Broncos S Caden Sterns Sounds Off on Kareem Jackson's Return

Heading into 2023, the expectation around Denver Broncos HQ was that third-year safety Caden Sterns had been earmarked to start next to Justin Simmons in the defensive backfield. Then, after he languished on the free-agent market for months, the Broncos re-signed 35-year-old veteran safety Kareem Jackson.

The decision to bring Jackson back came in the aftermath of the 2023 NFL draft. Immediately, a wet blanket of sorts was thrown on the excitement for Sterns entering Year 3.

However, while rumors about a reduced role for Jackson this year abound, if the Broncos plan on starting Sterns, it would be news to him. And by the way, he's happy Jackson was brought back.

"I can’t answer what the move is or isn’t going to be," Sterns told 9NEWS' Mike Klis. "But I will say first and foremost I’m glad they brought Uncle Jack back. Just the experience and tone-setting mentality he brings to the team is definitely needed. He’s like an advisor, a big brother to me."

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And just in case local media hope to pit Sterns in a 'Caden vs. Kareem' head-to-head competition this summer, the young safety won't be buying into such a trope. That's certainly not his "mindset."

"Not necessarily the mindset of one person as once you come into this league, every day there’s competition," Sterns told Klis. "Somebody’s always out there trying to take your job or whatever that looks like. For me, it’s about becoming the best player I can be and with that I’ll be OK."

Regardless of his mindset, before Sterns can vanquish anyone in training camp, he's got to have his health. Remember, as exciting as he is, the young safety missed most of last season with a hip injury that had been plaguing him since college.

Yet, Sterns' outlook continues to burn bright because he was a full participant in 7-on-7 and 'some' 11-on-11 team drills at Broncos OTAs last week. As Klis wrote, Sterns is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from hip surgery, much like young running back Javonte Williams.

"It’s a shout out to the training staff and making sure I’m on my Ps and Qs in the recovery run," Sterns told Klis. "Still progressing and getting there but it feels good to be back out there on the field."

Since the Broncos began the offseason training program, Sterns has "looked good," according to Simmons. Arriving in Denver as a 2021 fifth-round pick, Sterns has appeared in 20 games with five career starts, totaling four interceptions and nine pass break-ups, to go along with 49 tackles.

One element that separates Sterns from Jackson at this point in their respective careers is his propensity for the ball. And considering that Denver finished 14th in takeaways last year, Sterns' skill set is one that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will look to capitalize on in 2023.

With JL Skinner arriving as a sixth-round draft pick this year, along with the return of Jackson, P.J. Locke, and Essang Bassey, there will be no shortage of safeties vying for that starting job next to Simmons. Throw in 2022 late-rounder Delarrin Turner-Yell, and Sterns has his work cut out for him.

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