Broncos Camp's Last Practice Reveals What's in Store For Russell Wilson
Englewood, CO — For the final time this summer, Denver Broncos fans filled the 3,000-person limit at Centura Health Training Center to watch training camp practice on Thursday morning.
The Broncos travel to play the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in their second preseason matchup of the summer. Game 2 will be followed by Denver's fourth and final week of training camp, which will be punctuated by the last exhibition contest of the summer vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams will be in town next week for joint practices, but they'll be closed to the public with select sponsorship and media invited to attend before the preseason finale.
The Sean Payton era is well underway in Denver, with many fans excited for the Broncos' potential to right some of the major wrongs that have become habitual for approximately a decade. Thursday's practice was focused on installation and was a lighter day emphasizing the detail-oriented game plans that will be executed in less than 48 hours against the Niners.
This was by far the most challenging training camp I’ve covered due to the strict media policies that Payton has implemented to align with his vision for sustainable success. There were good days, bad days, but most importantly, all the camp practices were significant in their own right.
No longer can we poke fun at the Broncos for not working hard or dogging it. It's an unfinished product, but I lean toward optimism based on the competitive nature of this 2023 Broncos squad.
Here are some of my favorite camp standouts that deserve recognition as training camp wraps up in the Mile High City.
Offensive Player of Camp: Russell Wilson | QB
The fan base remains divided when it comes to Wilson’s training camp and preseason thus far. Some folks don’t have the patience for Payton’s offensive kinks to be worked out and have had enough of the annual ‘this is our year’ mantra that has been regurgitated ad nauseum for years.
Others recognize camp practices and preseason reps for what they are — learning opportunities where core fundamentals are implemented so that the team is firing on all cylinders come the regular season.
Based on what I've seen for three weeks this summer, I'm in the camp of optimism when it comes to projecting Wilson's level of play. Sure, he came into camp looking great, having dropped some excess body weight, but when has that ever been celebrated? What’s impressed me the most about Wilson this camp compared to last year is that he’s wholeheartedly embraced being uncomfortable.
Every day at practice, Coach Payton continues to put Wilson in less-than-ideal circumstances with the hopes of emulating live-bullet scenarios in the regular season. While it’s not particularly fun to report on Wilson facing a host of pass rushers from either side or a delayed blitz, I understand why Payton is making the workdays difficult for Wilson and the starting offense.
Instead of the routes being run on air with receivers not facing defensive backs like last year, Russ has faced adversity head-on in one-on-one drills and 7-on-7 team periods, finding success and moments of mistakes in both practice settings. The former Super Bowl-winning quarterback has also been one of the hardest workers in camp, never letting a moment go to waste, and has proven he can be one of the guys.
Russ isn’t washed, folks.
His arm talent demonstrates improved mechanics with a heavy emphasis on a quick release with fast decision-making. Improved footwork in his three-step drops, specifically, has also revealed a much more comfortable QB who is sliding and stepping up into the pocket as opposed to scrambling outside of his offensive tackles.
Wilson has connected with wideout Courtland Sutton on some monster go-routes over All-Pro Patrick Surtain II this camp, which has shown confidence and competitive fire against arguably the league’s best cornerback. Wilson has also cemented chemistry with Jerry Jeudy, who's poised for a hell of a season as the prioritized first-read in Payton’s offense.
As we saw in preseason Game 1 vs. the Arizona Cardinals, Wilson and Jeudy are finally on the same page regarding the play call, expectations, and the results, which have been impacting plays with first downs and touchdowns this summer.
I’m not suggesting that everything about the Broncos' starting offense is sunshine and rainbows, nor will I launch a premature prediction on how 2023 will shake out before preseason action concludes. But I’ll definitively stick my flag in the ground by declaring that Wilson’s offseason work under Payton's watchful eye will make for a fun, competitive, and entertaining brand of football in 2023.
Most Valuable Player: Zach Allen | DL
When you’re the new guy at work, all eyes are on you. Coworkers and bosses observe how the newest employee works and assimilates into the culture, hoping it’s a good fit for the associate and employer.
Allen hasn’t just made a good impression on his teammates and coaches; he’s been monumental in creating a new culture in Denver’s locker room. This past spring, he signed a three-year, $45.75 million contract that replaced Dre’Mont Jones, who left the Broncos to sign with the Seattle Seahawks last offseason.
Many fans wondered whether Allen would be as productive and significant as the defensive linemen who spurned Broncos Country when he left town. But all is fair in love and war, and the NFL is a tireless battle machine, as is No. 99.
From day one of camp, the 6-foot-4, 281-pounder from Boston College has been running rampant on the line of scrimmage. Allen utilizes a variety of pass-rushing moves from multiple positions on the D-line, whether that be inside, outside, or on the perimeter, to reach the QB.
Allen has ruined the offense’s day multiple times this summer. His run defense also clogs the lane, which allows him to penetrate gaps and meet ball-carriers in the backfield for a huge loss.
Allen has been a bully at Broncos training camp and for all the right reasons. He’s a no-nonsense, aggressive defender that played a punishing and physical brand of football every day that this team has practiced.
Allen's presence and level of play have been so effective, I’ve speculated that perhaps some of the coaching staff asked him to tone it back so the offense could get some quality looks. The fifth-year veteran plays with high intelligence and control and will undoubtedly become a fan-favorite this season. Get used to seeing the No. 99 jersey looming over QBs this fall.
Most Improved Player: Nik Bonitto | OLB
The old saying 'better late than never' couldn’t be truer for Bonitto, who has been a training camp darling this summer. The 23-year-old was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft (No. 64) and hopes to usher in a new breed of pass rusher post-Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
Despite playing in 15 games last season as a rookie, Bonitto only logged one start and recorded 14 tackles (six solo), one tackle for a loss, three QB hits, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, leaving many fans hungry for more production.
The former Oklahoma standout clearly bought into Payton’s offseason conditioning program as Bonitto came into camp with some healthy weight and a significantly improved level of strength and conditioning. Paired with the return of Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator, Bonitto has been coached to play with a sharp level of bend and freedom when it comes to beating heavier and much bigger offensive tackles on both edges of the line of scrimmage.
While Bonitto exited the game against the Cardinals with a reported hip injury, seeing him back on the field during the last two days of practice was a relief. My camp notebook is littered with No. 42 notes, from absolutely annihilating first-team offensive linemen in one-on-ones to sealing the edge in run defense on 9-on-7 drills.
But where Bonitto has made the most of his offseason film study training is during team period, as he continually raised hell for starting left tackle Garett Bolles. Using various pass-rushing techniques, including swim, rip, bull rush, and spin moves, Bonitto has been Wilson's face all summer and has also recorded some tipped passes and tackles for a loss in the backfield.
At times, I've had to ask myself, 'Is that the same No. 42 as last year?'
The number on the jersey is the same, but the player underneath the helmet is not as Bonitto deserves the right to be named the most improved player of training camp, and the timing couldn’t be better for the Broncos. If this team is poised to finally bring the Kansas City Chiefs' reign of dominance to an end, it’ll be in part because Patrick Mahomes is under duress from Bonitto and his fellow pass rushers.
I am not suggesting that Bonitto is the second coming of Von Miller or Hall-of-Famer DeMarcus Ware. Instead, I’m foreshadowing a significant season with exciting sacks, stuffed runs, and even a few turnovers for the second-year player who's been a training camp stud all of camp.
Bonitto’s been the leader of the new pass-rushing posse in Denver.
Broncos Camp Notes & Buzz
- TE Greg Dulcich has been heavily involved with starting offense alongside Adam Troutman. There could be potential to utilize Dulcich as a slot receiver, leaving Troutman and Chris Manhertz as supplemental blockers.
- RB room solidified with Javonte Williams as the starter, Samaje Perine as the backup, and Jaleel McLaughlin as the rotation back. Tony Jones Jr and Tyler Badie are fighting for a roster spot.
- Undrafted rookie Taylor Grimes has been the most consistent receiver at camp and has earned reps with backups and special teams. He's likely to make this team, or else he’ll be claimed on waivers.
- Rookie LB Drew Sanders could see early action based on his high level of play in camp and complementary style to Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton.
- S Kareem Jackson is likely to make this team after the injury-riddled defensive backs room, including dings to Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke.
- Edge defenders Randy Gregory and Jonathon Cooper have had an ideal, consistent camp replete with sacks and pass deflections.
- K Brett Maher hasn’t locked down a starting job. Payton could claim another kicker off waivers prior to the regular season.
- Special teams punt/kick return jobs are still underway, with Marvin Mims, Jr., Montrell Washington, and Kendall Hinton vying for a seat at the table.
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