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Horse Tracks: Tight ends could be Nix’s favorite weapons

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Good morning, Broncos Country!

We are in the final days of the worst time of year in pro football (aka, July) and I’m pretty sure the Broncos chose to end this misery Wednesday because they knew it was my birthday (thank you, Broncos!) And then it will be off to the races as the full team joins next week and training camp gets underway.

In an interesting conversation on denverbroncos.com, Aric DiLalla made an interesting point about who might emerge as a breakout player:

“It could be a week-to-week deal,” he said. “Sean Payton is

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so good at using different personnel groupings, game planning, using a matchup to his advantage that one week, maybe it’s Evan Engram that’s getting 10 targets, maybe it’s Courtland Sutton that they feed, maybe it’s ‘hey we want a heavy dose of RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins.’ So week to week, I think there’s a bevy of weapons for Bo Nix and this offense.”

So if the Broncos are interested in giving me a great birthday present (you owe me, Broncos!), then I put my request in for a “heavy dose” of tight end-centric plays this year. Now that Denver has a quarterback who can see over the O-line and attack the middle of the field, the tight end room could become Nix’s favorite (second only to the O-line room, of course).

Not that I don’t look forward to seeing enhanced chemistry between Nix and his wideouts, or that I’m not interested in what should be a much-improved running back crew, but this offense desperately needs game-changing tight ends — and this year’s squad seems promising.

With veteran standout tight end Evan Engram joining the roster, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull ready to build off a decent 2024 season, and basketball-player-turned-footballer Caleb Lohner adding intrigue, Denver may finally have a TE room that Payton can use to his advantage — tight ends who can block, run routes and get separation to create the mismatches that give Payton his “jokers.”

Back in the day, Shannon Sharpe was my favorite player. And who didn’t love watching Peyton Manning connect with Julius Thomas for multiple touchdowns in 2013 and 2014?

Of the “bevy of weapons” Nix will have at his disposal this season, it’s an Elway-Sharpe/Manning-Thomas connection I most look forward to watching develop.

Broncos/NFL News

Ahead of Denver Broncos training camp, 44 thoughts on the team’s offensive players - The Athletic
Where quarterback Bo Nix can show early signs of growth as he begins his second training camp?

Who will emerge as key playmakers for the Broncos? | Countdown to Camp
As we count down to the start of 2025 Broncos Training Camp powered by Ford, join Hall of Famer Steve Atwater, team reporter Elisa Hernandez and lead writer Aric DiLalla in the studio to discuss who could join Courtland Sutton as key contributors for the

Looking at Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Caleb Lohner and the Broncos' TE room entering fall camp
The Broncos have kept four TEs on the initial 53-man for two straight years under Sean Payton, and that seems unlikely to change in 2025.

Former Broncos starting quarterback suspended from current high school job | Sporting News
Former Denver Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended from his job as a high school football head coach, but there is some confusion over the .

NFL, Sony set to debut new headsets for coaches this season - The Athletic
Sony's custom-built headsets aim to improve sound quality and sideline communication for NFL coaches and staffers.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud working to become stronger, faster - ESPN
Houston's quarterback is adding more speed to his game to help him escape pressure in the pocket.

Sources - Jets WR Garrett Wilson lands 4-year, $130M extension - ESPN
The Jets and wide receiver Garrett Wilson reached agreement on a four-year, $130 million contract extension that includes $90 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

Teddy Bridgewater suspended from Miami Northwestern coaching job - ESPN
Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended from his position as a high school football coach in Miami for allegedly providing impermissible benefits.

'I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE' — Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater responds to Miami Northwestern suspension news
He's not backing down.

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