The second-year tight end was a two-way scout team player last year.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Caleb Lohner started coming on last year, long before head coach Sean Payton gave him a shout out Saturday following the Broncos’ second rookie minicamp practice.

Remember when the Broncos elevated Lohner from their practice squad for their second-round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills? Turns out, it was financial reward for staying put after not one, but two teams tried to sign him off the Broncos’ practice squad late last season and on to their 53-man rosters. Lohner wasn’t activated to play in the game against the Bills – he has yet to make his NFL debut which is why he was eligible to participate in his second rookie minicamp this weekend.



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But he could have become ineligible for rookie ball had he accepted the chance to play for another team in the final weeks of last season. His agent, Jack Tabb, is a former tight end who spent a season on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in 2015 when Payton was the coach there. Tabb recommended his client stay put.

“It was in the works but I told them don’t even bother,’’ Lohner said to 9NEWS. “Jack was the one who started it all (the decision to stay). I want to be here. You’ve got a veteran coach here (in Sean Payton). I was in his offensive system for almost a full year. Plus, I didn’t want to leave a team that was going for the Super Bowl and is going for the Super Bowl. Everyone in here all have the same goal. Win the Super Bowl. That’s what you play for. I didn’t want to leave that.”

There had been speculation, falsely, that Lohner, a seventh-round draft pick out of Utah last year even though he spent the bulk of his college career playing basketball, was in trouble after the Broncos drafted two more tight ends three weeks ago – Justin Joly in the fifth round and Dallen Bentley in the seventh.

“I didn’t have a reaction,’’ Lohner said. “Whoever’s in our room, we want to make each other better. We all want to push each other. That’s their role upstairs. Our role is to come out every day and play and prepare and do what we can to help the team.”

When Payton was asked Saturday who had impressed him two days into rookie minicamp, he came up with a player entering his second season.

“I’ll tell you who stood out, Caleb,’’ Payton said. “He looks entirely different. Now he was here in this camp a year ago as a draft pick. But he stood out.”

Here’s another fun fact about Lohner: He was a two-way scout team player last year. He played tight end on offense; outside linebacker on defense during the practice week. He will be a full-time tight end going forward.

“I helped VJ a couple times with certain personnel stuff, there were a couple injuries,’’ Lohner said about defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. “Had a good time doing it. It’s practice but at the end of the day I think I’m going to stick with tight end.”

Remember, as a former basketball player, Lohner is still new to the sport of football. Practicing on the defensive side of the ball gives him a better idea how the other side defends. It’s an education that should help him as he continues to progress as a tight end.

He worked this offseason with former Green Bay Packer receiver great Donald Driver on pass catching and also on his blocking. Lohner has a chance to surprise in year two.

“I think I’ve come a long way,’’ Lohner said. “Being in the system, being around the vets, seeing how things go has helped me a lot. Kind of having a confidence and comfortability in how things operate. Not being crazy and kind of confused how the playbook is. Super grateful to be part of an organization with coaches who believe in me and excited to do what I can to help this team win.”