ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos continued their focus on situational football as they returned to the field on Monday.
“It was more of a ramp-up day,” Head Coach Sean Payton said. “We continued with a lot of two-minute situation work, and then got to a handful of different periods, but I thought today’s practice went pretty well.”
As in previous days, the action felt evenly matched with the first-team offense and defense each making a number of notable plays.
In seven-on-seven action, quarterback Bo Nix fired a series of completions — including a strong contested catch by wide receiver Troy Franklin — before safety Devon Key answered back by cutting off a deep throw to Courtland Sutton and picking off the pass.
During 11-on-11 reps, inside linebacker Justin Strnad elevated to make an impressive one-handed interception — though the play may have been wiped out due to offsides — before Nix answered back with a pair of completions for at least 20 yards to Lucas Krull and Evan Engram.
The competitiveness carried through to an end-of-half drill to close practice. Simulating a final drive before halftime, the Broncos’ offense snagged completions to Sutton, J.K. Dobbins and Franklin to move into opposing territory. Cornerback Riley Moss recorded a critical end-zone pass breakup, though, to hold the offense to a field goal.
… Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto showed off his athleticism as he broke on a swing pass at the line of scrimmage. Bonitto batted the ball up into the air and came close to hauling in a would-be pick six.
“I do think he has good instincts,” Payton said. “He can get his arms up, tip a ball. Sometimes that comes a little bit easier to others than it does for some.”
Bonitto had a pair of touchdowns in 2024, as he picked off Jameis Winston on “Monday Night Football” and then returned a lateral intended for Anthony Richardson to salt the game away vs. the Colts.
… Reserve quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger each made several impressive plays on Monday. Stidham launched a touchdown pass of at least 65 yards to Pat Bryant, and he also took off for a long run in a move-the-ball drill.
“He’s been good [for Nix],” Payton said. “He’s playing well, too. It’s a good room.”
Ehlinger, meanwhile, rolled to his left and hurled a deep pass that Courtney Jackson caught for a long score.
“Really positive,” Payton said of his impressions of Ehlinger. “He made a throw today. He’s extremely athletic. He’s comfortable throwing on the run. There’s a little moxie to him. Sometimes it can be a little big for guys, but for him, not at all. You feel like a guy that has played well before and his confidence. He carries himself that way. He’s very good off the pocket, very good off schedule. He’s strong. I like the player a lot.”
Payton said he liked Ehlinger’s “winning traits,” including his football IQ.
… Payton said the Broncos already have “the format of the practice laid out” for when they visit the Niners on Thursday. He also said Denver is “playing guys in the game” on Saturday when asked about the team’s starters’ participation.
… Former Cowboys head coach and current NBC analyst Jason Garrett attended practice on Monday. Payton coached Garrett while serving as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2000.
“He’s always been a close friend,” Payton said. “He’s made a couple trips. … He’s really bright. … It’s good to see him.”
Source link
