Last year’s record: 5-1
OPEN CAMP: July 27, Englewood.
LAST YEAR: Head coach Vance Joseph’s first year was debacle in every phase. Denver’s anemic offense cycled through three quarterbacks during a soured season that included an eight-game skid – the franchise’s longest in a half-century – and featured eight double-digit losses. An exhausted defense surrendered too many points and special teams were anything but special. General manager John Elway thought about firing Joseph but decided to give him second chance, and then bolstered roster.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Case Keenum, DE Bradley Chubb, RB Royce Freeman, WR Courtland Sutton, WR DeSean Hamilton, RT Jared Veldheer, LB Josey Jewell, CB Brock Tramaine, S Su’a Cravens, P Marquette King, part-time pass-rushing coach DeMarcus Ware.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Aqib Talib, QB Trevor Siemian, RB C.J. Anderson, TE Virgil Green, WR Cody Latimer, ILB Corey Nelson, QB Brock Osweiler, strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson.
CAMP NEEDS: The Broncos need Keenum to stay healthy, first and foremost, because behind him are two players who have a combined four NFL starts, all by Paxton Lynch. The former first-round pick will be duking it out with 2017 seventh-rounder Chad Kelly for the backup job in a toned-down version of the QB derby that’s been an annual rite of summer in Denver since Peyton Manning retired.
EXPECTATIONS: The Broncos haven’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1971-72, and they have every intention of returning to the playoffs in 2018. Having Chubb as a cohort should make superstar LB Von Miller even better, and Denver’s infusion of offensive talent through the draft and free agency should take some pressure off a defense that’s been carrying the team for three years now.
Associated Press
