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<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ryan McFadden]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 22:56:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latest Headlines]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Colorado Sports Hall of Fame]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[More Broncos News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Randy Gradishar]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Legendary Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Collier died at his home in Littleton on Monday night, the team announced. A cause of death was not provided. He was 91 years old.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Legendary Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Collier died at his home in Littleton on Monday night, the team announced. A cause of death was not provided. He was 91 years old.
As an architect of the Orange Crush defense, Collier spent 20 seasons in Denver (1969-1988), where he innovated the 3-4 base defense. His defensive philosophy played a part in the Broncos making three Super Bowl appearances during his tenure.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary former defensive coordinator Joe Collier, the architect of the Orange Crush defense who helped us to three Super Bowl appearances.
A statement from the Broncos: <a href="https://t.co/ILd9IvmPzD">pic.twitter.com/ILd9IvmPzD</a>
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1787961151604641897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Collier’s loyalty to the Broncos extended beyond the playing field as a Ring of Fame Selection Committee member for more than 20 years dedicated to recognizing our all-time greats,” the team said in a statement. “As we celebrate the extraordinary life and career of Joe Collier, our hearts go out to his three children (Joel, Julie and Lisa) along with his entire family and many friends.”
Collier spent three seasons (1969-71) as Denver’s defensive backs coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1972, a position he held for 16 years. He had the second-longest tenure among coaches in franchise history, trailing only former head coach Mike Shanahan (21 seasons).
With Collier as the defensive coordinator, the Broncos ranked second in touchdowns allowed (258), and sixth in rushing yards per game (123) and touchdowns per game (2.15). Denver was also eighth in points allowed per game (18.9), interceptions (356) and opponent passer rating (67.6).
Collier coached a handful of players who are now in the team’s Ring of Fame, including Rich “Tombstone” Jackson, Paul Smith, Billy Thompson, Tom Jackson, Louis Wright, Dennis Smith, Karl Mecklenburg, Simon Fletcher and Randy Gradishar. The latter will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
Collier was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
In 2020, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who was a defensive assistant for the Broncos in 1978, told reporters that his time working with Collier was a valuable learning experience.
“Not everybody looks at it quite the same way, but Joe was very skilled at analyzing offenses and what they did and when they did it,” Belichick said. “He was good at anticipating. He did an excellent job of setting that up. I broke down the games for him, but the way he had me do it was a little different than the way I had done it in Baltimore. It gave me a lot of insight there.”
<aside class="related right"><h2 class="widget-title" data-curated-ids="" data-relation-type="automatic-primary-tag">Related Articles</h2><ul><li>
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<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f4ec.png" alt="📬" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Broncos mailbag: How does rookie RB Audric Estime change Denver’s backfield picture? 
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Broncos 2024 schedule predictions: Will Russell Wilson’s return serve as kickoff to Sean Payton’s second season in Denver? 
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As the countdown to Canton hits the home stretch, Broncos’ newest Hall of Famer soaks in “Randy Gradishar Day” 
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<div class="entry-section"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/">Denver Broncos | </a></div> <a class="article-title" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/03/jonah-luther-elliss-broncos-family-history/" title="How Jonah Elliss became a Bronco and in the process continued decades of blue-and-orange family history">

How Jonah Elliss became a Bronco and in the process continued decades of blue-and-orange family history 
</a>
</li></ul></aside>
Born on June 7, 1932, Collier played college football at Northwestern, where he broke Big Ten Conference records in 1952 by totaling 650 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches.
A Rock Island, Ill. native, Collier began his coaching career at Western Illinois (1957-59) before jumping to the NFL to be an assistant coach for the Boston Patriots from 1960-61. After serving as a linebackers and defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills from 1962-65, Collier spent three seasons as the team’s head coach, compiling a 13-16-1 record. He helped the Bills win the AFL Eastern Division in 1966.
Following his 20-year tenure in Denver, Collier spent two seasons as a defensive coordinator for the Patriots. He retired from the NFL after the 1992 season.
Collier is survived by his three children (Joel, Julie and Lisa), four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6047548</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-JoeCollier-01.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="334777" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Former coach Joe Collier sits for a portrait surrounded by memorabilia from his coaching days on Jan. 25, 2002, at his home in Littleton, Colorado. Collier coached for the Patriots, Bills and Broncos and was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-07T16:56:33+00:00</dcterms:created>
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</item>
<item>
<title>Broncos mailbag: How does rookie RB Audric Estime change Denver’s backfield picture?</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/07/audric-estime-early-impact-broncos-mailbag/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Parker Gabriel]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 19:03:59 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latest Headlines]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Audric Estime]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Bo Nix]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Brandon Johnson]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Broncos Mailbag]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Courtland Sutton]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Denver]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Devaughn Vele]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jaleel McLaughlin]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jalen Virgil]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jarrett Stidham]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Javonte Williams]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[More Broncos News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[running backs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Samaje Perine]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sean Payton]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Tim Patrick]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Troy Franklin]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Zach Wilson]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.denverpost.com/?p=6047215</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This week's Broncos mailbag features questions about a pair of rookie offensive skill players in RB Audric Estime and WR Troy Franklin, plus more on Bo Nix, the best parts of the NFL offseason and more.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Denver Post Broncos writer Parker Gabriel posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season and periodically during the offseason. <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/broncos-mailbag-form/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to submit a question</a>.
Hey Parker, how do you think the running back situation is going to be next year? Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin seem like they’ll be heavily used. And Samaje Perine had his moments last season. Where does Audric Estime fit into this system?
— Mike, Denver
Hey Mike, thanks for writing in and getting us going this week. Interesting question about one of the Broncos’ most interesting position groups.
This is the time of year when I make this caveat a lot, but here it is again for this week’s mailbag: It’s early. Really early.
OK, with that out of the way, the starting point on Estime is this: He got drafted in a position where the default assumption is he’s going to play. Maybe quite a bit. Now, the role is to be determined, but you don’t draft running backs in the middle rounds anymore if you’re not planning on them making an impact. The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder from Notre Dame played just three years of college ball and has just 373 college carries on his ledger. He scored 30 touchdowns in 25 games over the past two years. The biggest question at this point is probably about catching the ball after he had just 26 catches over that same span.
The interesting part, then, is that Denver has all three of its running backs from last year’s rotation still under contract for 2024.
Williams is the wild card and here’s why: It’s difficult for an outsider to evaluate his 2023 season. When you look at the numbers on the surface, they’re not pretty. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry despite rushing behind a blocking unit that finished third in run block win rate, one of ESPN’s advanced metrics. According to PFF, he forced 63 missed tackles as a rookie on 203 carries and then just 34 misses on 217 carries last year. His longest run of the year was 21 yards, he did less damage after contact and averaged 2.6 yards per carry over the final four games of the season.
However, he also played 16 games despite being less than a year off a significant knee injury that involved multiple ligaments and has cost players in similar positions 12 months or more. Coaches and teammates marveled at his rate of recovery and his ability to keep himself on the field. If he’d have played half the season, he’d get a pass considering the injury he had. So it doesn’t seem fair to dock him for getting back early and playing in every game but one.
The NFL, of course, is not fair. Perhaps particularly for running backs. Williams’ 2024 will be a fascinating one. Is he all the way back to pre-injury form? Or did it diminish his abilities?
Perine had 50 catches last year and McLaughlin is a dynamic change-of-pace guy, but probably not an every-down option at the moment. They’ve got relatively defined roles. Perine, in particular, will be tasked with showing he provides something to the offense that Estime doesn’t.
Most teams don’t keep four running backs on the 53-man roster. And the Broncos will also get a long look at Memphis undrafted rookie Blake Watson and returning practice squad-er Tyler Badie this summer. The competition’s just getting started.
Do you think we’ll see much from Troy Franklin this season? Two years being Nix’s No. 1 target at Oregon, he’s got to be a safe target for our new QB.
— Ryan C., Denver
Yeah, Ryan, good question. Ask me again in mid-August. Just kidding, kind of.
If you were penciling in a top trio right now based on the roster — and not on voluntary workout attendance — you’d likely go with Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims Jr. Then after that you’ve got Tim Patrick coming off back-to-back seasons lost due to injury, Brandon Johnson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil coming back off a torn ACL last summer and some veteran practice squad guys like Phillip Dorsett and David Sills.
That’s a lot of bodies for Franklin and seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele to compete with, but it’s not like the room is stacked with overwhelming recent production, either.
Franklin’s got a combination of traits not otherwise found in the room. Denver’s got guys with size. It’s got speed with Mims and Johnson. Franklin, the No. 102 overall pick in the draft, has both. Now, he’s got to learn the offense. He’s got to catch the ball consistently. He’s got to show he can be trusted not just by the familiar quarterback in Bo Nix, but also by the coaching staff and the other quarterbacks.
If he does all that, he’s going to have a great chance to play a lot. Assuming the room looks as it does currently, that still might not mean a ton of targets right out of the gate. The Broncos have other options, particularly at the top line. But he’s a guy who can scare defenses at 6-foot-3 with his speed.
Right now it’s safe to assume that the quarterback spot is Bo Nix’s to lose, right? I can’t see us marching into the new year with Jarrett Stidham under center.
— Mark, Arvada
How safe are we talking, Mark? It’s not a guarantee. Nix is going to get a good, long look this offseason. He’s going to get every chance to prove he can be the guy right from the jump. <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/bronocs-mailbag-bo-nix-starting-quarterback/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In last week’s mailbag</a>, we covered several of the reasons why he’s got a chance to do it and why it would make sense to roll with him if he shows that he’s even in the same neighborhood as Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.
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Former Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Collier dies at 91 
</a>
</li><li>
<div class="entry-section"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/">Denver Broncos | </a></div> <a class="article-title" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/06/broncos-2024-schedule-predictions-russell-wilson-denver-return/" title="Broncos 2024 schedule predictions: Will Russell Wilson’s return serve as kickoff to Sean Payton’s second season in Denver?">

Broncos 2024 schedule predictions: Will Russell Wilson’s return serve as kickoff to Sean Payton’s second season in Denver? 
</a>
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<div class="entry-section"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/">Denver Broncos | </a></div> <a class="article-title" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/06/broncos-banking-partner-ent-credit-union/" title="Broncos announce new banking partnership with Ent Credit Union">

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As the countdown to Canton hits the home stretch, Broncos’ newest Hall of Famer soaks in “Randy Gradishar Day” 
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How Jonah Elliss became a Bronco and in the process continued decades of blue-and-orange family history 
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</li></ul></aside>
But he’s got to actually do it. And he’ll get the chance to start doing it for real at this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Let’s see if we can all keep from massively overreacting to a couple of days on the grass in May. Forecast says…. Not particularly likely.
Of the following, what’s your favorite and worst part of the offseason: writing this mailbag, reporting on free agency movements, Denver roster cuts, profiling draft choices or speculating on mock drafts? Or maybe something else?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Hey Ed, fun question and a tough one. The actual best part of the offseason is getting somewhere for a few days where your cell signal doesn’t work and you have no choice but to completely forget about it.
The NFL does a masterful job of staying in the conversation all offseason, so there’s usually something going on or coming up. Some of it is more enjoyable than others, naturally. Of course, you’re interested in the big free agent signings and early-round picks, but there are always interesting stories from the other players, too. One of the underrated parts is getting a look at rookie minicamp, then the mandatory minicamp, then the early days of training camp and trying to figure out who’s got a real chance to make the roster. You know maybe 40 of the guys that will make it, but sorting out the rest is always a fun challenge. Then the other constant is that it’s hard to beat the NFL combine. Essentially the entire league is there for the better part of a week. It’s a great time for reporting, networking, catching up with friends and colleagues and, oh yeah, learning about the draft class, too.
And, of course, The Mailbag is great! We get really good questions about the Broncos every week no matter how far away an actual game is. Pretty cool. Keep them coming.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6047215</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AP23322795153318.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="241878" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Wake Forest defensive back Evan Slocum (14) trips up Notre Dame running back Audric Estime (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-07T13:03:59+00:00</dcterms:created>
<dcterms:modified>2024-05-07T13:07:28+00:00</dcterms:modified>
</item>
<item>
<title>Broncos 2024 schedule predictions: Will Russell Wilson’s return serve as kickoff to Sean Payton’s second season in Denver?</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/06/broncos-2024-schedule-predictions-russell-wilson-denver-return/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Parker Gabriel, Ryan McFadden]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 19:59:42 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latest Headlines]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Aaron Rodgers]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Denver]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Joe Burrow]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Justin Fields]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Justin Herbert]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[More Broncos News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Pat Surtain II]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Patrick Mahomes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Russell Wilson]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sean Payton]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.denverpost.com/?p=6046043</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Broncos already know who and where they play in 2024. Soon they'll also know when. Could Russell Wilson's return come as early as Week 1? When will the Sean Payton return to New Orleans fall? Here are predictions from The Post's beat reporters.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Which quarterback is going to start for the Broncos come Week 1? This week, a different question: Which quarterback will Sean Payton’s team be facing in Week 1?
Could it be Russell Wilson? Patrick Mahomes? Justin Herbert or Aaron Rodgers?
They’re all on the docket for Denver this fall and we should find out soon in what order Denver will face them.
The past couple of years, the NFL has announced its full slate the second Thursday of May (this year, that’s May 9). But as of Monday afternoon, the league hasn’t actually announced its plans.
Still, it’s coming. Probably soon. And that means the moment has again arrived for a time-honored Denver Post tradition: Predicting the Broncos’ schedule.
There’s not many clues so far. We know Denver’s not playing an international game. They’re unlikely to play Thanksgiving Day since it would have to be the primetime slot — Detroit and Dallas host the other two games that day and the Broncos don’t play either.
A new NFL wrinkle this winter: A pair of Christmas Day games despite the holiday falling on a Wednesday. If Denver gets one of those, it will be playing the Saturday before.
Without further ado, here are the dueling scheduling predictions from Broncos beat reporters Parker Gabriel and Ryan McFadden. To the winner: Eternal glory.
<h4>McFadden’s projection</h4>
Week 1: Indianapolis Colts
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 3: at New York Jets
<figure id="attachment_6046119" class="wp-caption alignnone size-article_inline"><img decoding="async" class=" lazyautosizes lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" sizes="498px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" alt="Pittsburgh Steelers newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson speaks with reporters in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Friday after being cut by the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)" width="5760" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" data-attachment-id="6046119" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24076592817996.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Pittsburgh Steelers newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson speaks with reporters in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Friday after being cut by the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)</figcaption></figure>
Week 4: Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday Night Football)
Out of all the games on Denver’s schedule, its matchup against Pittsburgh is one of the few that warrants the spotlight. Less than a year after getting let go from the Broncos, Russell Wilson comes back to the Mile High City with the opportunity to get revenge on head coach Sean Payton, who benched him near the end of the 2023 campaign.
Week 5: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: Carolina Panthers
This might be the least intriguing matchup on Denver’s schedule. Still, this will be an opportunity for the Broncos to build some momentum coming out of the bye week.
Week 8: at New Orleans Saints
Payton will return to New Orleans, where he won a Super Bowl and built one of the league’s most prolific offenses, for the first time as Denver’s head coach. Given the state of both organizations, it’s hard to see this matchup getting a prime time slot. But this will still be a big moment for Payton and the Saints’ fanbase.
Week 9: Las Vegas Raiders
Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 11: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 12: Cleveland Browns
Week 13: at Cincinnati Bengals (Thursday Night Football)
Nix vs. Joe Burrow. Pat Surtain II vs. Ja’Marr Chase. If Nix is indeed the quarterback Payton envisioned him to be, this game warrants a prime time slot.
Week 14: Atlanta Falcons
Week 15: L.A. Chargers
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 17: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The only implications this game might have will be the Chiefs trying to secure the first seed in the AFC playoff race — and the Broncos’ draft slot, of course.
<h4>Gabriel’s projection</h4>
Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday Night Football)
The Broncos aren’t likely to be a big primetime draw this fall given the mild expectations, but Russell Wilson’s return will do the trick. Note to the NFL schedule-makers: This one should be early in the season or it could end up being Justin Fields vs. the Broncos.
Week 2: at L.A. Chargers
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts
Week 4: at New Orleans
Maybe you’ve heard: Payton used to coach the Saints. His return to the Bayou will be quite a spectacle, especially if he’s waltzing in with a rookie quarterback as his starter and, essentially, the key to his second act in the NFL.
Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs
Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals
<figure id="attachment_5802255" class="wp-caption alignnone size-article_inline"><img decoding="async" class=" lazyautosizes lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" sizes="498px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" alt="New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Longtime New York Jets fans are all too familiar with the pain that comes from having a promising season derailed as soon as it started by a quarterback injury. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)" width="3256" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" data-attachment-id="5802255" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AP23257518929787.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Longtime New York Jets fans are all too familiar with the pain that comes from having a promising season derailed as soon as it started by a quarterback injury. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)</figcaption></figure>
Week 7: at New York Jets
The Broncos have four games in the Eastern time zone this fall. If Denver gets two of them in back-to-back weeks, look for the franchise to make arrangements to set up shop somewhere out there — a week at the Greenbriar in West Virginia, anyone? — rather than trek back to Denver in between.
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: Atlanta Falcons
Week 10: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 11: Carolina Panthers (Thursday Night Football)
Week 12: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Broncos ended the losing streak against Patrick Mahomes and Co. last fall in Denver. Notching a win at Arrowhead in December would be another matter entirely.
Week 14: Cleveland Browns
Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens
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Broncos announce new banking partnership with Ent Credit Union 
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<div class="entry-section"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/">Denver Broncos | </a></div> <a class="article-title" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/03/randy-gradishar-day-hall-of-fame/" title="As the countdown to Canton hits the home stretch, Broncos’ newest Hall of Famer soaks in “Randy Gradishar Day”">

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Week 16: Las Vegas Raiders
This is the week that would be a Saturday game if the Broncos were going to get put on the Wednesday, Christmas Day extravaganza. Let’s not.
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Probably manifesting too hard here by avoiding Christmas Day and slotting the trip to Florida for late December, but hey, this is my projection. I’m not asking for that much.
Week 18: L.A. Chargers
Last year the Broncos bookended the season with the Raiders. This year we project a different divisional opponent. Soon enough, we’ll know what the actual scheduling overlords have in store.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6046043</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TDP-L-Broncos-Chargers-RJS-01152.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="176681" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) watches the action from the sideline as his teammate Jarrett Stidham (4) started as quarterback at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 31, 2023. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, right, called in plays as the Denver Broncos take on the Los Angeles Chargers during week 17 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-06T13:59:42+00:00</dcterms:created>
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<title>Broncos announce new banking partnership with Ent Credit Union</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/06/broncos-banking-partner-ent-credit-union/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Parker Gabriel]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 18:18:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latest Headlines]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[The Broncos and Ent Credit Union on Monday announced a multi-year partnership agreement. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Broncos and Ent Credit Union on Monday announced a multi-year partnership agreement, marking the first time in more than 20 years the franchise has made a major change in its banking sponsor.
The Broncos had previously been partnered with U.S. Bank, but are making the move to Ent, the largest credit union in Colorado.
The partnership continues a run over the past year in which the franchise has come to new major partnership agreements, including last spring’s training facility naming rights agreement with what is now CommonSpirit Health System.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ent to our team not only as the Broncos’ official banking partner but also as a Broncos Foundation Legacy Partner,” Broncos chief commercial officer Dennis Moore said in a release announcing the partnership with Ent. “This transformational partnership continues the strong momentum throughout our business, and we look forward to working with Ent and its employees to make a positive impact in Broncos Country.”
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In addition to the usual programming, activations and signage at Empower Field, the foundation legacy partnership means Ent will be involved in the club’s community efforts and will sponsor the Broncos’ community appearance jerseys with a logo patch.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6045964</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TDP-L-Broncos-uniforms-RJS-229.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="151759" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ The Denver Broncos unveil new Mile High Collection at the team store at Empower Field in Denver on April 22, 2024. The four different uniforms were designed by Nike with player input on the design. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-06T12:18:21+00:00</dcterms:created>
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<title>As the countdown to Canton hits the home stretch, Broncos’ newest Hall of Famer soaks in “Randy Gradishar Day”</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/03/randy-gradishar-day-hall-of-fame/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Parker Gabriel]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2024 23:09:41 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Randy Gradishar will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in August, the endpoint to a 35-year wait.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When a governor is serving as your hype man and a mayor is volunteering himself as your aide for the afternoon, you’re having a pretty good day.
When the day itself is proclaimed in your honor, all the better.
That was Friday on the west steps of the state capitol for Randy Gradishar.
The Broncos legend and 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee soaked in a sunny May 3 afternoon that Gov. Jared Polis named Randy Gradishar Day after the linebacker who wore No. 53 in the middle of Denver’s defense for one of its most dominant decades.
“Having this opportunity to come out and have Randy Gradishar Day with the governor and the mayor and just in Colorado people appreciating this, it’s just really humbling for me,” Gradishar said afterward. “Having the opportunity to be recognized this way and knowing that finally the Pro Football Hall of Fame is here is a real blessing.”
Polis spoke while wearing one of the Broncos’ new uniforms with the No. 24 and “Polis” on the back and said the only reason he didn’t wear his signed Gradishar jersey is because he’d had it framed and hung in his office.
He read the official proclamation, which included some of Gradishar’s career statistical highlights and nodded to many of Gradishar’s off-the-field pursuits, like decades of work with Colorado youth and military personnel.
A sizable group of Broncos fans and onlookers gathered in front of the orange-and-blue arc of balloons set up for the event, which also included Broncos cheerleaders, the drum line and, of course, “Miles” the mascot in addition to friends and former teammates of Gradishar’s and team executives.
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<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f4ec.png" alt="📬" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Broncos mailbag: How does rookie RB Audric Estime change Denver’s backfield picture? 
</a>
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Broncos 2024 schedule predictions: Will Russell Wilson’s return serve as kickoff to Sean Payton’s second season in Denver? 
</a>
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<div class="entry-section"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/">Denver Broncos | </a></div> <a class="article-title" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/06/broncos-banking-partner-ent-credit-union/" title="Broncos announce new banking partnership with Ent Credit Union">

Broncos announce new banking partnership with Ent Credit Union 
</a>
</li><li>
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How Jonah Elliss became a Bronco and in the process continued decades of blue-and-orange family history 
</a>
</li></ul></aside>
“He’s someone I spent my entire childhood watching,” Denver mayor Mike Johnston said of Gradishar. “But as the governor said, the amazing thing about Randy is he’s not just a legend on the field, he’s been a legend off the field. He’s stayed in this city, he’s given back, he’s done everything he can to pull up the next generation of players but more than anything the next generation of young people and the next generation of fans.”
Gradishar will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in August, the endpoint to a 35-year wait. Gradishar grew up in Ohio not far from Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and recently went to the Hall for the first time since knowing he’d be joining its ranks this summer.
This day, Polis said, was meant to be a kickoff to the summer Gradishar’s been waiting on for so many years.
“It’s overwhelming to me right now,” Gradishar said.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6043406</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-legislation050324-cha-1061.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="223909" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class in February, celebrates Randy Gradishar day with his fans at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Friday, May 3, 2024. Gov. Jared Polis announced May 3rd as Randy Gradishar day from Gradishar’s jersey number 53. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-03T17:09:41+00:00</dcterms:created>
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<title>How Jonah Elliss became a Bronco and in the process continued decades of blue-and-orange family history</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/03/jonah-luther-elliss-broncos-family-history/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Parker Gabriel]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2024 11:45:35 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Jonah Elliss was nearing his first birthday when his dad Luther, thrilled his parents the town of Mancos by signing with the Broncos in free agency. Now 20 years later, Jonah is starting his professional career in Denver as a third-round Broncos draft pick. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Two decades later, Luther Elliss’ voice still lifts as he thinks back to that phone call to his parents.
The longtime NFL defensive tackle played nine seasons in Detroit. Made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1999 and 2000. Anchored the interior for the Lions week after week, year after year.
For Elliss, though, not many moments from his decorated career stand the test of time like the conclusion of his March 2004 free agency.
“People ask, like, ‘What’s your biggest takeaway and what do you remember the most?’” Elliss told The Denver Post recently. “Being able to make that call to my parents and telling them that I’m going to be a Bronco. It was almost like draft day.”
Elliss’ dad served in the Navy, and the family moved around when he was little. When it came time to start school, Elliss went to live with his grandparents in Mancos, the small southwestern Colorado town just outside Mesa Verde National Park.
The Elliss family? They bled orange and blue. So when the choice came between a bit more money in Jacksonville or Denver, it was an easy call.
“My dad was a huge Broncos fan and so was my mom,” Elliss said. “That was our team. Elway, the Three Amigos, Orange Crush, Mecklenburg. Those were the names I recognized. … I was the type of kid that loved to play outside, I was hardly ever indoors.
“Every time I came in either the news was on or the Broncos. That dominated our TV.”
<figure id="attachment_6041525" class="wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline"><img decoding="async" class=" lazyautosizes lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" alt="Broncos defensive tackle Luther Elliss, center, and his wife Rebecca pose with their eight children during lunchtime at the Elliss household on November 30, 2004, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Clockwise from far left: Christain, 5, Kaden, 9, Isaiah, 4, Olivia, 7, Noah, 5, Sophia, 1, Jonah, 1, and Isabelle, 3. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/The Denver Post)" width="2142" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" data-attachment-id="6041525" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-L-LutherEllissFamily-01.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Broncos defensive tackle Luther Elliss, center, and his wife Rebecca pose with their eight children during lunchtime at the Elliss household on November 30, 2004, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Clockwise from far left: Christain, 5, Kaden, 9, Isaiah, 4, Olivia, 7, Noah, 5, Sophia, 1, Jonah, 1, and Isabelle, 3. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/The Denver Post)</figcaption></figure>
When Elliss signed with Denver, one of his sons, Jonah, was just shy of his first birthday.
Since then, Luther Elliss and his family have lived in Michigan; Highlands Ranch; Moscow, Idaho; and Salt Lake City. He’s finished his career, <a href="https://www.ksl.com/article/38254257/once-broke-former-ute-luther-elliss-is-back-in-the-game">gone broke and through bankruptcy</a>, started a church, gotten into coaching, earned a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos in 2015 and watched three of his sons forge their own paths to the NFL.
A lot of life. A lot of learning. A lot of experience.
But nothing quite like last Friday night. Jonah, an All-American pass-rusher at Utah, waited and watched the NFL Draft.
The phone rang.
The Denver Broncos. No. 76 overall.
Dad’s childhood team.
“When he got that call from the Broncos, it was like, ‘Yessss,’” Luther Elliss said.
<h4>“The Mayor of Sack Lake City”</h4>
Sean Payton thought the Broncos were in the clear.
Then it hit him.
Oh, no. Atlanta.
The Falcons picked No. 74, two spots ahead of Denver. Their starting inside linebacker: Kaden Elliss, one of Jonah’s older brothers. The team’s general manager: Terry Fontenot, a top lieutenant in New Orleans’ personnel department in 2019 when Payton and the Saints signed Kaden as an undrafted free agent and watched him turn into a productive pro.
Plus, Atlanta shocked the NFL world by drafting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall and eschewing its top perceived need: edge rusher.
“I’m like, ‘Maybe Kaden and Jonah didn’t get along?’” Payton said with a laugh after it all ended the way the Broncos wanted.
The Falcons took Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice. Payton got a text from Kaden Elliss, then general manager George Paton called his younger brother.
“They are two different types of players; obviously Kaden is playing more inside, and we got more of a pressure player here with this player,” Payton said after Denver landed Jonah.
The Broncos coach might have worried even more if he knew what Luther was thinking: New England at No. 68 and the Falcons at No 74 felt like good possibilities.
“We knew (Denver) liked him but you didn’t know how much,” Luther said. “It seemed like other teams had more interest. The teams that have my boys on them seemed like they were some of the most interested. They kept calling and doing interviews and different things. Not that the Broncos weren’t doing that, but it was more so other teams.”
Denver was there all along, though.
In fact, Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite led Jonah’s pro day workout at Utah this spring.
“(Wilhoite) said he really liked him, liked the way he moved and all these other things,” said Luther, who noted it was New Orleans linebackers coach Michael Hodges who worked Kaden out at Idaho’s pro day in 2019. “It was just true to form of how things had happened in the past.”
The Broncos are counting on Elliss to be able to add pass-rush punch to their young edge group that also includes Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning and Nik Bonitto.
He racked up 12 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2023 despite playing in just 10 games for Utah, where his dad once also wore No. 83 and is now the defensive tackles coach.
Jonah Elliss went ballistic in the middle of the season, racking up 3.5 sacks against UCLA alone, then followed that up with two the next week against Oregon State, 1.5 against Cal and another against USC. Four conference games, eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
<figure id="attachment_6041544" class="wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline"><img decoding="async" class=" lazyautosizes lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" alt="Caleb Williams (13) of the USC Trojans looks to throw a pass defended by Jonah Elliss (83) of the Utah Utes in the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)" width="4623" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" data-attachment-id="6041544" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01A.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Caleb Williams (13) of the USC Trojans looks to throw a pass defended by Jonah Elliss (83) of the Utah Utes in the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
“I really just had a burst of confidence,” Elliss said after Denver picked him. “I put in a lot of work during the offseason to get better at pass rush. I’m obviously not perfect, but that’s something that I put a lot of time and effort into.”
The production also earned him a nickname, according to Denver seventh-round pick and former Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele.
“We call him the Mayor of Sack Lake City,” Vele said, “because he kept getting sacks every game.”
<h4>The Chaplain</h4>
In the afterglow of Luther Elliss’ pro career, he hit hard times. A series of bad business dealings left him facing bankruptcy and the prospect of having to start from scratch with a large family.
Luther and Rebecca Elliss, a former Utah volleyball player, have 12 children total, including seven adopted.
They got involved in starting a church, called K2 The Church, in the Salt Lake City area. Luther started helping coach his sons at Judge Memorial High.
“They haven’t won a high school championship for 30-some years and we were picked last in our little region, I think,” Luther said. “And we win the state championship. Not only did we win state, but we did it back-to-back.”
In January 2015, another phone call.
“‘Hey, Luther, it’s Kubes!’” he recalls, but at the time he couldn’t place the nickname. “I was like, Kubes, Kubes, Kubes, uh?’ He’s like, ‘It’s Kubiak!’”
Gary Kubiak, of course. He’d been the offensive coordinator in Denver when Elliss wrapped up his playing career. Kubiak spent the year before he was hired as the Broncos head coach in Baltimore and the Ravens had a full-time team chaplain. He thought it had been a benefit and decided to see if Elliss was interested.
“They brought me out, interviewed me, I did a chapel service, met with the guys, met with Ray (Jackson) and coach Kubiak,” Elliss said.
<figure id="attachment_6041526" class="wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline"><img decoding="async" class=" lazyautosizes lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" alt="Denver Broncos chaplain Luther Elliss during the team's NFL rookie camp football practice Saturday, May 7, 2016, in the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)" width="5184" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" data-attachment-id="6041526" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-LutherElliss-AP-03.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Denver Broncos chaplain Luther Elliss during the team’s NFL rookie camp football practice Saturday, May 7, 2016, in the team’s headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)</figcaption></figure>
He got the job and moved the family moved to Highlands Ranch.
That fall, the Broncos stormed to a Super Bowl championship.
“God has a good sense of humor is what I always tell people,” Elliss said. “It wasn’t the way I wanted to get a Super Bowl ring, but I’ll take it.”
By the time Kubiak retired after the 2016 season, Kaden Elliss was a standout linebacker at Idaho and the Vandals were recruiting Luther’s sons Noah and Christian. Coach Paul Petrino also needed a defensive line coach.
So Luther went all-in on coaching, took the job and got to be on staff while three of his boys played college ball.
Jonah showed up at Moscow High down the street as a 150-pound freshman.
“He already had size 13 shoes and these big ol’ mittens,” former Moscow High head coach Phil Helbling told The Post. “You just knew the development was going to happen. I remember seeing him and Luther and the older boys and I was like, ‘Gee, what are we getting here?'”
<h4>“The best Elliss”</h4>
Ask Helbling about Jonah Ellis and he doesn’t jump to a particularly dominant game or any number of highlight reel plays.
Instead, he’s got a stat you won’t find in the Idaho high school record books.
“Over his four years, I don’t know if he missed a single workout in the summer,” Helbling, now a physical education teacher at the school, said. “He was just unlike any other kid.”
A kid driven, naturally, by his older brothers.
“We had conversations and he always told me, ‘I’m going to be the best Elliss. I’m going to be better than my brothers were,’” Helbling said. “… And it wasn’t boastful. It wasn’t arrogant. It wasn’t cocky. It was just, I know I’m going to develop. I know this is the route I want to pursue.”
<figure id="attachment_6041523" class="wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline"><img decoding="async" class=" lazyautosizes lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" alt="Jonah Elliss (83) of the Utah Utes pushes his way to the ball carrier of the California Golden Bears during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Oct. 14, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)" width="3027" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" data-attachment-id="6041523" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1 620w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&ssl=1 780w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&ssl=1 810w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&ssl=1 1280w,https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TDP-Z-JonahElliss-Getty-01.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&ssl=1 1860w" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Jonah Elliss (83) of the Utah Utes pushes his way to the ball carrier of the California Golden Bears during the first half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Oct. 14, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
He followed in his dad’s footsteps by committing to Utah. Luther wasn’t sure what coaching had in store for him with the older boys out of school and Petrino was fired at Idaho after the 2021 season. He figured it was the end of the road, in terms of coaching his boys, at least.
“The positions (at Utah) were full but something opened up and I had an opportunity and I was like, ‘No way, this is going to be awesome.’ It’s a blessing to be able to coach your boys and have that precious time,” Luther Elliss said. “And It’s not just me coaching them. It’s that the whole family is here.”
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A family that provided guidance in addition to motivation for Jonah as he progressed up the depth chart at Utah. He proved himself to be coveted by the NFL in just three seasons and also felt a tug to get to the league in order to play against Kaden, Noah and Christian. Noah, a defensive tackle, was waived by Philadelphia on April 30. But if they’re all active at the same time this year or in the future, Elias Sports Bureau says they’d be the first set of four brothers active in the NFL since the 1920s.
“I always say he’s further developed than those guys were coming out, even though he’s coming out early,” Luther said, noting it’s in part because of the guidance they provided.
Indeed, Jonah just turned 21. He’s dealt with a shoulder injury, but the Broncos anticipate he’ll be fully cleared sometime this month.
It may feel inevitable that he reached this spot, given his dad’s decade-long run in the NFL, his mom’s athleticism and his trio of brothers in the league.
Maybe it was. But like this? Son’s career starting in the same place dad’s ended 20 years ago? The same franchise that dominated the TV in Mancos 40-plus years ago?
“We just were praying that he would go to the team that fit him the best, that really wants him, that it would make the perfect fit for him,” Luther Ellis said.
“… We’re grateful it ended up being the Broncos.”
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6041002</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AP23304449651804.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="284610" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) celebrates a fumble recovery against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Salt Lake City. Luther Elliss earned consensus All-American honors as a senior at Utah in 1994 while helping lead his team to its first 10-win season in school history. Jonah Elliss has thrived under his father’s tutelage. He leads the Pac-12 with 10.0 sacks and 83 sack yards.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) ]]></media:description></media:content>
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<dcterms:modified>2024-05-03T14:43:42+00:00</dcterms:modified>
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<title>Broncos Mailbag: Will Bo Nix win the Denver starting quarterback job right away? And what number is he going to wear?</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/bronocs-mailbag-bo-nix-starting-quarterback/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Parker Gabriel]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2024 11:45:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Bo Nix is a Bronco. Can he win the starting job as a rookie? What number will he wear? And what else was interesting about Denver's seven-man draft class and group of undrafted signees? ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Denver Post Broncos writer Parker Gabriel posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season and periodically during the offseason. <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/broncos-mailbag-form/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to submit a question</a>.
Is it safe to Buy a Bo Nix jersey? Fans wanna know because of the revolving QB door we seem to have.
— Maria England, Phoenix
Thanks for getting us going this week, Maria. Do you have the shirt Sean Payton referenced with all the Broncos quarterbacks and their names crossed off?
There’s risk in buying almost anybody’s jersey these days. You’d have answered this question in the affirmative, strongly, just two years ago for Russell Wilson. Nix is going to get a lot of time, energy and resources put into his development and Payton and the Broncos clearly believe in him. And, hey, either way it’ll be a collectors item. Or something like that.
Of course, the question now is what number will Nix wear? He was No. 10 in college, but that was announced as Zach Wilson’s number after the trade. What if he wore No. 0? Or perhaps he can convince Tremon Smith to give up No. 1? Or perhaps this is more of an organizational decision: Bo Nix is the first-round draft pick and he’s getting No. 10. Sorry Zach. No. 16 will look great on you. Here’s a gift card to Shanahan’s for your troubles.
Might the Broncos be asking for trouble and a quarterback controversy by having Bo Nix and Zach Wilson on the roster simultaneously?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Hey Ed, thanks for writing in. Aside from the jersey number thing, there’s no trouble in having Wilson and Nix on the roster together. It could create a very interesting preseason camp come late July and a competition between those two and Jarrett Stidham. But I don’t see why it would cause trouble. There is usually some truth, though, to the truism about the position: If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks. That’s not always true, but often it is with a competition like this one.
That’s no knock, either. The Broncos have made it clear the entire offseason up to this point that they didn’t think they had a surefire guy and they spent months looking for one. Now it’s more about not knowing if they have the guy and who that guy is. The most likely candidate is probably Nix. Maybe Wilson undergoes a massive transformation playing for Payton, but if we’re setting odds, are you taking that or Nix as a serviceable-to-good starter early in his career?
Parker, who do you think will be our starter at QB in Week 1? And what do you think the Broncos QB room will look like this fall? Bo Nix is a given whether he starts or not, but do you think Zach Wilson can beat out Jarrett Stidham?
— Mike, Denver
OK, carrying along the same line of thinking, Mike.
Let’s preface this all with the obvious: Two of these three guys have never actually practiced in a Broncos uniform yet. There is plenty of time for a competition to sort itself out.
All the same, the starting point might still be instructive. So, let’s run through it.
The argument for Nix playing right away is pretty straightforward. You drafted him No. 12 overall. He’s got a good number of veterans around him and an offensive line that’s mostly intact from last year. The one guy who’s not back is center Lloyd Cushenberry, and his replacement could end up being Alex Forsyth, one of Nix’s college centers. Not only that, but Nix started an FBS-record 61 college games. He’s 24 years old. He’s only green in the NFL sense and the only way to not be NFL green is to play. The reality is there’s also not a ton of expectation on the Broncos this year and if Nix doesn’t play extensively, he doesn’t grow into 2025 when most of Russell Wilson’s money will be off the books and Denver will have more flexibility.
Of course, none of that matters much if he doesn’t engender confidence among the coaches and his teammates between now and September. He’ll get plenty of chances to do just that.
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<div class="entry-section"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/">Denver Broncos | </a></div> <a class="article-title" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/07/audric-estime-early-impact-broncos-mailbag/" title="Broncos mailbag: How does rookie RB Audric Estime change Denver’s backfield picture?">

<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f4ec.png" alt="📬" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Broncos mailbag: How does rookie RB Audric Estime change Denver’s backfield picture? 
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Stidham and Wilson each have advantages and disadvantages from where they start. Stidham’s biggest is that he’s been in the system for a year already and has a big lead in terms of understanding the hows, whats and whys of playing quarterback for Sean Payton. Wilson has the raw ability that made him the No. 2 overall pick just three years ago.
Then, of course, there’s the money conversation. The Broncos are paying about half of Wilson’s $5.5 million guaranteed salary this year and, according to OvertheCap, has a cap number of $2.73 million. That’s all guaranteed, so Denver’s paying it (and counting that number against its cap) regardless of what happens.
Stidham has a $7 million cap number but only $1 million in guaranteed money for this year. Cutting him would leave $2 million dead on Denver’s books but clear $5 million in space. Advantage to Wilson in that department, but we’re not talking about the type of money that has to be a deciding factor. Just, it could matter if the race is close.
Remember, too, that the NFL instituted a rule change that allows practice squad quarterbacks to be elevated for game day as many times as a team wants this fall as long as he counts as one of your maximum two game-day elevations. That further reduces the incentive for teams to keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man rosters. Not to say the Broncos couldn’t keep all three, but Payton historically hasn’t.
Our new third-round pick — Jonah Elliss from Utah — will he be expected to take over Josey Jewell’s MLB position/responsibility?
— Michael Good, Wichita, Kan.
Hey Michael, that’s an interesting thought but the bet here is that Elliss will play on the edge from the start. The Broncos like his pass-rush ability and think he can hold up against the run even though he’s not the biggest at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds.
The wrinkle here, though, is whether Elliss’ selection bumps Drew Sanders back to the middle full-time. Elliss would make a four-man rotation with Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto on the edge. Denver also has a couple of guys in Ronnie Perkins and Thomas Incoom who spent time on the 53-man roster last year and should at least be in the mix again this summer.
Sanders, meanwhile, was originally drafted as an inside linebacker — Payton has called both Sanders and Elliss “pressure players” — but he ended up playing some on the edge down the stretch. The question is if Sanders bumps back to the middle now or if he stays on the edge. In the middle, he’d compete to play alongside Alex Singleton with Jonas Griffith and Cody Barton primarily. That looks like his better route to having a big role, but he has to show he can play in the middle of the field.
Aside from Bo Nix, which one of our draft picks has the best chance at making the biggest impact in 2024?
— Reagan R., Aurora
Reagan, thanks for writing in and a great question. We’ll probably have a better idea by the end of minicamp in mid-June but obviously the fullest picture will be a few weeks into August.
Let’s put them in a couple of buckets: Elliss probably has the cleanest role. He’s joining three other OLBs in a room that really needs another contributor. But if all four are healthy he’s probably playing a subset of snaps.
The depth chart picture is a little muddier at present for Audric Estime, but you don’t draft a running back in the middle rounds anymore unless you think he’s going to have a big impact. If Javonte Williams is fully healthy, he’ll be in the mix, obviously. Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin each carved roles for themselves last year. But if Estime is ready to roll, he’s going to.
Franklin has the upside. There are veterans on the roster ahead of him currently in Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds plus other options like Marvin Mims Jr., Brandon Johnson, etc. But his talent is clear and if he makes an impact, it could be a big one.
The widest variance is Kris Abrams-Draine. He could end up being just a special teams guy and a reserve, but he’s got a chance to jump into a wide-open battle for the job opposite Pat Surtain II and he’s doing it for a new position coach in Jim Leonhard, who will be treating everybody as if they have a clean slate. Is he the fifth corner and a back-of-the-roster guy? Or is he maybe a starter? That will be a fascinating battle the rest of the spring and summer.
I’m a little surprised we didn’t go after a tight end in the draft. Greg Dulcich’s been bitten with the injury bug and our other tight ends don’t strike me as offensive threats.
And any early guesses if any of our undrafted rookie free agents get a roster spot?
— Matt Sullivan, Colorado Springs
Yeah, Matt, same here. One interesting thing Payton said: At the end of each draft day there are a few guys you know are going early the next day. Denver moved up to take Franklin with Saturday’s second pick (No. 102 overall). The guy that went No. 101, Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, was also surprisingly available. Wonder if they’d have made a similar move up in the event that Carolina had taken Franklin.
The Broncos really need either Greg Dulcich or Lucas Krull to produce this fall. Dulcich has the talent, but he’s got to stay healthy. If he does, look out. But it’s a big if at this point. Krull has some promise, but a lot of refinement left to be a bona fide difference-maker. It’ll also be interesting to see how Nate Adkins develops in Year 2. He’s probably not going to suddenly be a weapon up the seam and in the passing game, but he had a nice rookie season as an undrafted guy and has room to grow.
One of the best parts about rookie minicamp — coming up in a couple weeks — is getting a first crack at seeing the undrafted guys. McLaughlin and Adkins both stood out last year. Brandon Johnson the year before that. But there’s also always some surprises, too.
The first step is to follow the money, but that does get blown out of proportion sometimes. The guarantees given to players like RB Blake Watson, S Omar Brown and Wyoming OL Frank Crum don’t necessarily mean they’re going to make the 53-man roster. It does mean, however, that they’ve been evaluated as strong bets for the practice squad at least. So start there and then let’s see what the other guys can do. Positionally, you’d think there’d be room for DL Jaylon Allen, ILB Levelle Bailey and CB Quinton Newsome to make some noise.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6039587</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TDP-Z-BoNixDenverIntroPresser-AP-03.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="213223" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Denver Broncos first-round selection in the NFL football draft quarterback Bo Nix looks over a jersey after a news conference Friday, April 26, 2024, at the team's headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-02T05:45:29+00:00</dcterms:created>
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<title>With versatile skill set, new Broncos CB Kris Abrams-Draine will compete for significant role as rookie</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/01/broncos-cb-kris-abrams-draine-nfl-draft/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ryan McFadden]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 12:00:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latest Headlines]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
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<category><![CDATA[Damarri Mathis]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Denver]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[George Paton]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Kris Abrams-Draine]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Missouri]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[More Broncos News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Pat Surtain II]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Riley Moss]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sean Payton]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.denverpost.com/?p=6038340</guid>
<description><![CDATA[While Kris Abrams-Draine’s conversations with Denver were limited, his game tape was enough to sell general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton on the idea he could be a valuable asset in Denver’s secondary.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Denver Broncos caught Kris Abrams-Draine by surprise on Day 3 of the NFL draft last Saturday.
The Missouri cornerback had only a couple of meetings with Denver during the pre-draft process, but that didn’t stop the organization from selecting him in the fifth round.
While Abrams-Draine’s conversations with Denver were limited, his game tape was enough to sell general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton on the idea he could be a valuable asset in Denver’s secondary.
A wide receiver-turned-cornerback, Abrams-Draine has solid ball skills and versatility to play inside and out. And with uncertainty surrounding Denver’s depth at outside cornerback, he has a chance to compete for a significant role right away.
“I’m just blessed to be in this opportunity,” Abrams-Draine said. “I waited on it all the time. I kept faith.”
For Missouri cornerbacks coach Al Pogue, the foundation of Abrams-Draine’s success in the league will be his playmaking skills. During his four-year career with the Tigers, Abrams-Draine had a nose for the ball, recording 33 pass breakups and seven picks in 39 games.
In 2023, Abrams-Draine recorded a career-best four interceptions and averaged 1.3 pass breakups per game, ranking first in the SEC and fifth in the nation.
“We always said that we want to finish on or with the ball,” said Pogue, who has been at Missouri since 2022. “If Kris could put his hands on the ball, it was more than likely that he would come away with it.”
Pogue said Abrams-Draine has a good understanding of spacing, timing and knowing opposing wide receiver routes. That’s because he was a receiver not too long ago at Spanish Fort High School. He closed out his prep career playing quarterback in 2018, totaling 723 passing yards and rushing for 1,745.
At Missouri, Abrams-Draine played five games at receiver as a true freshman before transitioning to defensive back in 2021. The move was seamless as he recorded four tackles and two passes defended in the season-opener against Central Michigan.
He finished the season with a team-best seven pass breakups and three picks in 13 games (10 starts).
“I feel like (cornerback) is more (of an opportunity that) I can show my athletic ability,” Abrams-Draine said. “I just feel like it was an easier transition because I’m a competitive person, so I never turn down a challenge.”
Abrams-Draine’s versatility helped make him attractive to the Broncos. He played 664 snaps at outside corner, 72 in the slot, 16 as a free safety and 60 in the box in 2023, <a href="https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/players/2023/REGPO/kris-abrams-draine/124194/defense">according to Pro Football Focus.</a>
The Tigers put him in the slot on their nickel packages to open up their defensive playbook, according to Pogue. He was also used in the return game, totaling 603 yards on 29 kick returns at Missouri.
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Even though Abrams-Draine was drafted a year after Denver took Riley Moss in the third round, Paton stayed true to his belief that a team can never have enough pass rushers and cornerbacks.
The question is what Abrams-Draine’s role will look like as a rookie. He has all the tools to be a solid rotational player right away. But in Denver, he has the opportunity to have a larger role. While Ja’Quan McMillian seemed to have solidified himself as the team’s primary nickel cornerback, Abrams-Draine could put himself in the mix to be a starting outside cornerback. Damarri Mathis has something to prove after getting benched in 2023. Moss is inexperienced after barely seeing defensive snaps as a rookie. And newly-signed cornerback Levi Wallace hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2021.
Abrams-Draine didn’t expect the Broncos to call his phone last Saturday. But now that he is in Denver, there’s a chance he can make his impact felt immediately.
“I think it’s going to work out really well (for him),” Pogue said.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6038340</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AP23316048842128.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="240508" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (7) defends against Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 36-7. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-05-01T06:00:05+00:00</dcterms:created>
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<title>Broncos All-Pro CB Chris Harris Jr. officially retires after 12 seasons</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/30/broncos-chris-harris-jr-retires-nfl/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ryan McFadden]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 21:53:58 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Denver Broncos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latest Headlines]]></category>
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<category><![CDATA[Chris Harris]]></category>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.denverpost.com/?p=6038090</guid>
<description><![CDATA[From being an undrafted rookie to a Super Bowl champion, Chris Harris Jr. has done it all.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From being an undrafted rookie to a Super Bowl champion, Chris Harris Jr. has done it all.
Now, he feels like it’s time to look forward to better things. The former Broncos cornerback officially announced his retirement Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NFL.
“I just felt it’s time to close that chapter,” Harris told The Denver Post. “I got a lot of opportunities coming up and I just wanted to focus on the next phase of my life.”
Harris spent nine seasons in Denver, where he played in 139 games, totaling 518 tackles, 86 pass breakups and 20 interceptions. Harris, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/06/von-miller-chris-harris-nfl-all-decade-team/">2010s All-Decade team</a>, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and named first-team All-Pro in 2016.
Harris was a prominent member of the “No Fly Zone,” which is considered one of the best secondary groups in league history. Harris, alongside Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward, frustrated offenses, especially in 2015 when the unit played an integral role in the Broncos <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2016/02/07/von-miller-defense-carry-broncos-to-super-bowl-50-victory/">winning Super Bowl 50</a>.
“It was nothing like it, man,” Harris, 34, said. “We probably had the best chemistry for a secondary. You could’ve put us up there with the Legion of Boom. The only way we were going to win games was if the No Fly Zone was going to come out and make plays.”
Following Harris’ time with the Broncos, he spent two seasons with the Chargers and played in 10 games for the Saints in 2022. As a free agent for the last two years, Harris kept his options open in case a team needed a veteran cornerback or safety.
“I felt like I could still play (and) wanted to make sure I still gave myself a chance,” he said.
Harris said he has no regrets about what he accomplished during his time with the Broncos. He hopes the franchise can return to its glory days.
Harris believes head coach Sean Payton can get the Broncos back on track, calling him a coach players love to play for.
“I’m excited to see his plan going forward,” Harris said. “He’s a guy that you can put your trust in. We might not have instant success but I think he is going to build (the team) in the right way.”
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</a>
</li></ul></aside>
Randy Gradishar Day: <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/02/08/randy-gradishar-pro-football-hall-of-fame-broncos/">In the wake of former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,</a> Gov. Jared Polis announced that May 3 has been declared “Randy Gradishar Day” in Colorado. There will be a special proclamation reading held at the State Capitol building’s west steps on Friday at 2 p.m. when Gradishar will be joined by Polis and Mayor Mike Johnston.
Broncos not expected to pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option: A source told The Denver Post that the Broncos are not expected to pick up newly-acquired quarterback Zach Wilson’s fifth-year option of $22.4 million, which would’ve kept him under contract through the 2025 season. Instead, he will hit free agency next offseason. Denver acquired Wilson in a trade with the New York Jets ahead of the NFL draft last week. Head coach Sean Payton said Wilson, Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix will compete for the starting quarterback job.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6038090</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TDP-L-BRNRAIDERS_122919EL0232x.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="155343" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) runs on to the field prior to the start of the game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Denver Broncos hosted the Oakland Raiders for the game. ]]></media:description></media:content>
<dcterms:created>2024-04-30T15:53:58+00:00</dcterms:created>
<dcterms:modified>2024-04-30T19:46:43+00:00</dcterms:modified>
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<title>Keeler: If Broncos want Julian Edelman, Mines legend John Matocha is up for switch from QB to WR. “Anything that can help the team.”</title>
<link>https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/29/john-matocha-julian-edelman-broncos-rookie-camp-invite/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sean Keeler]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 01:54:57 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[College Sports]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Mines legend John Matocha has Jared Goff's Wonderlic score, Patrick Mahomes' 40-yard dash time and Russell Wilson's eye level. But whatever Broncos coach Sean Payton wants him to do, he's ready. And willing.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
Because it’s <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EdelJu00.htm">Julian Edelman</a>, naturally, there’s a catch. <a href="https://minesathletics.com/sports/football/roster/john-matocha/13666">John Matocha</a> hasn’t played receiver before. Like, anywhere.
“Never,” the venerated ex-Mines quarterback and NCAA all-time leader in total touchdowns told me Monday. “When I heard the comparisons of me to Edelman, I was a little surprised, because I’ve never played receiver. I definitely see myself as a quarterback.
“But if an NFL team says I should, I will never say no.”
Look, if the Broncos ask him to cover punts, he’s game. If they tell him to hold on field goals, groovy. If they want him to <a href="https://www.denverbroncos.com/photos/thunder-denver-broncos-mascot-2353853#d78b9b38-b1a3-44b0-81a7-b2dbf3a72fbd">clean up after Thunder</a>, he’ll bring a shovel and a smile. If they need him to get coffee for coach Sean Payton, he’ll rev those 4.8-in-the-40 wheels toward the nearest Starbucks.
“I definitely think I’m a quarterback. But I’m a team player,” said Matocha, who on Sunday <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/28/john-matocha-broncos-rookie-camp-invite/">got an invite to the Broncos’ rookie mini-camp in May.</a> “And I’m willing to do anything that they tell me. Or anything that can help the team. Or anything I can to get a spot. That’s really what my main goal is.”
Matocha’s been decorated more times than the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. The 2022 Harlon Hill Award. Ten All-America nods. One hundred ninety-one scores with the Orediggers, 162 of them through the air. He’s got Jared Goff’s Wonderlic score (36), Patrick Mahomes’ 40-yard dash time … and Russell Wilson’s eye level (5-foot-11).
It’s the last part that’s the rub.
“I know the concern people have with my height. I know that’s the one thing holding some people back,” Matocha sighed. “I hope everything I’ve shown on the field and everything I’ve shown on pro day can speak for itself.
“I can’t do anything about my height. But I can show off my arm.”
And his legs. Matocha’s spent the last five years winning everything in sight — he’s the only QB to ever lead Mines to an NCAA Division II national title game, and the dude did it twice — and throwing his 5-11, 180-pound frame around like the second coming of Floyd Little. The nimble Texan rushed for 11 scores as a freshman in 2019 and seven more as a sophomore in 2021.
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He averaged 4.2 yards per carry as a senior and 3.7 as a collegian. <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2023/12/05/john-matocha-john-elway-colorado-mines-qb-ncaa-football-preview/">His accidental, airborne tribute to John Elway’s Helicopter leap </a>in a game against Central Washington last December went viral. His unofficial 40 time is around 4.86. Which is better than Spencer Rattler’s 4.95 at the combine, by the way, and not far behind Sam Hartman’s 4.80. In 247Sports.com terms, Matocha’s not just a quarterback. He’s an athlete.
Just not a particularly tall one. Which is where the Edelman projections come in.
“I’ve definitely heard that whispered around, some people have told me (that),” Matocha said. “Honestly, I’ll do whatever they need me to do.”
He’s a software developer by day and an optimist by night. Matocha was a first-round pick of <a href="https://www.tylertech.com/about-us/about-tyler/locations">Tyler Technologies</a> in Lakewood in February after wrapping up his grad work in computer sciences.
For months, he’s lived a sort of double life — <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UT8RkSmN4k">an IT guy</a> chasing the NFL grail. While prepping in Colorado, he worked from home Mondays and Fridays, worked at the office Tuesdays-Thursdays and trained like a demon in the evenings at Pivotal Sports Performance in Parker.
“(Tyler) has been absolutely amazing,” Matocha said. “They’ve been supportive of me the whole time. … It’s been a blessing to go work for them and get experience and have that kind of security while I’m chasing a dream.”
On Wednesdays, he chases volleyballs with his Tyler teammates. On Thursdays, it’s ultimate frisbee.
“Honestly, some of those guys are in ultimate frisbee leagues and doing whatever during the season and they’re way better than me,” Matocha chuckled. “I’m definitely not the best ultimate frisbee player out there.”
He’s probably not the best quarterback in a room that’s already got <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/26/bo-nix-broncos-nfl-draft-pick-qb-meets-media/">Bo Nix</a> and <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/04/22/zach-wilson-bo-nix-michael-penix-jr-denver-broncos-nfl-draft-2024/">Zach Wilson</a>, but by <a href="https://minesathletics.com/sports/2018/6/20/blaster.aspx">Blaster</a>, he likes his odds. So do the Broncos, apparently, who called over the weekend to extend an invite. Denver was among a handful of teams that attended Mines’ pro day in March, and Matocha got in front of more eyeballs when he threw to ex-CU wideout Xavier Weaver during the latter’s pro day in Boulder.
“With the Broncos, I feel like being a local helps,” Matocha said. “I know a few (scouts) from the Broncos who have been to Mines games and have seen me play. I felt a real confidence on my pro day. I think I had one incompletion and I was able to show off my accuracy. And at the local pro day, I felt really good — during drills, I was hitting every spot.”
Although, by his own admission, even this roster’s a long shot. The last Oredigger to crash an NFL camp, according to the athletic department, was <a href="https://minesathletics.com/sports/2016/6/14/mines-football-history.aspx">offensive lineman Jackie Crisp, signed by the Jets in 1994.</a>
Matocha’s been living from couch to couch, a wandering wunderkind, until the football side of things crystalizes. If nothing else, there’s an offer in his back pocket from the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. As fate would have it, Tyler Technologies has an office up there, too. Although the ultimate frisbee won’t compare. Neither will the views.
“Sometimes, like on draft day, I would say to myself that, ‘I wish I could be a little bit taller,'” Matocha reflected. “But I’m certainly grateful for every opportunity. Who knows? Maybe if I was a little taller, maybe my arm wouldn’t be as good or I wouldn’t be as quick. Everything works out the way it’s supposed to. I have no frustrations at all. I’m extremely blessed to be in this position.”
He laughed. Just because a QB’s already got a dang good day job doesn’t mean you ever pass on a dream.
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/newsletter-signup/broncos-insider/">Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.</a>
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6036315</post-id><media:content url="https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TDP-Z-mines-angelo-state-football-db-120421-1001-A.jpg?w=1400px&strip=all" fileSize="237918" type="image/jpeg" height="150" width="150" isDefault="true"><media:description type="html"><![CDATA[ Colorado School of Mines quarterback John Matocha, (10) celebrates on the sidelines during the second half of the quarterfinal playoff game against Angelo State Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at Marv Kay Stadium. The Orediggers won the game 34-26. ]]></media:description></media:content>
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