The Denver Broncos held their penultimate practice of the week on Wednesday as they continue preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 1. Denver has another practice scheduled for Thursday, but that session will not have media members in attendance.
With 17 days between their preseason finale and regular season opener — on MNF to boot — the Broncos made a few tweaks to the practice squad.
"[I]t lays out differently because it’s Monday Night Football," Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "The normal first week would always be Monday bonus day, players off Tuesday, and then we get into our routine. This one sits a little differently, so we’ll adjust next week a little bit.”
So, with the practices open to media wrapped
up for the week, here are five quick takeaways following Wednesday's practice.
5 takeaways after Broncos practice
1. Sean Payton names Jarrett Stidham backup quarterback: It's not a surprise, but it's now official. Jarrett Stidham will serve as the team's backup quarterback behind Bo Nix this fall. After competing with Sam Ehlinger this summer, Stidham will retain the QB2 role that he has held since 2023. “The great thing is we’re able to bring three on game day," Payton said when asked about QB2 duties, initially side-stepping the question. The coach then confirmed that Stidham will be the primary backup in 2026. "Yes, he would be now, in fairness to the question," Payton said. "I knew someone was going to follow up with that."
2. Ex-Broncos wide receiver to visit Chiefs: After Denver did not offer him a spot on the practice squad, undrafted rookie receiver/returner Cam Ross set up a workout with Kansas City, according to the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson. The Broncos seemingly picked fellow UDFA Kolbe Katsis over Ross to provide returner depth on the practice squad. Denver also signed UDFA receiver Dane Key (safety Devon Key's younger brother) and veteran receiver Michael Bandy to the practice squad. Bandy is another reserve option for return duties.
3. Denver's not signing Taysom Hill (right now): Payton indicated last month that the Broncos would explore adding Hill, a free agent who is listed as a tight end but does everything from special teams to short-yardage runs. But after speaking with Hill at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony for Drew Brees in August, Payton suggested there's nothing imminent on the Hill front. “No updates, nothing," Payton said when asked about Hill on Wednesday. "I would let you know if we had anything. I talked to him at the Hall of Fame, but it was really just with a group of people. Nothing new there.” This doesn't mean there's no chance of Hill joining down the road, but it's not happening now.
4. Broncos OLB Que Robinson has stood out: Following practice, veteran tight end Evan Engram which player has made the biggest improvement on defense this summer. “There are dogs all over the defense for sure," Engram said. "We’ve had our days in camp, you guys have seen it going back and forth. The guy I’ve been super impressed with, and I’ve told him, is Que Robinson. He’s been a force all camp. There have been a couple of times I’ve been in pass protection, and he’s lined up across and I’ve had to bring it and lock in. He’s definitely growing as a player, and he has a bright future ahead of him for sure.” Robinson will get more reps while Jonathon Cooper is on the commissioner's exempt list. Nik Bonitto and Jonah Elliss are expected to start with Robinson and Dondrea Tillman rotating in behind them.
5. Denver expects Patrick Mahomes to be at 100%: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is returning from a knee injury, but Payton does not expect that to be a hindrance for KC. "I’m going to probably say the same for Bo [Nix] — you’ve seen enough things where he’s going to be 100%, and we’re preparing for him at his best," Payton said when asked about Mahomes. "We know how talented he is, and I’m sure he’s attacked the rehab the way Bo has with completely different injuries. That’s kind of our approach to it.”
And that's a wrap on Broncos practice until next week. Denver will be required to release an updated depth chart next week, and the team is expected to announce their 2026 team captains. The Broncos will also begin publishing official injury reports next week, so there's a lot on deck in the coming days.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton names Broncos' backup QB (plus 4 more takeaways after practice)
