The Denver Broncos offense and defense embraced building mental toughness on a scorching hot day in Dove Valley under scrimmage-like settings. As each practice passes, the Broncos QB competition feels like it’s getting closer to reaching it’s conclusion.

Denver Broncos Day 10 Training Camp Recap

Saturday morning was a scorcher as the Denver Broncos took the field for their 10th training camp practice. Head coach Sean Payton wanted to introduce a scrimmage-like setting going into Saturday’s practice that will be useful for the coaching staff to evaluate the progress of the team’s install through the first two weeks of practice.

When you practice for six straight days in the drought-like heat Denver’s been experiencing, combined with the physicality of practice and long days at the team facility — every player’s mental fortitude has been tested.

“Our game is [tough],” Payton said. “I think we’re training not just the physical tools and technique, but we’re training the mental toughness, and the grind and what’s necessary to be successful.”

Players responded well from what we observed from Saturday’s practice.

Broncos QB rotation nearing its conclusion?

Over the course of the last few practices, all signs point to the quarterback rotation or competition nearing its conclusion. The rotation for Saturday was interesting that saw things start with Jarrett Stidham getting the first looks in the first team period of the day, but Bo Nix would go on to get the first-team reps with the offense on their second and third overall series, with Stidham getting the first reps in the team’s final move-the-ball end of game scrimmage series.

Based on the overall body of work, it’s clear that the competition is between Nix and Stidham. As the team prepares for their first preseason game next week against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday’s practice and next week’s practices will be crucial.

Denver’s offense flashes in team periods, stalls out in end of game situationals

The Broncos offense was hot and cold through various moments of the afternoon. In Denver’s first overall team period of the day, Stidham had a nice throw to Marvin Mims who couldn’t haul in a diving catch on a well placed throw away from a defender, but ended his series with a 15-yard strike to Josh Reynolds.

Nix had pass completions Phillip Dorsett, Adam Trautman, David Sills, and Mims in his series. The highlight of that series for him was a 15-yard strike on third and 9 to Sills, who would have kept the drive alive in a real game scenario.

Broncos’ second offensive series highlights

On the second team series of the day, Nix took the first reps with the first-team offense. During that series, Javonte Williams rattled off a springy inside run for six or seven yards. Nix’s first pass attempt of the series fell incomplete as he looked to target Reynolds, but Damarri Mathis had tightly contested coverage. On the very next play, Denver’s defense sent pressure quickly at Nix, who stood in the pocket and hung in there, delivering a strike to Courtland Sutton underneath, who outran defenders for a big catch and run. Nix’s next play saw him throw a quick pass to Greg Dulcich who couldn’t haul it in, with the pass bouncing off of his hands and into the air, which almost led to an interception. The final two plays of the series for him saw Nix evade pressure but throw the ball away due to good coverage with no lanes to tuck it and run and a 15-yard strike to Lucas Krull.

Payton highlighted Nix’s patience and performance when under pressure or facing the blitz.

“I like it,” Payton said. “I’m for it. I think it’s a trait that when we watched [his tape], you see [a] pretty good pocket sense. He doesn’t take a lot of sacks. I think he knows when the play is over, [it’s] time to go. Then I think he can make plays when he’s going. I used to say this all the time, ‘The sack numbers are a reflection more on the quarterback than the offensive line.’ [Former Saints QB Drew] Brees was one of those guys. He was a tough sack. The ball came out [quickly], and I think Bo has traits like that.”

Stidham was next. The offense didn’t have much success on this series, with Reese Taylor blowing up a run by Tyler Badie on the outside. Stidham had one throw to Brandon Johnson, but the pass was a little behind him and Johnson tried to adjust his body to haul it in, but it popped up into the air for a near interception. On his final play, Stidham uncorked a beautiful throw deep down the field to Troy Franklin who got behind Quinton Newsome, but the rookie wideout dropped it.

Broncos third offensive series highlights

The Broncos’ third offensive series of the day saw Nix get the first reps once again with the first-team unit. This series was more of a red zone emphasis for the team in a move-the-ball setting.

Nix’s first attempt saw him scramble for five or so yards due to the pass coverage holding up. Denver attempted to run it with Williams, but it was sniffed out by Jonathon Cooper who kept contain. Nix then found Samaje Perine for a quick hitting pass out of the backfield, but it was stuffed for a loss by Ja’Quan McMillian who read the play perfectly.

Now on the goal line, Perine rattled off a five-yard gain with the ball being placed on the 10-yard line. On second and goal, Nix attempted to find Reynolds in the end zone, but Mathis was blanketing him in coverage from what looked like a good fundamental play. Mathis didn’t get there early from our observation, got into Reynolds’ hip pocket to get in phase, bringing his ballside hand forward to knock it away, but the ref signaled pass interference. Nix’s final play of the series was a third-and-goal scenario, where he evaded pressure from Jonathon Cooper, who was barreling his way toward the rookie quarterback and found Sutton on a scramble drill for a TD to end his series.

Stidham’s series also saw some successful looks. He connected with Krull for a moderate gain on the first play, followed by a short run for Jaleel McLaughlin, who was swarmed by Broncos defenders. Stidham looked to McLaughlin out of the backfield on the next play, but Reese Taylor made a terrific play that led to a tackle for a loss. Now in a goal-line situation, Audric Estime picked up some good yards up the left sideline, lowering his shoulder into a defender. On second and goal, Stidham looked to connect with Trautman in the end zone, but the pass was broken up by Devon Key, who had tight coverage. Stidham’s series ended with him connecting with Michael Bandy for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a holding call on undrafted rookie tackle Frank Crum.

Offense sputters in an end-of-game scenario

After practicing end-of-half scenarios in Friday’s practice, the Broncos offense and defense practiced end-of-game scenarios where they needed to score with under a minute left down 6-0. Stidham got the first-team reps, but the offense couldn’t get anything going. The only highlight of that series saw Stidham find Mims for a 23-yard completion on fourth and 18 to keep the drive alive, but Denver ultimately ran out of time and couldn’t score.

Nix’s series didn’t have much success either offensively, as the defense came up big. He attempted to connect with Lil’Jordan Humphrey, but the pass was dropped. He had another pass fall incomplete on a drop on third down, and his final pass attempt of the day fell incomplete, intended for Phillip Dorsett, but the pass was knocked away incomplete.

Overall, practice saw a handful of drops by receivers that didn’t help out either of the QBs during the day, but the work put saw promising steps forward as the team prepares for their first preseason game. With games approaching and the current rotation focused on Nix and Stidham, it feels like the competition’s conclusion could be coming very soon.