ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Just minutes after training camp began, the Broncos went to the part of the field that matters most.
Early and often on Wednesday, the Broncos focused their 11-on-11 work inside the 20-yard line — or even closer — and began to tailor their red-zone offense and defense.
"Especially on Day 1, it's a marathon like we've been talking about, and you don't want to get big, long fields right out the gate," said Nathaniel Hackett said after his first training camp practice as head coach. "I think it's so important to shorten the field. We have a shorter practice, so we just want to get as many reps as you can within the time frame and work the most important area of the field."
The Broncos devoted several periods during their 90-minute practice to the red zone, and each side of the ball found its share of success.
On one goal-line route, inside linebacker Jonas Griffith demonstrated his athleticism to stick with Courtland Sutton and broke up Russell Wilson's pass. On another red-zone play, D.J. Jones was in the backfield nearly immediately as he helped blow up a run play.
Later in practice, the Broncos' defensive line tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage, and safety Justin Simmons nearly came up with the first interception of camp.
The Broncos' offense had its moments, as well.
On perhaps Wilson's best play of practice, the quarterback avoided Malik Reed's oncoming rush, skirted outside the pocket and delivered a strike to tight end Eric Saubert in the end zone.
Reed made it known that he thought he'd sacked Wilson, but the quarterback has a knack for escaping pressure.
"He's never going to give up on the play," Bradley Chubb said after practice. "We see that when we're chasing him right now."
Chubb relayed that Wilson told the defense he'd seen that sort of pressure "plenty of times before."
Wilson later threw another red-zone touchdown pass.
And then, as there are during camp, there were moments when the two sides of the ball weren't in agreement about the result of the play. On one goal-line run, offensive players threw their hands up to signal a score, while their defensive teammates suggested they'd stopped the ball carrier short of the end zone.
"I love the competitiveness," Hackett said. "It's funny, it's like as clean of a touchdown as it might be, there's people still saying it's not a touchdown, and if we think it is a touchdown, people are doing everything they can to see its not. That's what you want and that's what you love, so I think it's great."
The Broncos' practice didn't feature many long passes or any highlight interceptions, but it did feature important work.
On Day 1, that was plenty good enough.
WORK FOR EVERYONE
Late in practice, Hackett huddled his team before one final period. After a few moments, a portion of the team jogged to the red zone for a little more work, but it wasn't a final set of plays for the first-team offense. The session involved largely young or reserve players — Wilson, Simmons and Surtain were the type of players who didn't take a snap — and Hackett later explained the intent of the session.
"Whenever you're working through these things, you're always focused on two groups, because you want to jump from one thing [to another]," Hackett said. "I get bored fast, so I want to jump from one thing to the other and move around and move the field and do all that stuff, and sometimes, there's some guys that don't get enough reps. … We started doing this awhile back — and I just like to now focus on the guys that might not have gotten as many reps. Let's face it, those guys will have a lot of opportunities in the preseason, so we want them to be ready. So that's why we do that."
The session stood out as just another example of Hackett's innovative approach to practice.
QUICK HITS
… Rookie outside linebacker Nik Bonitto set the edge well on a run play in space. He could also see increased work with Randy Gregory sidelined.
"On the field, he had it from Day 1," Chubb said. "He had the bend. He had all the intangibles that you can't really coach, you just go out there and do."
… Safety P.J. Locke recovered nicely on a pass to the end zone and backtracked to break up a throw intended for Montrell Washington.
… Quarterback Brett Rypien had a couple of nice throws, as he found Sutton on a post route for a nice gain and later connected with Washington in the end zone for a touchdown.
… Reed, whose role could be amplified with Gregory on PUP, recorded a nice tackle for loss against the first-team offense and later provided pressure on the previously noted play by Wilson.
Take an inside look at the Broncos' first day of their 2022 training camp series with exclusive photos from team photographers Gabriel Christus and Ben Swanson.
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Nathaniel Hackett during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Quinn Meinerz during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
J.R. Reed during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Greg Dulcich during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kana'i Mauga during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Pat Surtain II and Kendall Hinton during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
A look at Mike Boone's tattoos during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Pat Surtain II smiles during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Ciara and kids during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson throws a pass during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Marquiss Spencer during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Sebastian Gutierrez, Zack Johnson, Michael Niese and Calvin Anderson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Melvin Gordon III during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Javonte Williams during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Javonte Williams during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Josh Johnson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Brett Rypien during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Nik Bonitto during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Damarri Mathis during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Kareem Jackson during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
P.J. Locke during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Andrew Beck during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
K'Waun Williams during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Seth Williams during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Aaron Patrick and Jonathan Kongbo during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kadofi Wright during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Mike Purcell during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Nick Ferguson and alumni during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Alfred Williams and Karl Mecklenburg during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Mark Schlereth during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Javonte Williams during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Mike Boone during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon III during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Tyrie Cleveland during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Pat Surtain II breaks up a pass during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Kareem Jackson and Pat Surtain II talk with a referee during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett talks with Kareem Jackson during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons and P.J. Locke during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Ronald Darby and Eric Saubert during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
P.J. Locke breaks up a pass intended for Montrell Washington during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Seth Williams and Jamar Johnson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon III during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Montrell Washington during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Montrell Washington and Ben Braden celebrate after a play during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Mike Boone and Jonas Griffith during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Eric Saubert celebrates after a play during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Damarea Crockett, Rodney Williams, Tyrie Cleveland, Zack Johnson and Luke Wattenberg celebrate after a play during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons and P.J. Locke during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Garett Bolles and Melvin Gordon III during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Nathaniel Hackett during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Nik Bonitto during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Cam Fleming and Jonathan Kongbo during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Eric Saubert during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
K'Waun Williams during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Bradley Chubb during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
P.J. Locke during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Marquiss Spencer during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy and Rod Smith after practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
D.J. Jones talks with alumni after practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Russell Wilson and his kids Future, Win and Sienna during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy and Rod Smith after practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Ciara, Win, Sienna, Future and Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Ciara, Win, Sienna, Future and Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon III and Russell Wilson during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson and Sienna during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson talks to the press during training camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Englewood. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos
during practice on Day 1 of training camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
