ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The next time the Broncos take the field, training camp will have arrived and the 2025 regular season will be mere weeks away.

Denver ended its 2025 offseason program Thursday with its third and final mandatory minicamp practice, and Head Coach Sean Payton highlighted the value of the offseason on-field work.

"What's really important is assignment [and] alignment," Payton said. "That can keep a player from playing. We always talk about the three ways a player is being evaluated: Does the player know what to do? Is he trying to do what's being coached? And then lastly, how well does he do it? So assignment, alignment, technique — those things."

The Broncos' on-field work came later than it did for most — and perhaps all — teams across the league. Since arriving in Denver, Payton has emphasized the importance of strength and conditioning work — and he identified that training as one of the reasons he views the offseason as a success.

"We're probably the only team that stays in Phase 1 for five weeks," Payton said. "I would say the most important thing we do is lift, change our bodies, run, condition. We'll have plenty of time for the football. And there's a reason we've spent five weeks and we don't even go near [a football]. I don't want them pulling into the parking lot in April thinking they're coming to football practice. I want them coming here knowing that they're going to get a good workout in, good lift in. So, that would be the most important thing."

NIX 'PLAYING FAST' AS HE ENTERS YEAR 2

Quarterback Bo Nix's continued progression as he enters his second season is key to the Broncos' 2025 campaign, and Payton has spoken often this offseason about Nix's increased comfort level.

Following a practice in which Nix stepped up to complete an impressive downfield pass to Troy Franklin, Payton summarized the progress he's seen from the second-year starter.

"Less pause, less hesitation with the play call in the huddle," Payton said. "Less pause, less hesitation in the pocket. He's playing fast. Again, protecting the ball. He's hard to sack. He was hard to sack in college. You're seeing him play faster with more confidence."

READY FOR CAMP

Wide receiver Devaughn Vele did not practice during mandatory minicamp, but Head Coach Sean Payton said he expects the second-year receiver to return for the beginning of training camp.

"He's going to be full go [for the] start of training camp," Payton said. "Everything's good."

Payton said wide receiver A.T. Perry may be the only player who will "go a week into training camp and then be ready depending on [how] the summer goes."

All other players, Payton said, are expected to be ready for the start of camp.