ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos football is back.
Denver will kick off its preseason slate on Sunday in Indianapolis, and there's plenty to look forward to as the 2024 Broncos continue their march toward their regular-season opener in Seattle.
All eyes will be on the Broncos' quarterback competition, but there's lots more to gain from a matchup in which the Colts are expected to play their starters.
"[I've got] it, 'Win,' underlined twice, exclamation point," Head Coach Sean Payton said. "I just think it's something that we're training to do each week. … Obviously the most important thing is the 53-[man roster] cut and trying to get that right, but also the mindset of winning anything we do."
Here, then, is what to watch as the Broncos travel to Indianapolis.
HOW DO THE BRONCOS' QUARTERBACKS PERFORM?
The Broncos' quarterback competition enters its next phase on Sunday, as the three contenders in Jarrett Stidham, Bo Nix and Zach Wilson will try to translate their play to game action. Head Coach Sean Payton announced Friday that Stidham will start the game, and then Nix will enter in relief. Nix, who will start the Broncos' second preseason game against the Packers, could see some time with the first-team offense. Wilson will enter the game after Nix.
Stidham will look to demonstrate his increased comfort level in the Broncos' offense, while Nix will take his first NFL game reps and aim to perform as the game begins to slow to down for him. Wilson, who said he's not letting his current reps impact his mindset, said Wednesday he'll continue to prioritize consistency when he takes the field.
"I want them to play," said Payton when asked how he wants the quarterbacks to approach taking chances. "Play fast. There are going to be mistakes, and we'll correct them. Now there's a time in a game where we have to be aggressive. … These guys are playing through their progressions, and they're doing a good job with their reads. When you get into real games, you get a better feel for the pass rush and all the things that come with playing that position."
With each quarterback expected to play about 15-20 snaps, they'll all get a chance to try to set themselves apart in what has been an intense competition.
WILL ANYONE GAIN SEPARATION IN POSITIONAL BATTLES?
The quarterback battle isn't the only are on the roster where players are competing for jobs.
The Broncos' initial depth chart listed Jonas Griffith and Cody Barton as co-starters at inside linebacker alongside Alex Singleton, while Damarri Mathis and Riley Moss were both tabbed at the first-team right cornerback spot.
"Obviously the games carry a lot of weight for guys competing for jobs," Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph said Thursday. "There is [competition at] inside 'backer, corner and [defensive] line. It's everywhere. It's been healthy to watch those guys compete for spots. Again, it's a long season. You want to build depth anyway. So everyone's fighting for a spot."
Payton said Friday he could rotate different players in with the first-team unit as part of the competition. Especially early in the game, those positions bear watching.
DOES DENVER'S DEFENSE SHOW 'ATTACKING' MINDSET?
One of the key themes of camp has been a new mindset on the defensive side of the ball.
Plenty of defenders have spoken about the "attacking" style that Joseph has implemented, and Sunday's game will be the first chance to see that on display. In training camp, players like Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper have shown explosive pass-rush ability, while John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones and Zach Allen have provided an interior push.
"I feel like it's the new norm," Jones said July 31. "If you're not attacking, your [defensive] line is waiting, and your linebackers have 180 tackles. Attacking is the way."
Colts quarterback and former fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson is expected to play for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury last year, and his mobility could make him the perfect quarterback to test the new mindset against.
WHO IS THE NEXT NEW JALEEL MCLAUGHLIN?
Payton has spoken repeatedly about how McLaughlin — a 2023 undrafted rookie who made the team and earned a key role — first made a splash in a preseason game against the 49ers.
In that matchup, McLaughlin carried the ball seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. McLaughlin carried that success forward, making the team and posting 570 scrimmage yards as a rookie.
The next McLaughlin could start to show their ability in the preseason opener, and there are plenty of undrafted rookies who have flashed their potential during camp. Inside linebacker Levelle Bailey and outside linebacker Jaylon Allen have each made plays defensively, while running back Blake Watson still offers intriguing potential after missing the start of camp on the Non-Football Injury list.
"This is where guys have a chance to make an impression and kind of take what they've been working on and apply it in a game-like matter," Payton said.
HOW DOES THE NEW KICKOFF LOOK?
After an offseason of discussion about the NFL's intriguing new kickoff rules, the Broncos will get their first live reps at both the kickoff coverage and kickoff return elements of the play.
Payton has mentioned on several occasions that the Broncos feel the play should play to their strengths, as they found success in kickoff coverage in 2023 and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. earned All-Pro honors as a returner.
How much information does the preseason provide about the kickoff? That's yet to be seen. Special Teams Coordinator Ben Kotwica acknowledged teams will have to practice the play without giving too much away schematically, while Payton has noted that the first four weeks of the regular season may provide more insight into how the play can impact the game.
"I think you have to explore things, just continue to get information," Special Teams Coordinator Ben Kotwica said Thursday. "Not only from the techniques standpoint, but your fundamentals that you're teaching. There's an element of scheme. I think when we get out there on Sunday, we really want to see who can block, who's good at block destruction and who can tackle. The evaluation process is still a huge part of it, but you have to also balance that with the new play."
