The Denver Broncos have been a top-tier team in the NFL in recent memory, making it to two Super Bowls and winning one in the past four seasons. After a disappointing 2016 campaign where the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010, there is no lack of motivation going into training camp.
At the team’s media BBQ on Wednesday, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas spoke to the level of motivation he sees around the team.
“They’re super motivated. First off, there are guys who are excited to learn a new system and a different system that we didn’t have last year. Everybody is already doubting us, so there’s excited about that as well. So, we’re bringing the fire and just trying to be the best we can,” Thomas explained.
According to the eighth-year wide receiver, the motivation – at least for him personally – comes from exactly where anyone would expect: Missing the playoffs.
“My motivation stems from last year when we didn’t make the playoffs. We don’t listen to what people say. Everybody is going to say what they want to say. It’s about us getting better than we were last year,” Thomas told media members. “That’s my second time not making the playoffs since I’ve been a Bronco and this is my eighth year. We want to get back to where we were and show what we can do.”
Going into any season, the team’s goal is to win the Super Bowl. To do that this year the Broncos are going to need to beat out the reigning champion New England Patriots, who revamped their own offense in the off season. While some see a major talent gap between the Broncos and Patriots, Thomas would disagree.
“I don’t think there’s a big gap at all. It’s about just going out and putting up and playing as a group, together. A lot of factors come with that, but I don’t think it’s a big gap at all,” the five-time Pro Bowl wideout said.
As training camp gets underway in Denver the goal is clear and the motivation is plentiful: The Denver Broncos are ready to get back into the postseason.