Devon Key has emerged as a big-time contributor for the Denver Broncos this season, and it hasn’t come as a surprise if you’ve been paying attention over the last couple of seasons.
Devon Key’s emergence for Denver Broncos hasn’t been a surprise
Just a few years ago, Denver Broncos safety Devon Key was buried on the depth chart of a deep safety room that featured Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, and P.J. Locke.
Key was a training camp standout and did a lot in the preseason to make it onto the Broncos practice squad in 2023. Once 2024 came around, Key took his game to another level in training camp and was a preseason standout once again, and made the active roster.
Whether it was on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room, or watching film, Key prepared every week as if he was going to start at safety or get the call, and when his number has been called, he’s answered on the first ring.
I remember asking Payton about Key during camp in 2024, and he highlighted how smart a player he has been in the weeks’ worth of practices that had already taken place.
2024 saw him earn an extended special teams role, where he played 54% (257) of Denver’s special teams snaps. Here in 2025, he’s taken that to the next level as a true core four specialist, who has the most special teams value as Wil Lutz does. He’s playing 82% of Denver’s special teams snaps (388) and has been their top contributor nearly every week.
Key has 26 special teams tackles this season, which is the most in franchise history by a player, surpassing Keith Burns, who had 24. That’s a big reason why he was selected this year as an Associated Press First-Team All-Pro for special teams.
“I just realized he’s had more special-teams tackles than anyone in the history of the Broncos,” Payton said. “Every week, we give awards. Special team game balls, offensive and defensive game balls. His name comes up, and even in his play last week when he came on defense, he just steadily, quietly… Is he at [26]? We can talk about the extended game. I get it, but that’s hard to do in the kicking game now. That’s hard to do. Devon’s one of those guys that… Remember, it’s not like the opponent doesn’t recognize who they have to double team. So, that’s what’s impressive.”
Key hasn’t missed a single tackle this season and is always the name and number wherever the football is. If Pro Bowl voting mattered by on-field impact, Key would have been a unanimous selection if selections fell under the old category.
