ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In right tackle Mike McGlinchey's first season in Denver, he set out to help change the team’s culture and establish a winning mindset.
And as the seventh-year player now enters Year 2 with the Broncos, he believes that continuity may be the driving force in making this goal a reality.
"[Our goal is] to start fast this year and not have the hiccups that we had early in the season last year," McGlinchey said Monday. "I think everybody feels more comfortable, especially up front, myself included. … With one year of familiarity of an offensive line coach [and] a play caller, [I] certainly have a better feel for what's going on. So [my goal is] just take a step forward in the overall consistency and be the best I can be."
A valuable part of this consistency is the relationship between McGlinchey and guard Quinn Meinerz, whom the Broncos recently signed to a four-year extension. McGlinchey and Meinerz are entering their second season together and now look forward to playing multiple years together.
"I think it's huge for us, and the two of us said that right away," McGlinchey said of Meinerz's extension. "We were so excited. He's such a great player and the cool part is he's so great already, and he's just scratching the surface of what he's going to be."
Both players are no stranger to playing a key role for the offensive line, and they will look to do the same for the Broncos in 2024.
Before his arrival in Denver, McGlinchey started all 17 games of the 2022 season at right tackle for San Francisco, appearing in 94.4 percent of all offensive snaps. He helped the team win the NFC West and reach the NFC Championship Game for the second straight season in the process. In his first season with the Broncos, McGlinchey played an equally important role, as he started the team's first 16 games and served as a team captain.
Meinerz has embraced a similar commanding presence in Denver, starting all 13 games he played at right guard during the 2022 season. During 2023, he took on an even bigger role, starting all 17 games and playing 96.7 percent of the offensive snaps.
In 2023, Meinerz and McGlinchey first had the opportunity to join forces and began building a strong foundation both on and off the field as they started 16 of 17 games together.
"Quinn [is] as good of a partner as you could ask for," McGlinchey said. "[Both] from an offensive tackle standpoint, obviously as a dominant player, but [also] his work ethic, him as a teammate [and] the way he carries himself."
Heading into the 2024 season and beyond, McGlinchey is confident that this foundation will help propel both the duo and the team to success.
"The two of us being able to be here for the next at least four years together is really cool," McGlinchey said. "It's an opportunity to grow together, to understand the scheme together, to understand how each other plays and how we can make each other better."
BRONCOS WELCOME ALUMNI BACK TO TRAINING CAMP
The Broncos are an organization with rich history and tradition that includes eight Super Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl championships.
The team embraced this history on Monday as nearly three dozen former Broncos players spanning multiple decades returned to the facility.
Head Coach Sean Payton was thrilled to welcome back individuals who have made a significant impact on the organization, noting that it's important for current players to recognize the foundation that was established prior to their arrival.
"I think it's important we embrace the tradition here," Payton said. "And that was set and built on the shoulders of a lot of these guys. I want them to always feel this is home."
Alumni took advantage of the opportunity to speak with Payton and observe practice as they look forward to the 2024 season.
"I think that's the lifeblood of your program, really," Payton said of the alumni. "Then these players see it, and [see] there's a bar that's been set, and we embrace that. … It was good having them out here."
