The Denver Broncos were back on the practice field on Monday for another training camp practice, with game week upon them. Despite having an opponent this week, the Broncos’ focus still remains on themselves as they prepare to field the best team possible come the regular season.
Denver Broncos preparing for preseason showdown vs. 49ers
As the Broncos continue to push through the hot, dog days of summer training camp, their focus remains on themselves despite the fact that they’ve got a preseason game this Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Denver wrapped up Monday’s practice on a day where players were in helmets, jerseys, and shorts with some position groups wearing shells. After Saturday’s productive scrimmage, the approach this week might be lighter, and here’s why.
The Denver Broncos offense had themselves a good day. @CodyRoarkNFL breaks down
• Bo Nix’s day
• Riley Moss having a strong camp
• Nobody cares about practice INTs pic.twitter.com/AIJwx1mUCq— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) August 4, 2025
The Broncos will travel to Santa Clara on Wednesday night before they scrimmage against San Francisco on Thursday for a joint practice. Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan have already communicated on the structure of the practice, but it’s likely that Thursday’s joint practice will be the most physical practice of the week.
“We travel Wednesday night,” Payton said. “We’ll probably meet tomorrow night to discuss the roles. I’ll speak with [49ers Head Coach] Kyle [Shanahan] between now and then. We’ve already got the format of the practice laid out. We’ve already got the itinerary laid out until next Tuesday.”
With the NFL leaning towards adding another regular season game down the road, that would likely eliminate one preseason game from the mix, which makes player evaluation more challenging for coaching staffs.
“I think we try to pick up some of these joint practices to supplement what we had before,” Payton said. “To try to get those reps. Like I said, it won’t be long before it’s two, and so then it falls on us. We have to evaluate them, and I think again, it gets back to practicing with other teams.”
That’s why Denver is practicing with San Francisco this week and will host the Arizona Cardinals next week. A handful of younger players will get more reps and more opportunities to showcase a full body of work, which will eventually be the best aids for coaches and organizations to adapt to upcoming changes in added/removed games.
Broncos offense turns in solid day vs. defense
The ongoing battles between Bo Nix and the Broncos offense against Vance Joseph’s elite-level defense are the definition of iron sharpening iron.
Nix gets to work against the Broncos’ league-leading pass rush led by Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, and Jonathon Cooper, while having to face off against Dre Greenlaw at linebacker, Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Patrick Surtain, and Riley Moss in the secondary.
Over the last few days, Nix has had an interception in every practice, but that’s not something to be worried about. It’s practice. What we’ve seen from Nix is that he’s not afraid to test Surtain, avoid Bonitto and Allen in pass rush lanes, attack the middle of the field, and more.
Last year, as a rookie in camp, Nix played it safe early on as he was trying to get his feet wet. Now, as an established starter, he’s working on continuing to improve his game by attacking every blade of grass. Interceptions will occur, as will touchdowns. That’s part of the growth process, and Payton certainly doesn’t care about interceptions as much as social media does.
“Look, we’re charting picks here like hurricanes, so he [QB Bo Nix] is doing fine,” Payton said.
Let’s talk about Nix’s play in Monday’s team periods.
Bo Nix, Broncos offense during three team periods
In four plays during the first team period, J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey had a pair of runs, followed by two pass attempts by Nix.
Justin Strnad made an incredible play, snagging one of Nix’s throws across the middle of the field with one hand, but it wouldn’t have counted in a real simulated game after the defense jumped offsides. His second pass to Lucas Krull fell incomplete as pressure forced him wide near the sideline.
In the second team period, Nix had a crisp showing, finding Krull across the middle for a 20+ yard gain with a linebacker trailing in coverage. He followed it up with a connection to Evan Engram for a first down. On the third play, Nix attempted a quick hit to Courtland Sutton, but Nik Bonitto blew through the line of scrimmage and nearly had an incredibly athletic interception, but it fell to the ground.
During Denver’s third and final team period, which had an emphasis on moving the ball before halftime in a two-minute scenario, Nix got the Broncos offense into field goal range. He found Sutton for an eight-yard gain, setting up a 3rd and 2, which saw him find Dobbins out of the backfield for three yards.
On the next play, Zach Allen and Bonitto blew up a run inside to Dobbins, but Nix and the offense fired back with Bo completing a 15-yard pass to Troy Franklin for a first down. With the simulated clock winding down, Dondrea Tillman came off the right side with good pressure, but Nix stood in the pocket, firm and patient, and fired a shot to Sutton for a 20+ yard gain, despite Riley Moss being tight on the hip of Denver’s top receiver.
This eventually set up Wil Lutz to nail a field goal, leading to a productive day for Denver’s offense.
Broncos news and notes
- Alex Singleton (finger) was on the field in full pads once again, but did not participate in any team or position drills just yet.
- Fullback Michael Burton was back on the field after missing Saturday’s practice.
- Linebacker Dre Greenlaw was observing practice once again as the team continues to be smart with bringing him along after a quad scare last week.
- Other standouts:
- Sam Ehlinger continues to impress with the third-team offense, finding Courtney Jackson downfield for a beautiful long-ball touchdown.
- Jarrett Stidham is also having a strong camp, finding Lucas Krull, Evan Engram, and Pat Bryant for big plays.
- Second-year running back Blake Watson continues to have an impressive camp, showcasing a couple of big runs on Monday.
- Safety Devon Key had an interception of Bo Nix during 7-on-7.
- Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen continue to ramp up pressure in the pass rush department.
Denver will practice once more on Tuesday before they travel to Santa Clara on Wednesday.