Yesterday after their first padded coaching camp session, the Denver Broncos had a number of extended interviews. Head Coach Sean Payton, security Talanoa Hufanga, and tight finish Adam Trautman provided updates and perception to a wide selection of questions from reporters at their new coaching camp facility.
Sean Payton affords a number of essential updates
One of many first updates talked about was relating to Luke Wattenberg. The veteran heart left follow early on with a proper arm damage, however Payton didn’t seem like too involved about it. At face worth, that alleviates among the fear about lacking our beginning heart long-term.
Moreover, he cleared up the air and confusion round second-year cornerback Jahdae Barron’s position with the crew. He talked about that Barron was not enjoying security, as somebody had floated in an article and on social media the opposite day.
“He’s playing nickel, he’s playing corner and then when we get into dime, he replaces a linebacker. So he’s doing really good. There’s been no position change.”
Payton additionally gushed concerning the improvement of cornerback Riley Moss and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike. With respect to Moss, he cited a number of areas which have actually impressed him and what makes him a terrific participant.
“I think learning to play with his feet, really working on reducing some of those fouls. He competes his tail off. I love that about him. He has those traits where it’s a short mindset, short memory. He’s moving around really well right now,” mentioned Payton.
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Riley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos strains up earlier than the snap throughout an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
“Again, it’s gaining confidence in the defense we’re calling, understanding the leverage, the third-down leverages, and then what we’re trying to take away. He’s handling that progression well.”
Talking on Uwazurike, he famous that he has been happy along with his development and improvement. He’s one in all a handful of defensive linemen battling for an elevated position on protection with the departure of John-Franklin Myers.
“There’s some really good tape. I’m excited about what’s up for him because he has all those traits you’re looking for, and it’s important to him,” Payton added.
If Uwazurike hopes to exchange a major variety of Franklin-Myers’ snaps, he might want to enhance his go rush means. That has been hit-or-miss up to now in his NFL profession, however he unteachable traits and a dominant bodily profile that overwhelms opposing offensive lineman on run downs.
Payton additionally praised wideout Pat Bryant. With a logjam at extensive receiver, it will likely be fascinating to see how every participant is utilized. Although Payton talked about there might be no subject with discovering a solution to get the second-year extensive receiver concerned in weekly recreation plans.
“He has some of the better hands in traffic with his feet on the ground, he’s really good at run after the catch. I said this to you guys a year ago, he’s real smart. He’s someone that can move from ‘X’ to the slot. It’ll be easy creating his role.”
Talanoa Hufanga speaks on follow depth, the protection, and management
Security Talanoa Hufanga was second to take the rostrum in entrance of reporters. He lauded the excessive vitality and depth of the primary follow session. Furthermore, the versatile backend defender was over the moon and spoke loves that the protection is sort of utterly intact relative to final season.
“Pretty crazy actually. With the first group, I think the cool part is we’re able to diagnose the defense and offense really easily. Everybody’s on the same string. We kind of know what we guys like to do, where we want to be, me to ‘B. Jones’ and Alex’s communication. It’s, ‘What can we tell the corners’?’ Everybody’s kind of on a string, and I think that’s what really helps when you have the same group of guys, for sure,” Hufanga acknowledged.
He additionally talked about being a pacesetter and crew captain final season. For him, it was a ‘true honor’ to be voted by his teammates as one in his first season with the franchise. The truth is, he acknowledged it was ‘shocking’ all issues thought-about. Hufanga isn’t positive if he might be a captain this season, however may have no downside being a vocal chief on the defensive facet of the ball.
“I think I naturally, regardless of if I’m a captain or not, I think now that’s kind of what they expect out of me is what they’re going to get now. The standard has definitely changed for me in trying to go out there and be the best version of myself for my teammates,” he added.
DENVER , CO – JANUARY 4: Talanoa Hufanga (9) of the Denver Broncos stands with teammates earlier than the sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 4, 2026. (Photograph by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Publish through Getty Pictures)
Adam Trautman dishes out ideas on OC Davis Webb and QB Bo Nix
The final participant to take the rostrum was tight finish Adam Trautman who was one of many leaders of the Broncos’ tight finish room final season. He had the highest snap share participant of the group and noticed most of his time at inline tight finish. Sadly, the unit was one of many least productive within the NFL and the Broncos want them to carry out higher this season.
Maybe a purpose for optimism could possibly be a change at play caller. Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb might be dealing with these duties however will nonetheless get enter from Payton occasionally. Trautman spoke extremely of Webb and provided some tidbits and perception to the kind of coach he’s.
“He brings a lot of energy. Obviously, he relates to the players as well. We’re excited to have him. He is a little ball of energy out there honestly, and it’s pretty fun. It’s cool to get into meetings and just watch him talk about concepts, scheme, everything as a whole,” remarked Trautman.
He additionally echoed the sentiment Hufanga did relative to the crew’s continuity. The veteran tight finish is a large fan of the roster the entrance workplace has assembled. He praised the entrance workplace for locking up their key gamers earlier than the hit the market and caring for their very own gamers. Trautman additionally famous that outdoors expectations [media and fans] on constructing tremendous groups simply isn’t life like.
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Adam Trautman #82 of the Denver Broncos celebrates throughout an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
“There’s a perception from the outside of like you go into free agency and it’s like ‘Oh, you get this person, this person, this person.’ A super team is like, that’s not realistic. So that’s not what happens. Also, they’ve done deals for all of our guys early. All of our elite players, they’ve done them early. We have a good base, good culture. There are several guys that have contributed to that. Why would you want to get rid of them?”
Final however not least, Trautman had glowing reward for third-year quarterback Bo Nix. He spoke with excessive confidence that he’s in retailer for an enormous season. With Nix poised to make the subsequent step, Denver’s offense ought to attain new heights in 2026.
“He’s just in full total control. I said this all last year, but you’re never going to feel like you’re out of the game when he’s in the huddle.”
