When the Broncos line up against the 49ers, the offense on the other sideline is going to feel awfully familiar. Kyle Shanahan’s system is built from the same coaching bloodline that Broncos fans know well, and this matchup gives Denver a close look at the original version of an offense that has spread all over the league.
That’s part of what makes this such a tricky test. The Shanahan offense has shaped plenty of NFL attacks over the years, and it has done so because it works.
It gives quarterbacks a clean structure, but it also comes with a load of terminology that can make life complicated. Former Broncos quarterback Bubby Brister said in Sam Jane’s Denver Post piece that he was surprised by how much verbiage there was in the system, noting that play calls can stretch to 15 words and that players had to turn in weekly tests on it.
The design itself is all about stress. Motion, deception, and constant shifting force defenders to process too much too quickly.
Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey said the offense is meant to put defenders “in conflict,” and that can show up in all kinds of ways, from horizontal routes to pre-snap movement to players lining up in unusual spots. At one point, the 49ers even put offensive tackle Trent Williams in motion before the snap to help open the way for a running back.
That’s where Kyle Shanahan’s real edge shows up. The offense creates leverage, and that leverage helps the run game hum no matter who is carrying the ball. Once that ground game gets going, the play-action game opens up behind it, and that remains one of the most reliable tools in the NFL.
For Broncos fans, a lot of this will look like a throwback to the Mike Shanahan years in Denver, when the same family name helped define the offense. But the familiarity doesn’t make the challenge any smaller. This is shaping up as one of the toughest games on the Broncos’ early schedule, especially with the 49ers coming in as a juggernaut on the road.
Denver has already had its share of heavy competition from the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, and Sean McVay’s Rams also run a version of the Shanahan system built around heavy formations and multiple tight ends. Still, the Broncos can’t let this one get away from them early. If they don’t put together a full four quarters, they could easily slip to 2-2 against a 49ers team that will demand their best from start to finish.
In Other News...
Broncos Niners Preview Turned Into An Unexpected Live TV Moment
Sundays FOX NFL Sunday pregame show had its usual Broncos-49ers preview rhythm until Terry Bradshaw briefly turned the set into a cleanup scene. While talking through the matchup, Bradshaw accidentally knocked over a cup of coffee, creating a live-TV moment that viewers saw unfold in real time.
Curt Menefee moved in to handle the spill, and Bradshaw kept right on with the analysis without missing a beat. It was a reminder that even on a polished studio show, the most memorable moments can come from the kind of unscripted mishap no one sees coming. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Rookie Jahfari Harvey Just Hit An Important Early Step
Jahfari Harvey is taking an important first step in his early Broncos journey, and for a rookie outside linebacker, that usually means proving he can absorb the details before anything else. Harvey confirmed he has been signed to the practice squad and is currently working on the scout team while learning the playbook, a familiar but meaningful stage for a young defender trying to earn a longer look in Denver.
For a team that is constantly balancing development with immediate needs, getting a rookie into the building and into the system matters. Harveys focus now is on the daily grind of practice work and installation, the kind of behind-the-scenes progress that does not show up on game day but can determine whether a player is ready when the next opportunity arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Catch A Timely Edge Against Banged Up 49ers
The Broncos head into Week 4 with something every team wants this time of year: a cleaner bill of health than the opponent across the field. Marvin Mims Jr. and Jaylen Waddle were full participants all week, giving Denver a healthier look as it prepares to face a San Francisco defense that is already dealing with several key injuries and a long list of players on injured reserve.
Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. are among the 49ers who have been out or questionable, which leaves Denver in position to try to press an edge before the game even kicks off. The Broncos are also set to elevate practice squad defender Johnny Walker to help cover for injured Dondrea Tillman, a small but telling roster move that underscores how much both sides are managing before this matchup. [Read more 🡒]