Good morning, Broncos Country!
When it came time to pick out his jersey number, rookie offensive lineman Kage Casey didn’t hesitate.
No. 78.
It was a nod to former four-time Broncos Pro Bowler — and fellow Boise State alum — Ryan Clady.
“It’s a pretty good number,” Casey said of the choice, adding that he met Clady once when he was playing in the LA Bowl. “But that was it.”
If Casey can produce like Clady in that jersey, the Broncos offensive line will be in good hands for many years.
And that’s the hope.
“He’s got flex, so guard/tackle
flex,” head coach Sean Payton said during rookie mini camp a week ago. “He is one of those guys who we felt could do a lot and even go inside and play center. I think we are working him in at guard and tackle.”
When the Broncos selected Casey in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, it had been a minute since Denver had invested draft capital in the offensive line, the last time being Quinn Meinerz in the third round of the 2021 draft.
But more importantly it represented a key step toward maintaining strong depth for a position group Payton has always held in high regard. Prior to becoming the head coach in 2022, his biggest criticism of the team was the O-line.
And for good reason. In 2022, Denver gave up 63 sacks, so Payton made improving the line a priority. Proof of his plan is in the numbers. The Broncos’ offensive line has been ranked at the top the last two years, and is second only to the Panthers when it comes to the amount of money poured into the offensive line — $93.7 million according to Spotrac.
Led by veteran left tackle Garett Bolles and right guard Quinn Meinerz — turned in a league-low six sacks across the entire 2025 season, the only team to surrender fewer than 13. They also yielded just 137 total pressures.
“It’s the one group that permeates your building,” Payton said a year ago as the team started offseason work and was looking to build upon 2024’s success. “If you’re not really good on the offensive line, you don’t know how good you are, then, on the defensive line. It’s the first line of attack, so when that group is playing at a certain level, then very quickly the defensive front has to meet that standard, or it’s not good. So from a football intelligence (perspective), it’s probably one of the most important position groups.”‘
No doubt recognizing this, Casey has already been studying film on his new teammates — no matter if he lines up at tackle or guard.
“Playing tackle, I’ve watched Garett a lot, and bumping to guard, I’ve been watching a ton of tape on Quinn and Ben [Powers].,” Casey said. “It’s been really helpful.”
During the rookie mini camp, Casey was able to go beyond the film room and start gaining some mentors among his fellow linemen.
“I’ve talked to Garett, Quinn and Mike [McGlinchey] and just asking them the best ways to learn the playbook and what not,” he said. “They’ve been really helpful.”
But perhaps the best experience for the young lineman has been working under offensive run game coordinator and assistant coach Zach Strief.
“It’s awesome working under him.,” Casey added. “The way he describes all the techniques and plays makes it so seamless, and I can just learn so much faster.”
