Good morning, Broncos Country!
While the Broncos are getting acclimated to high altitude today, we are going to get acclimated with our competition (not that most of you aren’t already keenly aware of them).
But The Athletic chose one player to watch during training camp per NFL team, and I found the choices interesting ... and fun to discuss.
But first, let’s look at their pick for Denver’s “player to watch” — Dre Greenlaw.
Denver Broncos: LB Dre Greenlaw
The Broncos believe they can produce one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2025,
ADand signing Greenlaw in free agency was a move to improve the “spine” of that unit. If Greenlaw plays at a level that approaches his peak in San Francisco, the Broncos should be dangerous at every level of the defense, which includes a terrorizing front (league-high 63 sacks last season) and a secondary starting Defensive Player of the Year honoree Pat Surtain II. The big question is whether Greenlaw, who missed the spring with a quad injury, can get to the season healthy. — Nick Kosmider
Commentary: This is a solid choice. The free agent pickup was a stealth acquisition by the Broncos, and there is no question that a Greenlaw who returns to his 2023 form is going to be a major contributor to the Denver defense achieving its goal of being No. 1 overall this season.
Kansas City Chiefs: TE Travis Kelce
He’ll turn 36 in October. He regressed last season and was a non-factor in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. He thought about walking away. He has about as busy a schedule away from football as any other player in the game. But Kelce is back, invigorated by the sour taste in his mouth from that game in February. “I feel like I failed my guys,” he said in June. Coach Andy Reid has vowed to keep a close eye on Kelce in training camp, guarding against overuse. “He doesn’t know he’s getting older, but I do,” Reid said. — Zak Keefer
Commentary: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Seriously, I’ll just be so happy when this guy is done playing football.
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Geno Smith
Smith has plenty of familiarity with coach Pete Carroll, but he’s still a newcomer working to learn offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system and ingratiate himself with his teammates. The Raiders have had a revolving door at quarterback for a few years and made a significant commitment to Smith with the belief that he’s the answer. The offense surrounding him isn’t anything to write home about, which puts a lot of pressure on him to be at his best. Training camp isn’t the end all be all, but fans will start to get restless if he doesn’t have a strong one. — Tashan Reed
Commentary: Interesting choice, but I get it (sort of). When you’ve had a carousel of QBs for years, the most important position to watch every training camp is going to be the QB. Personally, I’ll be paying some attention to the rookie running back sensation, Ashton Jeanty, to see how much of a problem he’s going to be this season. BUT I am also curious to watch new head coach Pete Carroll, who is 147 years old and back to coaching against several familiar foes.
Los Angeles Chargers: RB Omarion Hampton
Hampton was already poised to have a big offensive role after the Chargers selected him No. 22 in April. He now has a chance to carve out a larger role even sooner because of running back Najee Harris’ uncertain status. Harris injured his eye in a July 4 fireworks accident. He was placed on the non-football injury list. Hampton was the clear lead back on the field as the Chargers opened training camp July 17. He has game-changing talent, and that should come to life in the weeks ahead. The Chargers were happy with how Hampton looked during spring practices, when the team was not in pads. “I think he’s going to be even better in pads,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. — Daniel Popper
Commentary: Finally the obvious choice. As with the Raiders and Jeanty, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of rushing attack we’re going to be up against in the AFC this year. Also curious to see how well the Broncos’ run game will stack up in comparison to the Raiders and Chargers who both put major stock into that element of their game.
It looks like it’s shaping up to be another fun, nail-biting season in Denver.
️ It's #BroncosCamp Week ️
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 21, 2025
See you soon! pic.twitter.com/fg6vLKqw5c
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