ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos' expectations have not shifted.
In March at the NFL Annual Meeting, Denver's leadership spoke extensively about their expectations to compete in 2024. During the Broncos' quarterback competition, Head Coach Sean Payton made it clear that Denver would start the quarterback that gave them the best chance to win in Week 1.
And as the Broncos set their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, Denver again made decisions designed to help the team earn a victory in Seattle on Sept. 8. Even as Denver builds its roster for the future, the team remains focused on winning football games in 2024.
"Our expectations have not changed," General Manager George Paton said Tuesday. "It's day to day, and we're just trying to get better each and every day. We are really encouraged by what we saw during training camp and the preseason."
And while Paton did acknowledge the Broncos are "young and hungry" — as Payton has often said this offseason — he said the Broncos also prioritized the right veteran players to pair with a young core.
"We do have experience in a lot of areas if you look at [T Mike] McGlinchey, [T Garett] Bolles, [ILB Alex] Singleton, [DT] D.J. Jones and [DE] Zach Allen," Paton said. "We're trying to win. This 53-man roster gives us the best chance to win. The practice squad will be an extension of the 53-man roster.
"That's what we are going through now, and those guys will contribute to help us win. We are all about winning. It's not like basketball where you have two or three years. We are trying to put the best roster together right now for Seattle."
The Broncos' vision led to tough decisions — including the release of veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine — but it should also allow Denver's young players to flourish.
"Just on behalf of everyone in our organization, [we] just can't say enough great things about the type of player and the person Tim has been while a Bronco for the last seven season," Paton said. "We have a lot of great respect for Tim [with] the resilience, the work ethic and the perseverance [with] the last two years [and] to come back from the injury and play like he did. We just wish him the very best.
"What went into it is a number of things. We really like our depth at receiver, and we liked the depth at other positions on our team. We wanted to keep some other players at other positions. Special teams comes into play. Obviously you have the new element at kickoff and kickoff return. There will be over 200 more plays. So it wasn't just one thing. Tim did a lot of really good things. We wish him well, and we're going to miss him."
While the Broncos have set their initial roster, Paton said the team will scour the crop of available players to consider adding to their group.
"We'll sift through that [waiver wire]," Paton said. "It will take us half the night, then we'll watch those players. Any way we can upgrade our team, we'll do that. We feel like we're stronger in certain areas on our team, maybe a little weaker [in others]. If we can upgrade the weaker areas, then we'll do that."
The Broncos' general manager also noted the importance of the 16-player practice squad. With veterans able to join the group, Paton said it was likely that multiple veterans that were released this week by the Broncos could join the practice squad and be elevated for Week 1 in Seattle.
"There are a couple of vets who will likely be active Week 1.," Paton said. "You probably know who they are, but certainly we already have a few guys who are already going to be on our practice squad."
As the Broncos evaluate their roster options, there's also reasons to be impressed by Denver's existing rookie class. Six of the seven players made the initial 53-man roster, and Paton spoke highly of several of the rookies' ability to contribute in their first season.
"We're encouraged by the rookie class, both the draft picks and the [undrafted] free agents," Paton said. "… Obviously, time will tell as we get to the regular season, but we like the class so far.
The first opportunity for rookies and veterans alike comes in less than two weeks, and the Broncos hope to earn their first Week 1 win since 2021.
"We're getting there," Paton said. "You watch this team all through training camp and all through the offseason program, these guys are very competitive. They want to win, like every team. You see our camps — we had six practices in a row, and then we had one day off. You see the energy, and you see the enthusiasm of these players. That's a reflection of Sean. [I'm] excited with what we're building, and how they work and go about their business day to day. We're getting there.
"Time will tell. We'll see when we get to the regular season, but we certainly like the foundation. Again, I can't say enough that we're excited for this season and beyond."
