Tag: Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson still has a role to play with the Broncos this season

Josh Johnson didn’t win the QB2 job, but he’ll still have a role to play with the Broncos this season.

Josh Johnson didn’t win the Denver Broncos’ backup quarterback job, but he’ll still have a role to play with the team this season.

Denver opted to go with Brett Rypien as Russell Wilson’s backup, but the team also re-signed Johnson to the practice squad, so both backup QBs will remain with the team.

“Both of those guys did a really good job,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday. “They really did. It was a very hard decision for all of us, for our entire staff. So much respect for Josh and ‘Ryp.’

“I think that just from a consistency standpoint, ‘Ryp’ edged him out just a little bit, but it doesn’t say that we wouldn’t be absolutely ecstatic to have Josh go in for a game if we needed to. So, it was definitely a very close competition.”

Broncos fans will hope Wilson’s available for every game this year, but if the team ever does need another QB on the active roster, Johnson will be ready for a call-up from the practice squad at any point during the season.

And even if Johnson spends the entire year on the practice squad, he’ll be a candidate to mimic Denver’s upcoming opposing quarterback in practice each week, and that’s a key part of game preparation.

Johnson won’t have a flashy job with the Broncos — which has been the case for most of his journeyman career — but he’s an experienced, veteran QB who will be ready if called on this season.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=685288]

Here’s why Brett Rypien won the Broncos’ backup QB job

“I just think the way ‘Ryp’ operated the offense [and] the way he moved the team,” Broncos GM George Paton said of QB Brett Rypien.

Josh Johnson was among the Denver Broncos’ early roster cuts on Tuesday, a sign that Brett Rypien had won the team’s backup quarterback job.

Rypien is set to serve as the QB2 this year behind starter Russell Wilson. After the Broncos set their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, general manager George Paton explained why Rypien was picked over Johnson.

“It was really tough,” Paton said. “Brett and Josh had a great competition. It came down to the final game. The body at work, both these guys did a lot of really good things. I just think the way ‘Ryp’ operated the offense, the way he moved the team, he did some really good things. … but it was a really close competition. We hope to get Josh back as well.”

Denver did manage to also bring Johnson back, signing him to the 16-player practice squad on Wednesday. Johnson will be available to be called up to the active roster at any time, but he’ll begin the season as QB3.

Ultimately, the Broncos’ success this year likely rests on Wilson, so fans will hope Denver doesn’t have to turn to a backup QB in 2022.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=685130]

Broncos cut quarterback Josh Johnson

The Broncos will cut quarterback Josh Johnson, which presumably means Brett Rypien won the QB2 job.

The Denver Broncos have released quarterback Josh Johnson, according to multiple reports.

This presumably means that Brett Rypien has won the backup quarterback job behind Russell Wilson, but it’s worth noting that teams can still claim players off waivers on Wednesday, so Denver might not be done making moves just yet.

Johnson completed 66% of his throws for 349 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in three preseason games, recording a 97.1 passer rating.

Rypien completed 67.7% of his passes for 441 yards with one touchdown and one interception in preseason, good for a passer rating of 85.5.

“I give so much credit to both those guys,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said after the team’s preseason finale on Saturday. “They came in here, they learned a brand-new system, both of them, and they bought in. They have understood what we’re trying to accomplish. They understand the intent of all the plays that we’re trying to do.

“You can see that with the efficiency that they have had. We only had that one pick today that was down by the redzone. Besides that, they were great with the football in their hands. They were proficient.”

If he clears waivers, Johnson will presumably be a candidate to re-join the team on the practice squad as the third-string quarterback.

We are tracking all of the team’s roster moves on this page.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

3 takeaways from Broncos’ 23-13 win over Vikings

After the Broncos’ win over the VIkings, here are some of the biggest takeaways going into Week 1.

The Denver Broncos won their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday evening. There could be a bunch of takeaways from this game, but we are only going to focus on the top three as the team wraps up preseason.

Broncos’ backup QB competition down to final preseason game

Who do you think will win the Broncos’ backup QB job — Josh Johnson or Brett Rypien?

The Denver Broncos’ competition for the backup quarterback job has reached the final week of preseason, and there’s no obvious front runner.

Josh Johnson started the team’s first two preseason games, but Brett Rypien will start the team’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, and the team’s staff has said the competition is still open.

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett has seen moments of strong play from each QB this summer, but both QBs have also made some mistakes. Hackett said Thursday that he wants to see consistency from the QBs against Minnesota.

“Consistency is the big one,” Hackett said. “You want to be sure that they’re going out there, executing the plan, understanding when we want to change plays or keep the same play on, understanding the progressions and all those things, and making good decisions.

“To this point, they have made some pretty good decisions, so we want them to continually take care of the ball, also.”

Johnson has played the first halves of Denver’s first two preseason games. He’s completed 61.5% of his passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Rypien played in the second half of games, completing 68.2% of his throws for 304 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers.

Saturday night will be their last chance to win the job.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=684378]

Broncos will start QB Brett Rypien in final preseason game

The Broncos will start QB Brett Rypien in their preseason finale on Saturday.

Brett Rypien, you’re up.

After starting Josh Johnson in their first two preseason games, the Denver Broncos will start Rypien in their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed Wednesday.

“I think ‘Ryp’ has earned an opportunity to be able to go the first half,” Hackett said. “I think he had a really good game last week. He’s improved, and again, we’re looking for consistency from that position.

“It’s not saying that Josh hasn’t done good because he has done a fine job. We just want to be sure that we get both those guys because they have been working so hard and pushing each other. Their competition is a great one.”

Johnson (36) has completed 61.5% of his passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions through two games, good for a 96.3 passer rating.

Playing in the second half of the two games that Johnson started, Rypien (26) has completed 68.2% of his passes for 304 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, good for a 95.3 passer rating.

Neither QB has a turnover yet, but Rypien has arguably had more turnover-worthy plays, and Johnson is more experienced, which presumably makes Johnson the favorite to win the backup QB job behind Russell Wilson.

It’s an open competition, though, and Rypien will get a chance to prove on Saturday that he should be the team’s QB2 in 2022.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=681529]

Broncos backup QB competition still ongoing

“They make each other better,” #Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “We just want to keep that competition rolling.”

It looks like the Denver Broncos won’t play star quarterback Russell Wilson in preseason, so backups Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien are going to get plenty of playing time.

Johnson went 8-of-16 for 70 yards in the first half of Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, leading three scoring drives (all field goals). In the second half, Rypien went 22-of-26 for 191 yards with one touchdown.

After the game, coach Nathaniel Hackett wasn’t willing to name a front-runner in the competition for the QB2 role.

“I would say both of those guys have done a really good job,” Hackett said. “Again, we’re looking for that consistency. There were some good things that Josh did today, and then there’s some opportunities that he missed.

“Same thing — ‘Ryp,’ I believe he had a pretty good day, what he did. Both those guys are battling out. They support each other, there for each other, they make each other better. We just want to keep that competition rolling.”

From an outsiders perspective, Johnson starting the first two preseason games presumably means he’s the current favorite. If Johnson starts again in the team’s preseason finale next week, it might be a sign that he is the team’s first-choice option to serve as Wilson’s backup in 2022.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=684616]

Broncos blasted by Bills 42-15 in second preseason game

The Denver Broncos came back to earth after a win against the Dallas Cowboys, losing to the Buffalo Bills 42-15.

The Denver Broncos lost big to the home team Buffalo Bills 42-15 in their second preseason game of 2022.

The Broncos continued to rest most of their offensive and defensive starters, with quarterback Josh Johnson getting the nod for the second straight game.

After a promising start to the game, where Johnson led the Broncos on a 12-play, 64-yard drive ending in a Brandon McManus field goal, the Bills never looked back.

Buffalo began the game with their first-team offense against the Denver backups, quickly going down the field for a 70-yard touchdown drive. The Bills went on to shred the Broncos defense for six straight touchdown drives, while the Denver offense stalled drive after drive.

After a tough game against the Dallas Cowboys last week, Brett Rypien rebounded nicely in the second half in Baffalo, going 22-of-26 for 191 yards and the Broncos’ only touchdown of the game to tight end Eric Saubert.

The Denver return game again shined, with Montrell Washington returning two kickoffs for 55 total yards, his longest going for 35 yards.

In addition, one of the few bright spots came in the form of receiver Jalen Virgil, who returned two kicks for 60 total yards, his longest going for 30 yards. Virgil also tacked on two receptions for 39 yards. Virgil is quickly climbing the receiving ladder in the absence of Tim Patrick.

Kicker Brandon McManus also finished the game 3-of-3 on field goal attempts.

This week, every team must cut five players, trimming the roster from 85 to 80 by Tuesday, August 23. The Broncos play their final preseason game in Denver against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 27.

[vertical-gallery id=684378]

Broncos expected to start Josh Johnson in 2nd preseason game

The Broncos expected to start Josh Johnson against the Bills today, perhaps a sign that he’s the favorite over Brett Rypien for the QB2 job.

Denver Broncos coaches have implied the backup quarterback competition between Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien is still close, but actions speak louder than words.

The Broncos are expected to start Johnson against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, marking his second-straight start in preseason. That presumably means he’s the current favorite to win the backup job behind Russell Wilson.

“I think Johnson did a really good job [last week],” offensive coordinator Justin Outten said Thursday. “From practice to the game, he expedited everything with his feet, his progressions, putting people in the right spots, being accurate, throwing the ball down the field, protection adjustments. I was very pleased with Josh.”

Johnson went 16-of-23 for 172 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers against the Cowboys. Rypien went 8-of-18 for 113 yards. Rypien didn’t throw any interceptions, but he had several turnover-worthy plays, and that might be part of the reason why Johnson’s getting another start.

“The idea is who can we get the most consistent?” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Thursday. “We want to be sure that we’re not turning the ball over, we’re making smart decisions and moving the chains.”

Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=684478]

Lions make final cuts before deadline, release Brady Breeze and Josh Johnson

The Detroit Lions waived S Brady Breeze and WR Josh Johnson to get to the 85-man roster limit

The Detroit Lions have trimmed their roster down to the required 85-player limit on Tuesday, waiving safety Brady Breeze and wide receiver Josh Johnson.

Breeze was claimed off of waivers by the Detroit Lions last season after he was let go by the Tennessee Titans. He was waived with injury status after being hurt early in the preseason opener.

He was drafted by the Titans in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and appeared in five games for them before being waived. Breeze played in four games for Detroit and recorded six tackles on defense and special teams. He had some competition throughout training camp, against offseason additions such as Kerby Joseph and JuJu Hughes.

Johnson signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa and had an uphill battle to even be a candidate for the practice squad. He was waived with an injury settlement.

There isn’t much to say about the young wide receiver, as he did not play in the preseason game against Atlanta and has had a fairly quiet training camp.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx8sj47vkwrznr player_id=none image=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]