Tight end Adam Trautman has spent a lot of time around Head Coach Sean Payton over the years. A third-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2020, Trautman reunited with Payton in Denver via a draft day trade back in 2023.
While not the ‘joker’ Payton covets at the position, Trautman has performed well primarily operating an in-line blocking tight end for the Broncos’ offense. In 34 games with 26 starts, the sixth-year pro has notched 35 receptions for 392 yards, 5 touchdowns and 18 first downs.
He doesn’t get targeted much but makes the most of the opportunities that come his way.
Over the past two seasons, Trautman’s seen at least 500 of the team’s offensive snaps. He has also been a quality contributor on special team’s units. Yesterday after practice, Payton offered praise for his run blocking prowess and mentioned how important he will be in the team’s revamped rushing attack in 2025.
“He’s very important, and we’ll incorporate some jumbo tight end packages too to help him. You have to be able to block the ‘D’ gap. There are some tight ends that are a little bit better in-line. He’s one of them,” stated Payton.
Entering his third year with the team, Trautman is excited about the evolution of the Broncos offense. Noting stability at quarterback with Bo Nix was the primary reason. A close second—a strong emphasis on the running game—which the veteran believes will have the offense will be much more productive this season.
“Nix is so in command now. He’s kind of talking about things that he likes, things that he doesn’t, and he has a lot more control over that,” remarked Trautman in glowing praise of the franchise’s second-year signal caller.
“Then I’d say run game for sure. Obviously, that’s been an emphasis with everything we’ve done. I mean we’ve been drilling the hell out of it, which is why we’ve been in pads, so we can simulate it as best we can. I think those are the two areas probably we’ve progressed the most and definitely are looking to see progression from,” he added.
This year, the Broncos’ offense is set to incorporate more outside zone concepts in their scheme. With J.K. Dobbins and promising rookie RJ Harvey in the mix, they are poised to be much better on the ground compared to last season. In order for them to execute those runs at a high level, they’ll need Trautman’s ability as a blocker to stand out to maximize the potential of their running backs.
Though it’s not just the tight ends who will have to do well as blockers. It will take a complete team effort from the linemen to receivers to establish a formidable ground game. He mentioned teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, who excel in that manner due to their physicality. If all goes well, and Trautman believes it will, Denver could have one of the league’s most formidable offenses.
“I think it starts at every position: receivers understanding their rules, tight ends trusting landmarks and sprinting off the ball, and then interior wise from tackle to tackle we’ve always been pretty good. I know they’ve had some stuff to work on as well, but the progression of it’s been great, and we’re calling it and we’re running it.”
