ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Early in the Broncos' offseason program, quarterback Case Keenum clarified one aspect of his new role as Denver's starter.
While he was appreciative of the opportunity to head into a season as the unquestioned signal caller, he wouldn't declare himself the leader of either the offense or the team.
Instead, Keenum said, he'd aim to work every day to prove himself to his teammates.
The process — at least through the first several weeks of OTAs — seems to be moving at an accelerated pace.
"The guys have already rallied around him," safety Justin Simmons said. "I know he talks about how he wanted to come in and earn that leadership spot. I'm not speaking for him or for anyone on the offensive side, but I feel like he is definitely earning it, if not has earned it. Day by day already, just in OTAs, he's taken full steam of the offense and has really gotten them going."
That seems evident in talking with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who has been one of the main beneficiaries of Keenum's arrival.
The new version offense, Sanders said, gives Keenum and Co. a variety of ways in which they can attack a defense, and they're displaying them in OTAs.
During Wednesday's practice, Sanders saw a number of his teammates make big plays on the offensive side of the ball. After a 2017 season in which the team struggled to create explosive plays, that's a welcome change.
"I tell you what, everybody — like at practice today — everybody was making plays on the offensive side," Sanders said. "A lot of big-time plays. We went off [as] wide receivers, and [had] great balls by the quarterbacks. I'm optimistic; I like what I'm seeing."
Sanders rattled off a series of names — Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Jake Butt, Jeff Heuerman — but the most impressive offensive player may be Keenum.
As Thomas said on May 29, one of Keenum's most noticeable attributes is the way in which he leads the team while on the field.
On the next-to-last day of OTAs, the Broncos' offense and defense continued to make strides to return to top form.
nose tackle Kyle Peko (90), fullback Andy Janovich (32) and safety Justin Simmons (31) before the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Jimmy Williams (85) stretches before the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
running back David Williams (36) relaxes before the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tackle Menelik Watson (75) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
running back Royce Freeman (37), running back Phillip Lindsay (2), running back De'Angelo Henderson Sr. (33) and running back David Williams (36) stretch before the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tackle Leon Johnson (63), guard Sam Jones (70) and tackle Andreas Knappe (73) stretch before the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tackle Leon Johnson (63) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) puts on his helmet before the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
outside linebacker Stansly Maponga (59) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Chad Kelly (6) hands the ball off to running back Royce Freeman (37) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Nick Stevens (5) checks the call with running back Phillip Lindsay (2) in the backfield at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
safety Su'a Cravens (21) points at the office at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tackle Andreas Knappe (73) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
outside linebacker Jeff Holland (46) pulls his gloves on at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Chad Kelly (6) rolls out to throw at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
defensive tackle DeShawn Williams (93) jogs off the field at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
defensive end Shelby Harris (96) talks with defensive end Zach Kerr (92) on the sideline at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
defensive end Zach Kerr (92) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) performs defensive line drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr. (91) performs defensive line drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
safety Darian Stewart (26) grapples with safety Su'a Cravens (21) during drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
safety Jamal Carter (20) grapples wiith safety Dymonte Thomas (35) during drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Case Keenum (4) prepares to throw to a receiver at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Case Keenum (4), quarterback Paxton Lynch (12), quarterback Chad Kelly (6) and quarterback Nick Stevens (5) during quarterback drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Paxton Lynch (12), quarterback Case Keenum (4), quarterback Chad Kelly (6) and quarterback Nick Stevens (5) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Case Keenum (4) looks to throw to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) talks with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) makes a catch as cornerback Isaac Yiadom (41) defends at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
running back Phillip Lindsay (2) tries to find room to run at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
center Matt Paradis (61) points to the defense's point of attack at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
running back David Williams (36) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) turns upfield after a catch at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
safety Will Parks (34), safety Justin Simmons (31) and safety Darian Stewart (26) on the sideline at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Chad Kelly (6) throws to running back De'Angelo Henderson Sr. (33) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver John Diarse (9) works with Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni on being physical after the snap at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (17) during wide receiver drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver River Cracraft (15) during wide receiver drills at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver John Diarse (9) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
running back Royce Freeman (37) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Case Keenum (4) awaits the snap at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tight end Jake Butt (80) pulls in a one-handed catch for a touchdown at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tight end Jake Butt (80) pulls in a one-handed catch for a touchdown at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tight end Brian Parker (89) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Chad Kelly (6) runs in for a touchdown at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
outside linebacker Shane Ray (56) and outside linebacker Von Miller (58) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
running back Phillip Lindsay (2) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tight end Jake Butt (80) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Kenny Bell (13) pulls in a touchdown catch at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Kenny Bell (13) celebrates a touchdown catch with other offensive teammates at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Case Keenum (4) at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) runs for a touchdown at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tight end Brian Parker (89) leaps for a pass in the back of the end zone at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) takes a moment to rest between practice periods at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) peers into the offensive backfield at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) eludes defenders at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) runs in for a touchdown and points at the camera at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) points at the camera after taking a reception in for a touchdown at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) smiles after scoring a touchdown at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
tight end Brian Parker (89) runs after a catch at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave, quarterback Case Keenum (4), Quarterbacks Coach Mike Sullivan, quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) and Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Klint Kubiak at the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
Head Coach Vance Joseph speaks to the team after the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
The defensive backs huddle together after the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
safety Darian Stewart (26), safety Will Parks (34), cornerback Bradley Roby (29), safety Su'a Cravens (21) and safety Justin Simmons (31) pose for a photo after the ninth day of OTAs on June 6, 2018 at UCHealth Training Center.
"He takes control of everything," Thomas said. "Not just offense, but the whole group. Offense, defense, special teams and all. He takes control of the huddle. I know that I was in the huddle one day and I said, 'Wait, wait, wait. We're missing …' and he said, 'I got this.' And I said, 'OK.'
"So it's stuff like that. It's good to have him around."
That leadership hasn't stopped off the field. Keenum, Thomas and Sanders are working to finalize a throwing session over the summer break, and Keenum has made the most of every spare second while at the facility.
"Every day — the majority of the days — he'll come in and ask me and D.T. to go and watch practices," Sanders said, "and we'll sit in the back room and watch film and go over what he's thinking and what we're thinking."
“I’ve been a part of two Super Bowl teams and that’s what it takes.” Emmanuel Sanders
Think those extra film sessions are overkill or that they're just for show?
Sanders made it clear Wednesday just how valuable extra studying in June can be when a team turns the corner from December to January.
"I've been a part of two Super Bowl teams and that's what it takes," Sanders said. "That extra work that's not mandatory, where guys are in there working out or working on their mental game. That right there — when it's fourth quarter or when it's fourth-and-5 or third-and-8 — that's the stuff that gets you over the hill."
With Keenum on the Broncos' side, that hill may not seem so daunting.
