Football is back, and the Broncos will open their preseason Friday on the road against the Falcons with a handful of questions already sitting front and center.
For Denver, this is the first game action since the AFC championship loss, and the new look starts with the person sending in the offense. Davis Webb has taken over as the play-caller, and one of the first things to monitor is whether the operation runs smoothly enough to get the calls in on time.
That was a problem for Bo Nix last year, and there were games when his frustration was obvious as the play calls came in slowly from Sean Payton on the sideline. Nix may not play in the opener, but the Broncos can still be evaluated on whether Webb gets the communication right and gives the quarterbacks enough time to adjust before the snap.
The back end of the defense is another area worth watching. Camp has brought repeated criticism of the safeties, with too many downfield throws getting over their heads.
Friday offers the first game setting to see whether that changes or whether Denver has to consider outside help. The Broncos do have confidence in their depth safeties on special teams, but they need somebody to claim a real defensive role.
Linebacker depth is also up for grabs. Payton has said he wants someone to seize the third spot, and the preseason opener gives that group a chance to make its case. Karene Reid and Red Murdock have already flashed at times in camp, and this is a better stage for all of them to show what they can do, especially with special teams factoring into the competition.
There’s plenty to sort out in the run game, too. Denver was uneven last season when J.K.
Dobbins wasn’t the one carrying the load, both before and after his injury. The offensive line was solid without being flawless, but the tight ends were a real problem as run blockers.
That makes this a bigger proving ground for that group, which is short on proven blockers. Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley could become options down the line, but for now the room is basically Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins, with Adkins also dealing with an injury.
The question is simple: can the tight ends help the run game instead of hurting it like they did last year?
The Falcons should also provide a useful test for Denver’s defensive front, even if some Atlanta starters sit out, including Bijan Robinson. The Broncos had their own stretches of inconsistency against power running teams a year ago, and this will be a chance to see how they handle it again.
That applies to the group as a whole and to individual players, especially Sai’vion Jones and Que Robinson, who still have run-defense questions to answer. Robinson showed some promise in limited action in 2025, and his camp work suggests there’s something to build on.
Now it’s time to show it in a game.
Special teams brings one more area to track. Marvin Mims Jr. is Denver’s All-Pro returner, but the Broncos need someone else to handle kick returns and give them backup value in the return game. With Mims nursing an injury, he’s unlikely to play, which should open the door for rookies Jonah Coleman, Kolbe Katsis, and Cameron Ross to get plenty of work there.
In Other News...
Broncos Just Sparked A Real Troy Franklin Debate In Camp
Training camp brought the first public snapshot of how Denver sees its receiver room heading into 2026, and it already has some bite to it. The Broncos initial unofficial depth chart slots Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton as the starting wideouts, with Marvin Mims Jr. next in line, a setup that underscores just how much the offseason trade for Waddle has changed the conversation around the position.
The part that stands out for Denver is where Troy Franklin landed. After finishing as the teams second-leading receiver in 2025, Franklin is listed behind Mims and others, a reminder that early camp charts are more evaluation than verdict. Still, when a player who produced as much as Franklin did opens behind the expected pecking order, it naturally turns into one of the more interesting competitions on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Preseason Opener Suddenly Carries More Pressure Than Expected
Day 11 of Broncos training camp brought a little more clarity to Sean Paytons preseason plan, even if it left some important questions hanging. Russell Wilson will sit out the upcoming opener, while most of the starters are expected to get around 15 snaps, giving Denver its first real look at how the top of the roster wants to look before the games start counting.
The quarterback battle behind Wilson is still open, with Jarrett Stidham slated to handle the first half and Sam Ehlinger to take the second in the preseason game. Denver also got some encouraging practice participation from players coming off injuries, including J.K. Dobbins and Brandon Key, but the day was not without a setback after center Michael Deiter went down with a season-ending quad injury. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Just Sent A Telling Message About Their Safety Depth
With the preseason opener approaching, the Broncos brought in free-agent safety Taylor Rapp for a workout as part of their ongoing look at the back end of the roster. Denver already has Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones penciled in as the starting safeties, so a veteran visit at this stage suggests the staff is still taking a hard look at how the depth behind them fits together.
The workout also puts a little extra spotlight on the names competing for backup roles, with the Broncos still sorting through options as camp moves into game week. Whether Rapp is more than a one-day stop remains to be seen, but the visit itself is a useful reminder that Denver does not appear ready to simply hand out those reserve safety jobs without another round of evaluation. [Read more 🡒]