SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It's about that time.

The Broncos are poised to kick off their 2025 preseason slate on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, and Denver's starters are expected to see action at Levi's Stadium.

Denver's ultimate goal in 2025 is to return to the Bay Area, but the process begins with the preseason snaps against the Niners.

As Bo Nix and Co. prepare for the game, here are several things to keep an eye on during Saturday's action.

HOW DOES BO NIX LOOK IN HIS FIRST ACTION OF YEAR 2?

The Broncos' second-year quarterback has had an impressive training camp, and he seemed to have had one of his stronger practices of the summer on Thursday against the 49ers.

Throughout training camp, Head Coach Sean Payton has spoken about Nix's improved comfort level in the offense and recently described his ability to operate the offense as "light years further along."

On Saturday, Broncos fans should get their first chance to see Nix in game action, and he'll aim to show both the quick processing and playmaking ability that has been on display during training camp.

"You treat it like a game," Nix said Thursday. "I'm going to go in there and play as many snaps as they give me, try to move the football, be efficient, get in and out of the huddle, operate well, make sure we're all on the same page, and essentially just make football plays — go out there and do what needs to be done to move the ball and score touchdowns."

HOW DO THE BRONCOS' ROOKIES PERFORM IN THEIR DEBUT?

Several of the Broncos' rookies have impressed in training camp, and Saturday's game will offer the first chance to see them in live action.

On offense, running back RJ Harvey has shown flashes with quick burst and vision, and he'll aim to translate that to game action as he looks to carve out a role. Third-round pick Pat Bryant has also made a number of highlight plays, and he could bring his contested-catch ability to the field in Santa Clara.

Defensively, first-round pick Jahdae Barron may have an opportunity to continue to push for first-team reps.

"He's very instinctive," Payton said Thursday. "He's very smart — exceptionally smart. I think that's a big plus for him."

A slew of other Denver rookies — from seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner to a number of undrafted free agents — will also get a chance to make their mark on Saturday.

HOW DOES THE RUNNING BACK COMPETITION UNFOLD?

Denver's running back competition has been among the most compelling elements of training camp, and it could heat up on Saturday. For the first time, the team's running backs will get a chance to face live reps — and that could be a benefit for several of the team's rushers.

"You don't get to appreciate him until it's tackle, and then you appreciate him because he didn't get tackled," Payton said of Jaleel McLaughlin in late July.

Behind J.K. Dobbins — who was listed as the starter on the team's initial unofficial depth chart — McLaughlin and a number of other backs will compete for spots. Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson have all made plays at times during training camp, but who can translate that performance to a game setting?

Payton said Thursday that the Broncos are starting to evaluate a "group of runners who are all competing for a spot or two." That competition continues in earnest against the Niners.

WHAT SORT OF FIRST IMPRESSION DOES DENVER'S DEFENSE MAKE?

The Broncos' defense showed its potential early in Thursday's practice, as the first-team unit flew around to make stops by the line of scrimmage and record a takeaway. It was the latest sign that Denver could improve upon its third-ranked scoring performance from 2024 and take a step toward being the top defense in the league.

With the Niners not expected to play a ton of their starters, according to their head coach, Kyle Shanahan, the Denver defense won't see the same level of talent it did on Thursday. And yet, it will still offer the group a chance to show the consistency that will allow the unit to take the next step.

"I think the next step is avoiding the awkward big plays, the awkward series," Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph said Tuesday. "If you're going to be a top defense in this league, just consistency, building depth to do that and over a long season is important for us. I'd say every defense's goal is to always be consistent, and if you're going to be dominant, that's every down, every game, every quarter. That's our goal."

Denver's defense may not have every starter available — Payton said Dre Greenlaw likely will not play — but the group still has a chance to work toward Joseph's goal.