The Lead
Training camp is finally here.
Though fans will not be allowed to visit UCHealth Training Center to watch practices in person like in previous years, we're still going to do our best to bring training camp to you. As always, we'll have exclusive highlights and photos from team photographers and videographers, and we'll also have daily recap shows with team reporters Phil Milani, Aric DiLalla and Sydney Jones, as well as in-depth practice reports.
Before the first practice begins, here's a quick primer of how you can watch training camp live and an overview of three of the biggest topics for the Broncos for camp.
How to watch Broncos training camp live
Every day of camp, we'll broadcast Training Camp Live presented by Ford, an exclusive daily one-hour show hosted by Broncos legend Steve Atwater from the practice fields. Fans can tune in every day at 9:15 a.m. MT via DenverBroncos.com, the Broncos365 app, as well as on the Broncos' Facebook and YouTube pages.
The key camp storylines to know
The transition to a new offense with new weapons
There is likely no more important factor for the Broncos heading into the 2020 season. How well the team picks up Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur's scheme could decide whether Lock finds success, and that will undoubtedly play a key role in the team's future, both this year and moving forward.
With that said, the Broncos have one of their most-dangerous arsenals of offensive players in recent years. Rookie receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler are expected to play key roles on offense, and with a largely virtual offseason replacing normal spring workouts, the chemistry they build with Lock now will be vital. In addition, the Broncos added a second Pro Bowl player in the backfield with the signing of Melvin Gordon III. How Denver chooses to utilize his skills and that of Phillip Lindsay will also be interesting to watch.
The search for a third cornerback
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos have a defense full of veterans. Of the 11 expected starters in the base defense, Alexander Johnson has the least amount of starting experience, and he's coming off a season in which he started 12 games.
However, where the unit does have some uncertainty is at cornerback behind A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan. That third cornerback will have to play a lot of snaps because of the prevalence of offensive formations featuring three receivers. The Broncos have several players returning to compete for the role, including Davontae Harris, De'Vante Bausby, Duke Dawson Jr. and Isaac Yiadom, but third-round pick Michael Ojemudia could also push for it as a promising rookie.
The return of Bradley Chubb
After a long offseason spent rehabbing his knee from surgery to repair a torn ACL, Bradley Chubb will be back for camp, hopefully ready for full speed action. A healthy Chubb could transform the Broncos' pass rush and help a new-look Von Miller have a career year.
"Bradley Chubb was a terror for the Denver Broncos in his rookie season, racking up 12 sacks opposite Von Miller," NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger wrote recently. "He looked like a complete player. The promise stalled in Year 2 when he tore his ACL just four games into the season. As he nears getting back to 100 percent for the start of the season, Chubb should return to his rookie form, at the very least. I think he can get a lot better, especially with defensive mastermind Vic Fangio as his head coach."
Below the Fold
In addition to the key storylines above, it'll also be interesting to see how Courtland Sutton continues to develop after making his first Pro Bowl. Heading into this season, Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash ranked Sutton the 16th-best receiver in the NFL. Here's hoping he'll continue to rise in the ranks.
As I mentioned earlier, the Broncos will begin to work out their running back tandem of Lindsay and Gordon during camp with full-speed reps. Asked to pick out the Broncos' best training camp battle, ESPN's Jeff Legwold selected that of Lindsay-Gordon, though he noted it "won't be a 'battle' in the classic starter-backup scenario."
