ENGLEWOOD — The Denver Broncos held their first padded practice of the 2024 training camp on Monday, July 29. The day featured some intense action and revealed significant areas for improvement, particularly on the offensive side. With fans eagerly watching, the defense stole the show, led by standout performances from Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers.

Bo Nix didn’t look as comfortable with the offense as he looked previously, getting the QB1 reps with starters on Monday. The day started off on the wrong foot when Nix took a tumble during a hand-off from under center in team on air drills. The issues didn’t stop there. A couple false starts, snap counts, and problems lining up were some of the mistakes taking place.

“We had, you know, a handful of things that we have to get cleaned up…” said Sean Payton.

Defensive Dominance

From the outset, it was clear that the defense had the upper hand. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers, a key acquisition in the offseason, was a force to be reckoned with. His relentless pressure, combined with that of Zach Allen and the rest of the defensive line, disrupted the offense’s rhythm throughout the practice. Franklin-Myers emphasized the importance of setting the tone daily:

“Every single day is our time to shine… Our mindset is to go out there every day and set the tone.”

The defense’s aggressive playstyle, a staple of the new scheme, was evident. Franklin-Myers, who has experience in similar systems, noted the seamless transition and how it aligns with his strengths:

“They said attack, they say get off the ball and be disruptive and shoot, sign me up.”

Offensive Struggles

The offensive unit, with rookie Bo Nix taking QB1 reps, had a challenging day. Nix faced relentless pressure and struggled to find a rhythm, resulting in several false starts and a general lack of cohesion. The offense was repeatedly reset by the coaching staff, indicating a need for greater focus and execution.

Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey acknowledged the tough day but remained optimistic about the unit’s progress:

“It was great… But at the end of the day, you’re still got to execute plays, use the technique we’re being taught… It’s a great step forward for us, and we’re excited to keep going.”

McGlinchey also praised Nix’s maturity and adaptability, emphasizing his willingness to learn and improve:

“He’s a very competitive dude and takes a lot of pride in not screwing things up. He’s been impressive in our locker room, both as a player and a teammate.”

Despite the struggles, McGlinchey highlighted the importance of using these padded practices to fine-tune techniques and build chemistry, particularly with the offensive line’s recent additions.

Sean Payton’s Perspective

Head coach Sean Payton, while not overly concerned, noted the differences in performance between the units and the importance of learning from these experiences:

“You’re going to have a mistake. You’re going to have a minus play. The key is learning from it… and then bouncing back.”

Payton pointed out that the first padded practice often reveals a lot about players, both positively and negatively. He emphasized the need for balance in evaluation and growth on both sides of the ball:

“The thing you’ve got to balance as the head coach… is growth on both sides of the ball.”

Looking Ahead

As the Broncos continue their training camp, the focus will be on addressing the issues revealed in today’s practice. Payton mentioned the importance of reducing mental errors and increasing physical execution as they revisit installations and strategies:

“Repetition is the mother of learning… What you want to see are reduced mental errors.”

The first padded practice was a significant step in the Broncos’ preparation for the upcoming season. While the defense shined, the offense’s struggles highlighted areas that need improvement. As the team moves forward, the lessons learned from this practice will be crucial in shaping their approach and performance.

The Broncos will be back in pads on Tuesday, looking to build on the day’s experiences and continue their march toward the season opener.