ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos’ 2024 training camp has officially begun, with head coach Sean Payton addressing the media alongside newly acquired safety Brandon Jones and offensive guard Quinn Meinerz, who recently signed a contract extension. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, key insights and quotes from today’s press conference provide a glimpse into the team’s strategies and expectations.

Quarterback Rotation and Progress

Coach Payton opened up about the quarterback rotation during training camp, stating, “We’ll mix it up again. Obviously, it won’t stay that way for the long term. As we get started, we will keep you posted. Eventually, we will settle into the routine we want.” Payton emphasized the organic nature of this process, indicating that initial rotations will evolve as the camp progresses.

Payton also commented on QB Bo Nix’s progress, praising his quick learning abilities: “He is a quick study, so the progress in the playbook will be just like it will be for [QB] Zach [Wilson]. They both have been here for the same amount of time. All of these young players are studying pretty hard.”

Extension for Quinn Meinerz

The Broncos recently extended Quinn Meinerz’s contract, a move Payton explained was driven by the guard’s consistency and value to the team. “There were so many things that we felt strongly about. We are excited for him with his consistency and how he played at a position we value. It made sense for the player and the club,” said Payton.

Meinerz himself expressed gratitude for the seamless negotiation process facilitated by his agent. “I kind of knew that at the end of OTAs that there would be some type of communication happening with extensions. I really appreciate the way my agent did it. He was just like, ‘Hey, we’re going to start this thing, and I don’t want you to worry about it.’”

New Faces and Defensive Strength

Brandon Jones, newly acquired from the Miami Dolphins, spoke about the defense’s identity and his role within it. “I think it was kudos to them last year, just the way that they were able to overcome adversity early on in the season and ended up being one of the top-ranked defenses. Now being a part of that, it’s something that I think we’re easily able to grow on now this year.”

Jones highlighted the benefits of OTAs in building communication and confidence within the team. “It’s really a big benefit of having OTAs. You get to get around all of the guys, everybody ends up showing up. Football is football at the end of the day. There are different ways, terminologies are going to be different when you’re in a new defense.”

Youth and Expectations

Both Payton and the players acknowledged the advantages and challenges of having a younger team. Payton noted the need for smart installation and balancing experience with scheme, while Jones praised the team’s energy and eagerness to learn. “We’re young, everybody is full of juice, full of energy and just super fun,” Jones said. “I think when people lose sight of the fun aspect—because it is a job—but when you’re having fun is when you’re playing your best football.”

Meinerz also reflected on the team’s youth and the positive impact of veteran coaches. “For me, I’m obviously still a young player, but when you have a young team with a lot of veteran coaches, I think the hunger for us to learn and to mold as players to the system is really exciting and something that I’m continuing to look forward to.”

Looking Ahead

As training camp continues, the Broncos will focus on refining their strategies, evaluating player performance, and building team cohesion. With a mix of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers, the team is poised to tackle the challenges of the upcoming season with determination and optimism.

The next few days will see further practices and media availabilities, with the first open-to-the-public practice scheduled for Friday. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team shapes up under Payton’s guidance.

Open training camp begins on Friday, July 26, for fans who were able to get tickets. Stay tuned for more from analysis and coverage from Broncos Park.