This Is What We Learned During First Week Of Broncos Camp

The Denver Broncos had a busy first week of training camp, and there’s a lot going on up and down the roster. Veteran writer Nick Kosmider of The Athletic covered the practices, and he offered some intriguing thoughts about what we learned during the Chiefs first week of practice. 

QB competition between Jarret Stidham and Sam Ehlinger is real

Coach Sean Payton has never been much for fake training camp competition where players are handed jobs while fending off obvious backups, and that pertains to the quarterbacks as well. Backing up Bo Nix will be an important job this season given Nix’s health status, and that competition applies to both Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. 

“We see competition,” Payton said back during the winter meetings in Arizona. “And it wasn’t different last year. There’s nothing that is etched in stone. There just isn’t, and that’s a good thing.”

That hasn’t changed, as Payton noted during the first day of camp. 

“There’s a competition at all these spots,” he replied. “The guard position, quarterback position, tight end position. They’re competing for playing time and reps. That’s why we don’t have a depth chart or anything like that.”

CB Riley Moss is taking a step up

Moss has been a controversial figure among the fan base, and he’s in a contract year as the cornerback reaches the end of his rookie deal. He was widely criticized for his tendency to get hit with pass interference penalties, and Moss is taking a step up, especially when he picked deep pass from Bo Nix that was intended for receiver Courtland Sutton. 

“It was a great play,” safety Talanoa Hufanga said of Moss’ interception. “It’s one of those where it’s 50-50 (when) the ball goes up, and when your guy comes down with it, you’re always excited.”

Pat Bryant is showing out among the receivers

The Broncos have a strange situation in their wide receivers room, given that they have what’s considered a strong young group that was roiled by the trade for Jaylen Waddle. Pat Bryant is taking a step forward, according to Kosmider, and there’s been a lot of talk about who’s the lead receiver in this crew. 

“We don’t have a classic third (receiver),” Payton said last week. “We don’t have a (No.) 1A, a 2, a 3. We’re just different than that.”

Bryant is showing the ability to play faster now that he understands the offense better, and Payton recognized that after the first practices. 

“He’s got some of the better hands in traffic with his feet on the ground,” Payton said. “He’s really good with the run after the catch. He’s real smart and he’s someone who can move from X (position) to the slot. It will be easy creating his role.”