When the Broncos officially hit the practice field for training camp next week (Yes, it is almost here), there will be several storylines that we will be following. Despite making it to the AFC Championship Game last season, being the number one seed, and winning the AFC West, the Broncos made some major changes to their team this offseason, and this will be our first real look at these changes. On top of that, they have some key players coming back from injury and some roster battles to keep an eye
on. Here are the storylines I believe we should be keeping track of during the Denver Broncos’ 2026 training camp practices.
Bo Nix is back
After suffering a broken ankle during the final plays of the Broncos’ thrilling overtime comeback victory vs. the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, quarterback Bo Nix missed the vast majority of the offseason program. He was absent during OTA’s but did come back in a limited fashion during the team’s minicamp practices last month. However, Nix is expected to be 100% and ready to go for the start of camp, and this will be our first look at Nix since that bittersweet victory in January.
Nix spoke to the media last month after returning to the practice field and told reporters that his doctors told him his ankle, which he had multiple surgeries on, looks good as new.
I felt really good, just a little bit of soreness. Just wanted to go ahead and get it out of the way for good. Now they tell me—I didn’t get in there and look at it—but the doctors told me that the ankle looks good as new. We’re right back to normal. So once the progression of the rehab comes and goes after you wait your due diligence and wait patiently and get through it, it should feel great.”
He was later asked if he would be able to go full go by the start of training camp, and Nix told reporters, “Yes, I could go full go right now if they wanted me to”. So, the Broncos franchise quarterback should not have any limitations when camp opens up next week.
However, all eyes will be on Nix to see how he does. The expectations are Super Bowl or bust; he has a new play caller, a new number one receiver in Jaylen Waddle, and a bunch of critics ready to pounce if he struggles. The pressure will be on Nix, but thankfully for the Broncos, Nix thrives when the pressure is on, and I believe he is on the verge of a great season in 2026.
Davis Webb, the OC and play-caller
One of the bigger storylines surrounding the Broncos this offseason was the return of Davis Webb and his promotion to offensive coordinator, where he would take the play-calling duties away from head coach Sean Payton.
Webb had multiple head coaching opportunities as well as some offensive coordinator/play-calling offers from other teams. However, Webb ultimately decided to stay with the Broncos and, somewhat surprisingly, was handed the keys to the offense by Head Coach and veteran play-caller Sean Payton.
While Payton will very much be involved in the offense and in the play-calling, Webb will be the one running the offense and working directly with Bo Nix and the rest of the Broncos’ offensive players. Nix spoke to the media about Webb and told reporters that Webb is ready for the job and believes it will allow Payton to manage the other aspects of the team, which will be a “good weapon for us to have”.
“He had several chances to go be straight up a head coach, so I think we were fortunate to keep him as an organization. [I’m] just excited to see his growth and maturity as a play caller. Obviously it’ll be his first time, but he’s prepped and has been waiting for this day for a long time. This is his first opportunity, so he has to make the most of it, and he knows that and he’s working really hard. He’s had a really successful grind this offseason, just really taking what we have [and asking], ‘How can we grow it, how can we make it a little bit more suitable for where we are now?’ How can we make it so he enjoys calling it and comfortable for him? Then at the end of the day, how can he teach me to go out there and execute it and perform? We think similarly, so that’s going to be the fun part as we go. I’m really excited to have him. It allows [Head] Coach [Sean] Payton to be relieved of those duties, be able to go and do other things, like really critique the defense, really critique special teams, really look at offensive line and defensive line, really look at the trenches, look at the skill and evaluate a little bit more because his time’s not filled having to game plan or all that kind of stuff. So I think it’s just a good weapon for us to have, and I think it’s going to help us.”
While we may not see noticeable changes during camp, this will be our first real look at what a Davis Webb-run offense will look like. Some changes that have been rumored are getting the play call in fast, maybe more up-tempo, and some more aggressive plays that fall into Bo Nix’s wheelhouse.
With that said, Webb himself said that the offense will be the same for the most part, just with some tweaks here and there. He continued by saying this is a Sean Payton-coached football team and Sean Payton offensive philosophy, so Payton’s influence will still be heavily involved in this offense, as it should be.
“I would say there’s two things about that. No. 1, that was one reason why I wanted to be here was with [Head Coach] Sean [Payton] here. I trust him; he trusts me. We think very similar. I know how he wants the game to be played. It’s the same offense for the most part, just little tweaks here and there, but this is a Sean Payton-coached football team, a Sean Payton offensive philosophy, and we’re just going to grow with our QB, and our skill players and our offensive line. We have one of the best guards in football. We have Luke Wattenberg, the smartest center I’ve been around. We have a left tackle that can pass protect. We have a right tackle that can do it all. So this is a fun of offense to be a part of. The most attractive thing was leaning on Sean, being in game plan meetings with him, using his experience. I think that’s going to benefit a young play caller. I’m not dumb. I know this is a lot. However, having him there and having the relationship with the staff members. I love our staff, and we’ve been together for three years. We added [Wide Receivers Coach] Ronald Curry—thank God, he’s awesome. I loved ‘K.C.’ (Ravens Wide Receivers Coach Keary Colbert), but I’m really glad we got Ronald Curry. I’m glad we got [Offensive Quality Control Coach] Willie Snead, [Offensive Quality Control Coach] Kyle Kempt, [Offensive Quality Control Coach] JD Johnson, and then we’re running the back with the rest of the staff.”
I am excited to see the changes and tweaks Webb brings to the Broncos’ offense. He has a great relationship with quarterback Bo Nix and the trust of Head Coach Sean Payton. If all goes well, this will likely be a one-and-done sort of thing with Webb getting a head coaching gig, but that would mean that the Broncos and Nix had a ton of success, so sign me up for that.
Jaylen Waddle’s impact on the offense
The Broncos’ biggest addition to the roster was the blockbuster trade for explosive wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The former Miami Dolphin first-round pick will bring some much-needed speed, explosion, and play-making ability to the offense and should help this Broncos offense take that next step this upcoming season.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix told reporters last month that Waddle brings an element of explosiveness that the offense has lacked the past couple of years.
“There’s an element of explosiveness that I think as an offense we’ve lacked for a couple years. We’ve had plenty of explosive plays, plenty of points, all that kind of stuff. We’ve made great strides, but there was a level of explosiveness that a guy like that adds. So you could be first-and-10 and starting a drive and go one-and-done because he takes it 75, 80 yards. That’s the kind of weapon that we added, and that’s I think what we all have been out here watching and sort of really enjoy watching. Just seeing him get out here and move and run around. You just can’t replace speed. That’s just what he brings to the table. He’s extremely fast with the ball in his hands. He looks like he doesn’t really slow down to make cuts, which is pretty tough to do for a fast guy. He’s just going to add an element of relief for everybody else and take a little bit of the touches so that other guys don’t have to take them all. Once those guys take them, they’re fresh and ready to take them. I think a guy like that makes everybody on the offense better, and then it obviously helps the defense in the same way.”
Waddle’s impact on the team will be obvious from the first practice. His speed and playmaking ability are real, and he figures to be the star of training camp. We are likely to see him have many one-on-ones with his good friend Pat Surtain II, which should be fun to watch as well.
His impact on the rest of the team is noteworthy too. We have to see how the chemistry builds between him and quarterback Bo Nix since the two haven’t had many reps together this offseason. Also, Courtland Sutton will go from being the unquestioned WR1 to sharing that role or simply becoming the WR2. This should open up some things as well since he won’t be seeing PS2 or another team’s top corner on every play. Then you have the WR3 battle, the tight ends, and even the backs in the passing game. Waddle’s speed is going to open up that middle of the field because safeties will have to protect deep due to his speed.
The daily Waddle updates are going to be fun to follow.
Replacing John Franklin-Myers and possibly Jonathon Cooper
The Broncos did lose a key member of their defense this offseason when veteran interior pass rusher John Franklin-Myers signed with the Tennessee Titans during free agency. His absence leaves a big hole in the middle of the Broncos’ pass rush and one they need to fill if they want to be a top defense and lead the NFL in sacks for a third straight season.
Thankfully for the Broncos, they have several in-house options who can step up and fill that void. Veteran Malcolm Roach will see a larger role this season and has flashed some real pass rush potential during his time with the Broncos. Eyioma Uwazurike is a large human who can push the pocket, eat some blocks, and has the athletic ability to get after the passer as well. Then you have the exciting young players in Sai’vion Jones and rookie Tyler Onyedim. Jones has the physical and athletic traits you look for and spent a year learning and developing, and I am excited to see how he looks in year two. As for Onyedim, they drafted him to be the guy who replaces JFM. Payton and Paton spoke highly of him after drafting him; he looked good in the spring, so I am excited to see how he does during his first training camp.
Ideally, every player mentioned here steps up, giving the Broncos a loaded, deep defensive line rotation.
As for the Cooper situation, everything remains up in the air. He has been arrested twice; the team seemed pissed off and disappointed the last time we heard from them on the matter, and he has a disposition hearing on July 24th. His initial trial date was vacated after he was upcharged, and it remains to be seen when this matter will go to trial. So, this puts the Broncos in a tough and interesting spot.
Will he be at camp? Will he be cut? Will he be away from the team? Will he be suspended? There are a lot of unknowns right now.
So, with the Cooper stuff being what it is, all eyes will be on edge rushers Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson. Both young players have flashed talent during their short NFL careers and could be on the verge of having a breakout training camp performance. Elliss has been a talented reserve who has looked good this offseason, while Robinson flashed as a rookie, and DC Vance Joseph told reporters he looked like a future starter during his rookie year.
So, how all that plays out on and off the field will be something we have to watch in the coming weeks. There are lots of unknowns and potential outcomes here.
Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian’s contract situation and Jahdae Barron’s development
The Broncos have signed several of their pending free agents during training camp in recent years, and this summer, the team has two key members of their secondary in the final year of their contracts. Starting corners Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian are slated to be free agents at the end of the season, and the team likely has to decide which of the two they will re-sign.
We have talked and discussed this situation at length this offseason, but it is possible we could have an outcome as early as next week. We saw the Broncos sign Nik Bonitto, Courtland Sutton, and Zach Allen, all of whom were pending free agents, to extensions during or soon after camp last season, so could Moss and/or McMillian be next?
Moss has been a very solid CB2 for the Broncos and gets targeted heavily on a weekly basis due to teams avoiding Pat Surtain II, who is playing opposite him. He is a starting-caliber corner in the NFL who figures to get a massive payday if/when he hits free agency. McMillian has gone from being an undrafted free agent to becoming one of the top slot corners in the NFL. He was the hero of the Broncos’ Divisional Round and, like Moss, is also due a massive payday. So, the Broncos have some tough decisions to make there, and we’ll see if they make that decision at some point in the coming days or weeks.
One player who may factor into all of this is 2025 first-round pick Jahdae Barron. He is the logical in-house replacement for Moss or McMillian at corner and has inside/outside versatility, according to head coach Sean Payton. If he shows real development during camp, it could make the Broncos’ decision a little easier, knowing they have a replacement ready to go. If he does develop and show promise, do that potentially lead to a trade? It’s tough to say, but it’s one of the many scenarios that could play out here.
At Texas, Barron’s talent was obvious, and I would be surprised if he were to struggle in the NFL. We did see some flashes of that during his rookie year, so I am excited to see how he does in year two.
Both of these storylines will be something we have to watch throughout camp, into the preseason and potentially even throughout the season and into the upcoming offseason.
