Any time you hearken to a participant or a coach give an interview within the NFL, it’s a must to not solely hearken to what they are saying, but in addition what they DON’T say. Together with head coach, Sean Payton, large receiver, Troy Franklin, and inside defensive lineman, D.J. Jones, gave interviews.
Sean Payton presents a number of essential updates
Damage updates are at all times a important focal point throughout questions with Sean Payton and Wednesday was not exception. Coach Payton talked about that Drew Sanders is absolutely wholesome, there have been questions on whether or not he can be taking part in inside or exterior and he mentioned that Drew’s place “will sort itself out. It always does. That’s a lot better question than, ‘Who’s going to take the three reps?’ It’s an important position in this defense. Those edge positions, they’re hard to find. It’s a big reason why we’re staying with the positions these guys played a year ago. I think it’s one of the strong suits of our front.” So it will seem that Sanders shall be largely used at OLB in a crowded and extremely proficient group that features Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, and Que Robinson. With the dearth of depth at ILB, and talent to play some snaps at ILB, which Elliss or Sanders might do, might be important to creating the 53-man roster. Moreover “the special teams stuff” shall be important. “Those guys are going to play a lot of snaps if they’re not playing snaps on defense. So all of that will factor in.”
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Drew Sanders #41 of the Denver Broncos traces up earlier than the snap throughout an NFL soccer recreation towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Que Robinson has been a pleasing shock thus far in camp and Sean Payton supplied him some reward. Payton talked about “he’s a real good technician, and he’s one of those guys that we know has been coached hard. We felt coming into this defense from what he was playing in, there were some similarities to what we were going to ask him to do.” The continued growth of Que might make one of many different edge guys, like Cooper, a tradeable asset. Payton talked about that Que is “competing for those reps in the line of scrimmage. I think it’s going really well, and again, we’ve had pads on for two days now.” The Broncos can by no means have too many good edge guys.
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 25: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) is sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Que Robinson (51) within the first half of the AFC Championship Sport at Empower Area at Mile Excessive on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photograph by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs) Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs
Dialogue of the WR room
There have been some attention-grabbing tidbits in regards to the WR room supplied yesterday each from Troy Franklin and Sean Payton. Payton supplied excessive reward for the continued progress of Pat Bryant who he calls “one of those congested ball catchers.” The flexibility to go over the center and catch the ball shall be important for the continued growth of Bo Nix who did use the center of the sphere very a lot final season. Having Jaylen Waddle who’s “fine” as he simply had some muscle tightness yesterday.
Oct 26, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos large receiver Pat Bryant (13) celebrates scoring a landing within the second quarter towards the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Area at Mile Excessive. Obligatory Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs
Payton talked about that Troy Franklin has made some progress in the course of the offseason when it comes to understanding the formations and the main points of what’s going on with the remainder of the offense on a given play.
“Now all of the sudden he’s getting used to the different roles that he’s playing and the alignments on the field. He’s comfortable within the framework. It’s so much different than the system he had in college.”
A familiarity with the offense and with the Bo Nix can solely assist to enhance the manufacturing from Troy Franklin who has “really good burst” in response to Sean Payton. In Troy’s personal phrases “I don’t really have to think anymore, so I can just go and play.”
Coming down with extra of his targets in 2026 shall be important for Troy. He was usually getting deep targets (ADOT, common depth of goal, was 12.7 yards with was twenty seventh highest within the NFL), however his catch charge of 53 p.c leaves loads of room for enchancment. For comparability, Jaxson Smith-Njigba had an ADOT of 11.2 final season and a catch charge of 73 p.c whereas Christian Watson had an ADOT of 17.8 and a catch charge of 64%.
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 16: Denver Broncos large receiver Troy Franklin (11) celebrates after a fourth quarter catch and first down within the fourth quarter throughout a recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Area at Mile Excessive on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photograph by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs) Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs
Lil’Jordan Humphrey additionally obtained reward from San Payton as one of many guys who does all the little issues to assist the group win. He performs particular groups at a excessive stage, he blocks, and he doesn’t complain if he isn’t getting targetted, he’s an enormous goal, and he’s extraordinarily good in response to Sean Payton. He additionally talked about that LJH has misplaced some weight relative to final season and he’s shifting higher. “We do all the metrics and they wear the chips, but his weight’s down. His movement on the field, acceleration, top-end speed is higher last season and now than it was when he was here earlier.”
Troy Franklin additionally sang the praises of recent WR coach, Ronald Curry, who “has been great for us. I think he’s bringing a lot of new options on how we can get open. He’s taking a really good time in meeting rooms and making sure we know everything we need to do [with] our spots. Same thing with ‘Johnny Mo’ (Offensive Pass Game Coordinator John Morton), too. All those guys are helping us—[Offensive Quality Control Coach] Willie Snead [IV]. They’ve been a great addition for sure.”
I’m excited in regards to the WR room for this season. Marvin Mims shall be taking part in for a free agent contract, which is often when guys have profession years. Pat Bryant, if he can keep wholesome, is the possession man that may thrive with all the eye Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle will draw. Troy Franklin and LJH can each contribute in important methods, so a minimum of on paper, the Broncos have a very robust WR group.
Dialogue of the protection
DJ Jones talked about the progress that Eyioma Uwazurike has made in the course of the previous 12 months.
“His hands and his eyes. This game is fast. It’s physical, which he has. But if you don’t have good eyes on the [defensive] line, then you’ll be lost. The leap he’s taking right now is pretty scary. Like I said, he can play every position, very physical and his eyes are 10 out of 10 now.”
Having EU as a dominant pressure on the DL, even whether it is simply in run-stuffing, shall be important since he’s the biggest IDL participant that the Broncos have and far of the group depends extra of quickness than mass. On the group roster web site, he’s listed as 320, which is the second heaviest participant on the group. Solely Tyler Miller, 6-9 335 lbs, is heavier. Generally on the DL, you simply want that mass to face up towards double groups from the OL. Our subsequent heaviest IDL man is Jordan Miller at 307.
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 25: Denver Broncos defensive finish Eyioma Uwazurike (96) and defensive deal with D.J. Jones (93) soar to defend as New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) appears to be like to cross within the third quarter within the AFC Championship Sport at Empower Area at Mile Excessive on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photograph by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs) Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs
DJ additionally talked about how the return of just about each beginning defender from final season will assist the 2026 protection. Whereas familiarity with the fellows taking part in subsequent to you and their talents just isn’t as important as it’s on the OL (for the reason that OL performs each snap and the DL rotates), it’s a plus for any protection.
