ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The next time the Broncos step on the grass, it will be game week.
The 2025 regular season is just days away, and the Broncos are focused on starting the season strong.
After a 1-5 start in 2023 and an 0-2 start a year ago, Head Coach Sean Payton has mentioned the importance of a fast start often during the offseason and training camp. On Sept. 7, the Broncos will get that chance against the Titans.
"This is that time where you're anxious, you're anxious to see what you have," Payton said. "We need to start fast. What does that mean? Hey, we have a home opener. We go on the road [next], but [we're] focused on this game.
"We hadn't done that the past two years, and it's hard to be one of those upper-echelon teams if you play yo-yo football. You know, you lose a couple, you win three. At some point, any one of these teams that win 10 or more games, there's that three wins in a row or four wins in a row."
In addition to starting fast, Payton also emphasized the importance of quick improvement within the first several weeks of the season.
"I'm going to say this, and this is awfully important, but this speed to improve from the start of the season, and those teams that can accelerate and correct and accelerate … those teams can quickly get going," Payton said. "If you're not careful and you're not doing that, then it becomes hard."
Payton said the Broncos were able to improve in that manner fairly well in 2024 after starting 0-2, but they'll aim to couple that improvement with a better early record when this season arrives.
The initial work to meet that challenge against the Titans has already begun, as Payton said the team began its preparation for Tennessee this week.
"I'd say probably two-and-a-half to three weeks prior, we put in New Orleans," Payton said. "But then all of a sudden … we all have cut-ups. There are some changes with these guys relative to a new special teams coordinator, new players. And so you remember Week 1, you have all the last year's film, and yet there are some nuances if there's been a coordinator change. Now [Titans head coach] Brian [Callahan] calls the plays. His father, I worked with for a long time, [Titans offensive line coach] Bill Callahan. [He] does a great job, and they invested in that offensive line and certainly drafted a really good young quarterback. So, you're looking at old film relative to scheme. And then preseason … you're looking at that for the personnel."
PREPPING THE PUNTER
Rookie Jeremy Crawshaw is approaching his first regular-season game in the NFL, and Payton has introduced a new method to get him prepared for game action. To better help Crawshaw maintain consistent production, the Broncos have created a unique practice plan.
On Thursday, the Broncos called Crawshaw into action at a moment's notice and had him punt the football after an offensive play, in addition to the normal dedicated punt periods. The quick nature of the drill better replicates a game-day environment, according to Payton.
"It was something that was a great idea by 'Rizz' [Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach, Darren Rizzi]," Payton said. "We get into these periods and then we go punt, and we're going to have a punt period, right? But in the game, it's [a] punt. You're out there [for] one punt. So, you're on hole 17, it's a par 5, you're on the tee. Just creating those situations, I think benefits the young punter because that's kind of the game. If you said, 'Hey we're going to go out there, we're punting, and everyone chill out for a second while he hits three,' and then he's going to punt them, that's not very realistic. I thought he handled it well, I thought it went well and we'll continue to do that."
KEYS FOR A WEEK 1 GAME PLAN
Payton has spoken about quarterback Bo Nix's increased comfort level with Denver's offense, but he said the Broncos' Week 1 game plan must be designed with every player in mind.
"It's still [about] the masses," Payton said. "Early in the season, be careful there's not too much [installed]. Let's get to the things that we, as a group offensively, do well, the things that he really feels comfortable with, and there'll be a few twists. Each team has a different defensive structure. But I think the mistake would be this large jump in volume. It's never about the amount; it's the details within each play. The details for [WR Courtland] Sutton, [WR Pat] Bryant, [WR Troy] Franklin, it's the details with everyone. He can move as that group can move. We always talk about painting a picture for the 'Q,' and we might love a play, and yet are we there yet at tight end or receiver? We just have to make sure we're moving. We're still a young offense. We're experienced in the offensive line, but I think that's something that's important, especially early in the year."
'GOOD NEWS' ON MIMS, EVALUATING WORKLOAD FOR SINGLETON & GREENLAW
A day after wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. left practice early with a groin injury, Payton said the Broncos received "good news" on the third-year receiver.
"We have a bonus practice Monday," Payton said. "He'll be at work Monday. We're fortunate."
Payton also said he expect to "look at pitch counts" for inside linebackers Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw for Week 1 as they return from their respective injuries. He noted the team would "be ready to play some younger players and not just say, 'Hey, Week 1, we're throwing them out there for 70 plays.'"