{"id":32730,"date":"2025-07-24T02:59:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T02:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/32730\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T02:59:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T02:59:09","slug":"2025-broncos-training-camp-acclimation-day-1-news-and-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/32730\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Broncos Training Camp: Acclimation Day 1 News and Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today was the first of two acclimation periods before the real thing kicks off on Friday with fans being allowed in attendance. While there were no fans, the local media were present, but they could not live tweet because the offseason rules were still in place. With all that said, we do have news, updates, quotes, and more!<\/p>\n

Day one of Broncos camp was one of the shorter practices of training camp due to it being a \u201cramp-up day,\u201d according to Head Coach Sean Payton. They didn\u2019t have pads, likely were not full speed the entire time, and were focusing on getting acclimated to being back on the practice field again. They have another acclimation practice tomorrow that will have the offseason reporting rules still in effect, but things will get back to normal on Friday when fans arrive and the reporting limitations are softened. <\/p>\n

With that said, we do still have some news and notes to cover from Day 1 of Broncos Camp. <\/p>\n

Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, and P.J. Locke all were full participants during today\u2019s practice<\/p>\n

One of the more significant updates from today\u2019s practice was that linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton, along with safety P.J. Locke, were all full participants during today\u2019s practice. All three players are coming off significant injuries and\/or surgery, and had some question marks heading into camp, so it\u2019s great to see all three on the practice field without any limitations. <\/p>\n

Everybody practicing for Broncos but AT Perry on PUP list. Greenlaw, Singleton and Locke full gos. Barron taking some first team snaps at outside corner.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Broncos signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw in free agency to improve their linebacker room this past offseason. When healthy, Greenlaw is one of the top linebackers in the NFL, but he is coming off an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the vast majority of the 2024 season. He did not practice all offseason with the Broncos but avoided the PUP list and was on the field today with his teammates. <\/p>\n

After practice, Head Coach Sean Payton told reporters that Greenlaw looked \u201cgood\u201d <\/a>today, which is great to hear. If healthy, Greenlaw will be a significant upgrade and addition to this Broncos defense that was already a top-ranked unit last season.<\/p>\n

Safety P.J. Locke was a full-go today after undergoing spinal fusion surgery soon after the Broncos’ playoff loss to the Bills. There were some concerns about his health and ability to continue his career, but Payton told reporters that the veteran safety \u201cis healthy\u201d<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Veteran linebacker Alex Singleton was also a full-go today after suffering a torn ACL early last season. He did return in a limited fashion during the offseason, but it is still good to see him out there healthy on day one of Broncos camp. He will pair with Dre Greenlaw and look to improve an area of the Broncos defense that was a weakness last season. <\/p>\n

Now, Payton did caution reporters that they are going to ease all three veterans through the next month of practices. There will be days when they do not practice as they focus on their \u201cload management\u201d during camp, as they look to avoid new or recurring injuries with these players. <\/p>\n

\u201cNow these players we\u2019re discussing, whether it\u2019s Dre or any of these guys coming back off of injury, we\u2019re going to monitor the snaps. We\u2019re going to have a calendar where some days they\u2019re not going to practice. I\u2019m telling you now because you\u2019ll ask me then. It\u2019s three groups all the time. It\u2019s the recently injured, it\u2019s the injury history and then it\u2019s the veteran group of players that will put together a little bit of a load management program. I don\u2019t want to call it that, but it\u2019s us looking ahead over the next four weeks and getting ahead of the practice schedule. Those guys would all fall into that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Payton has done this in the previous two training camps, and it has worked out for them, and it makes sense. Greenlaw and Singleton are going to be two key starters while Locke figures to be a key reserve. There\u2019s no need to rush them back right now. Take your time and ease them back in and get them ready for week 1 vs. the Titans. <\/p>\n

QB Bo Nix spent 4 or 5 days with Drew Brees during the offseason<\/p>\n

The big news from day one of Broncos Camp was that Bo Nix spent time with former Saints quarterback and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees this offseason. Sean Payton dropped that nugget after today\u2019s practice as well as mentioning he worked out with the \u201cThrowing Whisperer\u201d, Tom House.<\/p>\n

Sean Payton says it was Bo Nix\u2019s idea to go visit Drew Brees in the offseason, and loved that Bo went and did that:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for\u201d pic.twitter.com\/zQqT6qu3PT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Payton told reporters that this was Nix\u2019s idea and wanted to pick the brain of an all-time great who knows Payton\u2019s system better than anyone else. Payton added that Nix and Brees dived into the offense and how Brees approached his schedule and routine throughout the days and weeks of the regular season.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrew lives in San Diego and he spent some time going there. [It was about] the schedule and wanting to know more about the offense. I don\u2019t even know when he went but I just know he went. It was him doing more research at the position.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brees wasn\u2019t the only person Nix met with this offseason; he also met with former MLB pitching coach Tom House. He is a well-known throwing expert who has worked with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Nolan Ryan, and others throughout his career<\/a>. House has the nickname \u201cThrowing Whisperer\u201d <\/a>and was likely recommended to Nix by Brees due to the two being neighbors at one point and Brees working out with him throughout his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s amazing. He\u2019s a baseball guy. It\u2019s fascinating and he\u2019s real smart. He caught [Pro Baseball Hall of Famer] Hank Aaron\u2019s record-breaking home run\u2014literally caught it in the bullpen. He\u2019s a baseball guy that really has done a great job with a lot of throwers\u2014that\u2019s the best way to describe him\u2014whether it\u2019s baseball motion or football motion. Those opportunities we get to have a lunch, or a sit and visit are pretty special for me. He\u2019s pretty sharp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only did Nix get to pick Brees\u2019s brain for multiple days, but he also worked with his throwing expert this offseason. It remains to be seen how much of this will help Nix moving forward, but you love to see him putting in the work and reaching out to all-time greats looking to be better.<\/p>\n

Like Sean Payton said, that\u2019s what you are looking for.<\/p>\n

Injury Report
\nWR A.T. Perry, who is on the PUP, was the only Broncos player sidelined during today\u2019s practice, and no new injuries were reported coming out of the practice.
\nNews and Notes<\/p>\n

The highlight of today\u2019s practice, according to The Denver Post’s Luca Evans, was Bo Nix throwing a dime up the seam to TE Adam Trautman. – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Sean Payton called veteran RB J.K. Dobbins a \u201cquick study,\u201d and he was the first running back up in team drills today. – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

WR Courtland Sutton was present at practice but did not do much outside of drills – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

When the topic of contract extensions was brought up, Sean Payton told reporters that \u201cThey\u2019re all being worked on,\u201d and that it is something they would never really discuss with the media publicly anyway. He did say there has been \u201cgood communication,\u201d and he is just going to leave it at that. – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw\u2019s leg talent is \u201cexciting,\u201d according to Head Coach Sean Payton. – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Edge rusher Dondrea Tillman was a standout player during today\u2019s practice and overwhelmed swing tackle Matt Peart multiple times. – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Rookie corner Jahdae Barron was getting first-team reps at CB during today\u2019s practice – Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Tweets From Camp<\/p>\n

Sean Payton embraces the higher expectations outside the building.<\/p>\n

He was confident in the team last year too even when the outside wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not a finished product\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Sean Payton said vocalizing goals on winning teams — Super Bowl, etc. — “has to be a comfortable topic.”<\/p>\n

“You can’t be afraid of talking about the endgame. That’s got to be a comfortable subject. And then you’ve got to be comfortable saying, ‘Look, this is what’s required.'”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Notable Quotes<\/p>\n

Head Coach Sean Payton on the focus for the first couple of days of practice<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re getting back into it. They left in good shape. The five weeks between when we were last here and now, these guys all do a good job of training, whether they\u2019re here local or somewhere else. But the installation\u2014I just mentioned to them\u2014is a process. We\u2019re going to have four straight days of installation and then when the pads come on, we\u2019ll be back with the same installation. So it\u2019s retaining, getting a chance to repeat and put the mistakes behind you. So there are a number of things. Getting back into wearing your football shoes on the grass and moving around. I thought today was a good start. We weren\u2019t long out there. It\u2019s building it up. Before\u2014I mean years ago\u2014you\u2019d have your report day and that afternoon, there\u2019d be a conditioning test. It\u2019s just changed a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Head Coach Sean Payton on his experience of building a program and sustaining success<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good question. So the startup part, I\u2019ve only done one other time. In other words, I\u2019ve experienced it, and yet it\u2019s not like you get multiple opportunities. Things have to be in place for that to be successful. In other words, you can be hindered or you can be affected in a negative manner if things aren\u2019t in place and there\u2019s not a willingness to make a change. Fortunately here, that wasn\u2019t the case. [That\u2019s] one of the important things about this job. Then I would say that sustains success. We haven\u2019t looked at\u2014last year, for instance, is obvious. We made progress, but getting to where we want to be and then staying there, I think would probably be\u2014it would depend on the organization. The first part of your question you asked in some places is impossible. Then that\u2019s not a good deal, that\u2019s a hard one. But if you\u2019re at the right place, I think the latter becomes mentally more challenging and keeping an edge with your team. Then over a period of time, you recycle a roster. That can happen. I saw that happen, so I think that can be a little bit more challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n

Head Coach Sean Payton on whether having different outside expectations from last year to this year changes his approach to the team<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it does a little and in a good way. It\u2019s what you want. In other words, there are so many different ways it\u2019s met. You\u2019re playing on a national stage more and there might be more unique travel, but all that\u2019s what we\u2019re wanting. We\u2019re not a finished product by any means. There are a lot of parallels to that building across the way here. We\u2019re still a work in progress. It\u2019s not the national expectations. There was a belief a year ago by many of us internally that we had a team that could compete certainly for an opportunity in the division and for an opportunity to get into the playoffs. Those standards can\u2019t be just high for the coaches. The whole group needs to see the opportunity and where we can go. When the whole thing started two years ago, this is kind of where we were hoping to be going into year three, and it\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Head Coach Sean Payton on P Jeremy Crawshaw<\/p>\n

\u201cWell we just finished 50 minutes of practice so it\u2019s hard to have early impressions… I would say it\u2019s kind of like right now the fireworks. There are some booms and then every once in a while, there\u2019s one of those we have to work on the ones that just go right. We have to get those handled. He certainly has the leg talent, you can see that. It\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Head Coach Sean Payton on improving his own preparation coming out of the offseason<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely. It\u2019s studying other\u2019s successful offenses. It\u2019s constantly looking at the change and the evolution. It might even be college tape. The call sheet from my first year as a head coach in 2006 to where it\u2019s at\u2026 There\u2019s a constant change and evolution relative to scheme and your own personnel. That\u2019s just one small area of it. I would say from a practice standpoint, how are we more efficient than maybe we would\u2019ve been. I think as a teacher, if you\u2019re not evolving and changing year-to-year because obviously there are things we\u2019re learning that we didn\u2019t know then, then you\u2019re going backwards. I would definitely say yes to that. That\u2019s the thing that keeps you up. There are certain things that will always be in place. You walk the field to make sure it\u2019s clear and there are no injury risks for the players. There are certain staples as a coach that can\u2019t ever change or be compromised. The way we meet is entirely different, there\u2019s music and video. There was a time when there was just an acid tape on an overhead projector. All of that. The presentation is different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Head Coach Sean Payton on developing team goals<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has to be a comfortable topic, but we\u2019re in such a league where this is a journey. Briefly yesterday, I outlined a few things that are coming, but it starts more with the division and seeding. We have to start faster than we have the last two [seasons[. You try to point at the nearest goal and some of these ones that are more visible, but you can\u2019t be afraid of talking about the end game. That has to be a comfortable subject. And then you have to be comfortable saying, \u2018This is what\u2019s required.\u2019 You don\u2019t get a best-of-7. You start with some of the objectives that are a little bit more clearly visible in the short term.\u201d<\/p>\n