Prior to arriving in Denver, Smith competed during the 2021 offseason as a member of the Seahawks.

"This is ridiculous it's taken this long for [Atwater] to get in. I've always said that Steve should have always been in [the Hall of Fame]."

A little more than two months ago, Cooper underwent a procedure that — had it not gone according to plan — could have ended his professional career before it began.

The intensity certainly ramped up on Tuesday morning, as the Broncos put pads on for the first time in training camp and added an element of physicality to their practice.