, 30, visited the New Orleans Saints last week but left his visit without a contract. He is arguably the most notable free agent still available.
Denver, meanwhile, is moving forward with Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner and Devon Key at safety.
Philadelphia Eagles sign Caden Sterns to a 1-year deal
The Eagles are bringing in a familiar face for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The team signed former Broncos safety Caden Sterns days after the Broncos waived him.
The Broncos waived Sterns last Monday, the team announced. A 2021 fifth-round pick, Sterns appeared in 21 games and started five contests for Denver across three seasons.
Sterns spent most of the 2023 season on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending injury in the first game.
The Texas product finished his career in Denver with four interceptions, nine passes defensed, two sacks, 49 tackles, two quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss.
Here are 10 takeaways following the first week of Broncos training camp.
The Denver Broncos started their ramp-up sessions last Wednesday, but the team did not begin official full-speed training camp practices until last Friday. So based on official practices, today marks the end of the first week of Broncos training camp.
So far there’s been one fight — tight end Nate Adkins and outside linebacker Durell Nchami got into it after a run play on Tuesday.
“It’s a scuffle,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the incident after Tuesday’s practice. “Sometimes it doesn’t bother me. In that case, I think we’ll look at the film. I think one player gets blocked pretty well and frustrated. I don’t want discipline fouls, and we’ve all seen it. We talked a little bit about it afterwards, but the guys are working hard.”
That was perhaps Payton’s diplomatic way of telling Nchami to keep a cool head after getting thoroughly blocked by Adkins. That kind of retaliation on a game day would have led to a 15-yard penalty.
Scuffle aside, what did we learn from the first week of training camp? Here are ten quick takeaways from Denver.
Broncos backup swing tackle/guard Quinn Baileyfractured his ankle at Tuesday’s practice, a brutal injury for the 28-year-old lineman. Bailey was set to serve as the team’s “No. 6 lineman” this season, used in “jumbo” formations and filling in whenever a starting tackle or guard was sidelined. It’s now uncertain if Bailey will be able to return in 2024.
“It’s always tough to see and to be a part of when you’re at a practice,” Payton said of the injury. “It’s one of the bitter realities of our game. He was having a really good camp.”
Elsewhere on the injury front, safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) will be out another week or so, Caden Sterns (knee) is being eased into action and lineman Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed) remains sidelined.
2. Quinn Meinerz’s contract exemplifies Payton’s view of o-line
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Denver rewarded guard Quinn Meinerz with a four-year, $80 million contract extension before kicking off training camp. Giving big-money contracts to offensive linemen is nothing new for Payton.
“I think it is the most important position group on your roster,” Payton said last week when asked about valuing the offensive line. “I think it permeates your building. I believe that and it has served us well everywhere I have been.”
Since he arrived last year, Payton quickly emphasized improving the offensive line. He brought in two new starters through free agency last year and gave Meinerz an extension this year. Garett Bolles is up next (more on that later).
“I think it was really stressed to us a lot last year about how for the most part, the team goes as far as the offensive line,” Meinerz said. “So that kind of shows this offensive system and its success that Sean has had in the past. So we’ve understood since this new staff came that came in that the pressure was going to be put on the offensive line and that in the same breath, the way the games go, it’s on us.
“If we win a game, it’s on us, if we lose a game it’s on us and that’s the kind of mentality that we have. Whether it be in practice, individual period, team periods, one-on-ones, weight room, meetings, we know what’s at stake. We know what the pressure is — but I mean the cliché is that pressure makes diamonds. We’re ready for it.”
3. Pat Surtain and Garett Bolles are now on deck
(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)
Following the big extension for Meinerz, star cornerback Pat Surtainand left tackle Garett Bolles are now next in line for new contracts.
Payton said “we will keep you posted” when asked about a potential extension for Surtain, and he confirmed that he wants to re-sign the cornerback. PS2, meanwhile, is focusing on his play.
“There’s no specific timeframe right now,” Surtain said when asked if there’s a timeline for a new deal. “I’m going to let my agent handle that and let that process speak for itself. Right now, my ongoing focus is the football field for sure.”
Bolles is in a similar scenario.
“This team counts on me, so any time that we have voluntary or team meetings or whatever it is, I’m going to be the first one there,” Bolles said. “I love this city and I love this organization. I want to play my whole career here. The front office knows that. They know I want to be a Bronco for life.
“My family is here and established here. We love it here. We don’t want to go anywhere else. My job is to just play good football and the ball is in their court. I just have to do my job and the rest will take care of itself.”
4. Javonte Williams lost weight at Payton’s request
“He set me a goal weight and I got to it,” Williams said last week. The running back stopped eating after 7 p.m. and cut out snacks, including Takis, one of his favorites.
“The type of coach Coach Payton is, he’s seen a lot of great running backs come through,” Williams said. “Anything that he says, I’m going to listen to it. Just for him to even care and just to tell me, ‘This is what I want you to be when you come back to have the best chance to do what you have to do.’ That by itself just showed me that he cared, and if he put that much effort into it, I will too.”
Payton has praised Williams this summer, saying early in camp that the fourth-year running back has looked “real sharp.”
Some fans and pundits speculated this offseason that Williams might have a reduced role in 2024. The team’s backfield rotation, however, suggests that Williams will remain the RB1. The other spots are still up for grabs.
Denver drafted Audric Estime and then signed Blake Watson as a college free agent this spring, adding them to a backfield that already included Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.
“I think we have good competition there,” Payton said. “We have good skill sets and guys that can do different things there. Historically speaking for me, I’ve always believed that that depth is important because there’s a lot of wear and tear in 17 weeks to play with just one runner. It’s good to have him out there.”
It seems fair to assume the Broncos will carry four running backs on the 53-man roster. If they don’t believe Watson can sneak down to the practice squad, Perine could end up being a cap casualty.
“It’s going to be real intense and that’s the way you should want it to be,” Williams said of the RB competition. “No days off, like it says right here, ‘Compete Street,’ and every day we’re coming in and competition [should] be excellent. We’re all just going to get better from it.”
6. Courtland Sutton’s glad to be back with a revised deal
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton skipped the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason program in protest of his contract situation. Sutton reported for all of the mandatory sessions and Denver agreed to revise his contract one day before official training camp practices started last week.
Sutton can now earn an additional $1.5 million through new incentives in 2024 and he’s glad to have the negotiations behind him.
“It was nice,” Sutton said of the incentives being added. “I think it was made pretty clear that this is home for me, and this is where I wanted to be. I’m grateful that we were able to come to some form of an agreement to be able to help both of us move forward.”
With his contract situation sorted out, Sutton is now “like a kid in a candy store” at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit.
“It’s been amazing,” Sutton said. “I think the last time I talked to you guys, I told you that it was killing me not being out on the field with the guys. I’ve just been out here enjoying it like a kid in a candy store. Every little thing is a big thing, and just enjoying it.
“From the individuals [drills], to stretching with the guys, to route on air, being able to finally run plays against the defense, being in the huddle and hearing plays. All of those different things have been such a blessing to be able to do. [I’m] just enjoying each step of the way. It’s been a lot of fun.”
7. Sean Payton likes to have big wide receivers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Broncos have 12 wide receivers on the 90-man offseason roster. Of those receivers, all but three are at least 6-1. Seven are 6-3 or taller. That’s not a coincidence — it’s a Payton preference.
“That position group is going to be interesting as you guys look at it, try to put it together and piece together,” Payton said of the WR room. “It’s a big group, size wise. First year I ever coached in the NFL in 1997 in Philadelphia, we played the 49ers.
“I want to say it’s ’97 — could have been ’98. It was at the old Veteran’s Stadium, and I remember when the Niners’ receivers walked out, it was Jerry Rice, and John Taylor and it was [J.J.] Stokes. I couldn’t get over how they looked. There is a prototype. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be smaller — then they have a different skill set — but in this league, that’s what we’re looking for. This is a big group.”
Courtland Sutton is 6-4, as are Tim Patrick and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. The tallest receiver on the roster is Devaughn Vele (6-5), and Payton’s appreciation of height is something to keep in mind when predicting Denver’s final WR depth chart.
8. Levi Wallace could be a sleeper at cornerback
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
In an ideal world, one of Riley Moss or Damarri Mathis will step up this summer and emerge as the team’s No. 2 cornerback across from Pat Surtain. That’s the preferred scenario. But a veteran like Levi Wallace stepping in as a short-term solution might be a more likely scenario.
“We have a good smart veteran player who has played in a lot of games,” Payton said of Wallace. “With the amount of multiple receiver sets we get, there’s that level of expertise and experience he brings. [He is] steady. I think he brings something to the room as well. I think quietly, he’s been a real good addition for us.”
Wallace has also drawn praise from Surtain, which is notable.
“It’s great,” PS2 said. “Another ‘Bama’ boy, so that’s great for sure. Levi, he’s provided a great presence to our secondary room. His experience — I think this is Year [7] for him. Going into it, he knows a lot about the game, a lot about Xs and Os. It helps a lot because when you have a veteran presence in the defensive back room it helps your game for sure.”
9. The center competition might be Luke Wattenberg’s to lose
(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Luke Wattenberg handled the first-team center duties through the first few days of practice before Alex Forsyth eventually joined the rotation. Forsyth has also been getting some looks at guard, a position Wattenberg has also played in the past. That versatility will serve both players well. Whoever does not end up starting at center can serve as a backup swing guard/center. That might leave center Sam Mustipher as the odd man out.
“He’s smart,” Payton said when asked about Wattenberg. “I think he’s got good versatility. There are traits that you look forward to in a center. You look for guys that obviously are strong inside handling the pash rush. Then it’s how are they at the second level? Often times, that player is able to combo and get up to a linebacker—can they finish? So he’s someone that’s pretty athletic and has a really good ability to get to his second-level blocks.”
10. Quarterback competition seems to have two contenders
Bo Nix Looks Very Accurate at Broncos Training Camp with Deep Ball to Michael Bandy pic.twitter.com/nDl3k6QK1W
It’s no surprise, really, but Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nixseem to be pulling ahead of Zach Wilson in the quarterback battle.
Stidham already has a year of experience in Payton’s offense, which gives him an obvious advantage in the competition. It’s no surprise, then, that many pundits believe Stidham is the best QB1 option at this very moment.
That could change over the next few weeks, though, especially if Nix continues to impress.
Bo Nix is DEALING…just hit Reynolds for a 15 yard gain on a freaking rope over the out stretched hands of Ja’Quan McMillian along the left sideline. What a DIME@KOAColorado#Broncos
The competition will ultimately be decided during preseason. It would be a big upset for Wilson to bounce back and win the job. Whoever looks the best between Stidham and Nix this summer will line up under center when the Broncos go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
First things first, Denver will have three preseason games in August, starting with a road game against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 11. This is just a hunch, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Stidham start the first preseason game and Nix start the second. Perhaps the Broncos could then decide on a starter around the third week of preseason.
That’s just a guess, though. Payton hasn’t revealed his timeline for naming a starter. It’s obviously the story at training camp, and one we’ll continue to follow on Broncos Wire.
Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Caden Sterns, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Malcolm Roach were teammates at Texas and are now reunited in the NFL.
After the Denver Broncos released veteran safety Justin Simmons to save salary cap space this spring, the team signed Brandon Jones in free agency as a replacement.
In Denver, Jones will reunite with several former Texas Longhorns teammates, including fellow safeties P.J. Locke and Caden Sterns. The 26-year-old safety consulted his former college teammates before signing with the Broncos.
“Throughout the whole process, anybody I had connections with at any team in the league, I was kind of picking their brains and seeing what kind of scheme they run,” Jones said in May. “For sure with those two guys. I got into it with them, just tried to learn the defense to see what the similarities and differences were and that sort of stuff.”
Locke and Sterns aren’t the only former Longhorns reuniting with Jones. Broncos wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach also overlapped with those three defensive backs in 2018.
“We had a little ongoing joke today,” Jones said of having three Longhorns at safety. “Every day it is something new. Mostly Malcolm, he kind of instigates everything. It kind of gives a college-type of vibe with us three, but yes, it’s really cool and super unique.”
Jones and Roach arrived at Texas together in 2016 and played four years together before entering the NFL. Now reunited in Denver, not much has changed.
“Malcolm has honestly been the same since we were freshmen in college,” Jones said. “He definitely has vocal leadership qualities. He’s a guy that keeps everybody and holds everybody accountable. [He] goes 100 miles an hour every time he’s on the field and just really brings that juice.”
With five Longhorns on the team — and four of them together on defense — the Broncos will certainly have a Texas vibe this fall.
After missing 28 games over the last two seasons, Broncos safety Caden Sterns will aim to stay healthy this fall in a contract year.
Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fourth-year safety Caden Sterns, No. 23 (formerly No. 30).
Before the Broncos: Sterns (6-1, 207 pounds) played college football for the Texas Longhorns, earning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018. In three seasons at Texas, Sterns totaled 119 tackles (8.5 behind the line), eight pass breakups, five interceptions and two sacks in 29 games.
Broncos tenure: Denver picked Sterns in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He served as a rotational safety as a rookie, totaling 28 tackles, five pass breakups, two sacks and two interceptions in 15 games (two starts).
Sterns started three of the team’s first five games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending hip injury. He was a candidate to start regularly last year before suffering a season-ending patellar tendon injury in Week 1.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. After missing 28 games over the last two seasons, Sterns will aim to stay healthy in 2024 before becoming a free agent in 2025. He is one of three safeties competing for two starting spots at safety, joining Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke. Even if he doesn’t start in Week 1, Sterns will have a key role in Denver’s secondary this fall.
Entering his sixth season, P.J. Locke will aim to win a starting job in 2024 after the Broncos cut Justin Simmons this offseason.
Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year safety P.J. Locke, No. 6.
Before the Broncos: Locke (5-10, 202 pounds) played college football for the Texas Longhorns, totaling 163 tackles, 12 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, three interceptions and 1.5 sacks in four seasons (47 games).
Broncos tenure: Locke entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. After failing to make Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster, Locke signed with Denver’s practice squad four months later. He went on to make the Broncos’ active roster in 2020 and played primarily on special teams over the next two seasons.
Locke emerged as a rotational safety in 2022, totaling 22 tackles and one pass breakup in 16 games. Healthy for 12 games last fall, Locke served as an eight-game starter while Kareem Jackson was suspended and Caden Sterns was injured. Locke had the best season of his career in 2023, recording 53 tackles, three quarterback hits, three sacks and one interception.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. He’s not guaranteed to win a starting job over Sterns and Brandon Jones, but Sterns will be a key member of Denver’s secondary in 2024. He’s a lock to make the active roster this summer.
The Broncos have a crowded safety depth chart, but undrafted rookie Omar Brown will get a chance to compete for a spot this summer.
The Denver Broncos signed college free agent Omar Brown out of Nebraska following the 2024 NFL draft. Brown, who comes in with measurements of 6 feet and weighing 201 pounds, has the chance to perhaps make the roster or the practice squad with a productive summer.
His stats from Nebraska appear solid: he finished his final season with 12 appearances and eight starts. During that time, he totaled 51 tackles while adding three tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. His production allowed him to become an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection.
Check out his highlights:
Competing at a crowded position, Brown will face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster this summer. Brandon Jones, Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke top the safety depth chart with JL Skinner, Delarrin Turner-Yell and Brown behind them. If there’s not room on the active roster, Brown should be a strong candidate for the practice squad in 2024.
The Broncos might go into 2024 with Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke as their starting safeties. The biggest question: Can they stay healthy?
The era of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson has come to an end.
Simmons had been starting for the Broncos since 2017. Jackson started across from Simmons from 2019-2023 (until suspensions ultimately led to his release). Jackson is gone and Simmons has now been cut as well.
So who will start at safety for Denver in 2024?
The team’s safeties currently under contract are Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell, J.L. Skinner, Devon Key and Tanner McCalister. P.J. Locke, who started eight games in the place of Jackson last year, is scheduled to become a free agent next week.
Locke should be a priority in-house free agent for the Broncos. He has proven himself as a capable starter and Denver will need him to step up in 2024 (assuming he returns). Locke will likely be paired with Sterns, who was a candidate to start over Jackson last year before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
On paper, Locke and Sterns certainly look like a capable pair of starting safeties. The biggest concern will be if they can stay healthy. Locke missed five games last year and Sterns missed 28 of a possible 34 games over the last two seasons due to injuries.
When healthy, Locke and Sterns are starting-caliber defensive backs, but the Broncos will need to add more depth at safety this offseason.
