The Denver Broncos held their final practice for Week 2 of OTAs on Thursday ahead of mandatory minicamp next week, and we got to watch as Sean Payton was rewarded with a five-year extension.

Denver Broncos put finishing touches on Week 2 of OTAs + standouts

Thursday’s OTA practice sets the stage for next week’s minicamp, where Bo Nix will be back on the football field in some participatory fashion. Nix was present and observing practice on Thursday in a ballcap and shorts, but was a non-participant as Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger shared offensive snaps once again.

Prior to practice, Nix did some walkthrough items with the team, which sets things up for him to be throwing in individual and group work next week as an anticipated limited participant, which means we won’t likely see him throw during 7-on-7 or team next week.

Keep in mind that these practices feature no pads or contact, which makes certain positions and groups hard to evaluate.

Ehlinger stood out for the second consecutive Thursday we’ve had a chance to observe, and was sharp most of the afternoon, and wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger on attacking downfield.

In 7-on-7, Ehlinger found Evan Engram for a decent gain, then he fired a shot down the sideline to undrafted rookie wide receiver Dane Key, the brother of Devon Key, for a big gain on a red-line throw. Ehlinger then hit Courtland Sutton for a big gain and then found Kolbe Katsis for another big play through the air.

The hot streak for Ehlinger continued in separate team periods, with him finding Engram, Nate Adkins, Marvin Mims, Joseph Manjack, and Key again for a 20+ yard gain.

Jarrett Stidham was solid on the day as well, taking what the defense gave him and even getting off a couple of tough passes against the blitz and finding Pat Bryant.

Engram was once again heavily featured as a target in the passing game from Stidham and Ehlinger, which continues to be a promising sign for an increase in usage this upcoming season, especially with Davis Webb calling plays.

Broncos defensive standouts on Thursday

Broncos defensive end Zach Allen wasn’t shy about saying that the goal for the pass rush this season is to break the NFL sack record after they fell four sacks shy of tying it last season. For two straight years, the Broncos have led the entire league in sacks by a wide margin and have set franchise records in back-to-back seasons.

The last time we spoke to Allen, it was unclear whether or not defensive coordinator Vance Joseph would be getting a head coaching job elsewhere. With Joseph returning, Allen talked about how the widespread continuity of the defense has them ahead of schedule.

“It’s huge,” Allen said. “Continuity in this league is rare, and the fact that we’ve got it is huge. We really hit the ground running. It’s crazy that it’s only really been six practices and how much we’ve already put in and got accomplished. It’s really exciting, and [I’m] definitely excited to take it into minicamp next week and then into [training] camp.”

With Joseph back in the mix, the Broncos defense can’t rest on what they did last year or in 2024 and that this year is a new slate, but it also presents the defense with an opportunity to become even better.

“I think the challenge is human nature,” Joseph said. “I told the guys the very first day that we’re not chasing what we’ve done in the last two years, but we’re chasing the process that got us there. That’s tough for players and coaches alike. The process is tough, and it takes a long time to be really good at something. Once the season is over, what you did last year doesn’t matter and that feels like a waste. Starting over is the key. Finding ways to get better. It was pretty good last year and the year before, but we have to find ways to get better [like] taking the ball away and those things. Helping our team win that way is our goal. Starting over and chasing the process is our goal and being better than we were last year.”

With the departure of John Franklin-Myers, who had 7.5 sacks last season, opportunities for sack production to pop up elsewhere are certainly present, whether that be on the defensive line or on the outside edge.

Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman both had plays during today’s team period that would have resulted in a sack in a real game with a clear path to the quarterback. Rookie Tyler Onyedim had an eye-popping play, creating backfield penetration on a run play that would have resulted in a tackle for a loss in a game environment. His first step and the speed he has as a rusher are something that should mesh well with how Vance Joseph’s defense attacks offensive units.

Riley Moss had another standout day in one of the Broncos’ team periods, playing tight to the hip of a receiver and tipping a pass into the air to force an incompletion.

Reese Taylor ended practice and capped off a solid day for him, where he was near the ball several times in various team periods.

Second-year linebacker Jordan Turner continues to be an under-the-radar name to follow, coming up with a big play defensively by dislodging an attempted catch on a crossing route from Lucas Krull, who nearly secured it until Turner’s arm ripped it away.

Patrick Surtain II was back to participating in team drills today after only doing individual drills last week. Jahdae Barron made the jump to individual drills and participated in 7-on-7.

Sean Payton signs a five-year extension

The Denver Broncos are keeping the brain trust of Sean Payton and George Paton together through 2030, with Payton receiving a five-year extension right before practice began.

As soon as we were let through the games, the notification went through from Adam Schefter. This move aligns with the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group valuing stability and growth, two things that have been evident since both Paton and Payton have been aligned together.

“I think it makes all the sense in the world,” Payton said. “I’m super appreciative of that opportunity. I said this to you guys earlier, that triangle of ownership… The Walton-Penner [Family Ownership] group, [Owner] Carrie [Walton Penner] and [Owner & CEO] Greg Penner, and then [General Manager] George [Paton], working with him… I’ve been spoiled because I had a really good experience in New Orleans with ownership and [Saints General Manager] Mickey [Loomis]. To go two-for-two with that is hard in our league. I’m thankful they want me back, and we’ll do everything we can to continue to keep winning.”

The Super Bowl window is open, and as long as these two are paired at the hip, the Denver Broncos are going to be a competitive team for the foreseeable future.