Good morning, Broncos Country!
We are FINALLY kicking off Week 1 of the 2026 season and Broncos against Chiefs on Monday Night Football could not be a better way to do it.
And whatever hope you have that the Chiefs will trot out a hobbled Patrick Mahomes in Week 1 after spending the offseason recovering from a season-ending ACL tear last year, Sean Payton has some advice for you.
Just stop (because he “answered this last week”).
“I think we’re looking at it and expecting someone who’s 100 percent, someone who’s moving well based
on what limited footage you get,” Payton admitted. “He’s going to be one of those guys that threatens you not only in the pocket, but out of the pocket.”
Basically, the head coach said, prepare for vintage Mahomes.
“Our approach has been pay close attention to what we’ve seen historically film-wise, how we defend not only him, but their team,” the head coach added. “I think you have to be ready and prepare for what you know is his best, and that’s in the pocket, that’s the extended plays, that’s him running.”
And often finding an open target, much to the dismay of the defensive backs.
But Patrick Surtain II and his fellow DBs have been focusing on takeaways this offseason, so they are looking forward to showcasing the hard work.
“I think it’s all about intention. It’s one thing to think about turnovers, but it’s being intentional at the same time,” Surtain II said. “When you’re going to the ball, you’re intentional about stripping the ball out, about intercepting the ball. I think that’s what matters because we all have the ability. We all could get a takeaway, we all could pick the ball, but it’s all about a mindset going in towards a play and actually capitalizing on those opportunities.”
And with the addition of Kenneth Walker III to the running back room, the Broncos’ run defense may have to be as strong as its pass defense when facing the Chiefs.
“I think [Walker III] has really good contact balance, vision with home-run speed,” Payton said. “He’s a heck of a football player.”
But perhaps one of the toughest matchups for Payton when facing the Chiefs is squaring off against defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
“Steve [Spagnuolo] has always done a great job disguising looks, giving you zone-pressure looks,” Payton said. “He’s not afraid to play zero. You’re going to have to have a real good protection plan and be disciplined in your approach, especially when you’re facing that defense on the road with the noise.”
Since the Broncos have won the last three matchups against the Chiefs, it would be easy to be lulled into thinking this rivalry — and this division — is the Broncos’ to lose.
But no one in the building is thinking that. Every year is a new season with new challenges — and new challengers.
“This is a very tough division,” said offensive guard Quinn Meinerz. “Every game is tough. … You kind of have to have short-term memory. You have to forget about what happened last season, because every season’s completely different. We have a new team. They have a new team. The division’s open for whoever to take at this point.”
Meinerz added that each season the team has prove itself all over again.
“That’s something we have to do again this year. That’s just kind of the nature of the beast of the NFL is everyone kind of resets and gets ready for the next season,” Meinerz added. “I think we’ve done a good job resetting. We know they’ve done a great job as well. They’re a really well-coached team. It’s going to be AFC West football.”
