Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - BRONCOS SQUAD SHOW: Final Roster Battles & Key Decisions Ahead of the Preseason Finale

Episode Date: August 25, 2026

The Denver Broncos are ramping up for their final game of the NFL preseason and there are a lot of decisions that need to be made. After a grueling loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Broncos will look to bounce back. Will Bo Nix and the starting offense play? If so, how much? Plus, there are plenty of questions surrounding the construction of the roster, notably at tight end, backup quarterback, cornerback and other positions across the field. Join Aniello Piro, Cody Roark, Sayre Bedinger and Nick Ferguson as they breakdown the latest news and notes on today's Locked On Broncos Squad Show. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gusto Try Gusto today at gusto.com/LOCKEDONNFL, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. KALSHI For a limited time,Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10. Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl! #squarepod Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I'm an I, Lopiro, and Cody's back. Cody or Camile High Sports here. Big week for the Broncos as they look to wrap up the preseason, but also make their final 53-man roster cuts. Sarah Bedinger, and hey, do we have some trades on the horizon, maybe some fireworks before the start of the season? I'm Nick Ferguson. I don't want to be Debbie Downer,

but there are a couple of things that the Broncos need to shore up on both sides of the ball. All right, let's dive on into it. on today's Locked-on Broncos Squads show. Let's go, fellas. From the South Stans, it's the Broncos Squad. Everything Denver Broncos every week. Covering all the big hits and game-changing plays from the Mile High City, the way only the Locked-on podcast network can.

Gear up and squad up. The Broncos Squad Show starts now. Good morning, Broncos Country, and welcome on in to your Locked-on Broncos Squad Show. here on this Tuesday, August, the 25th, creeping closer and closer to the start of the regular season. Two preseason games down. One more to play with. And the squad show is back to full strength as Cody Rourke is back in the mix.

What's up, fellas? How are we doing? Last week of preseason, let's go. Let's get it out of here. I missed you at the game, bro. I know it's different. But, you know, I think in this situation, it was a good game to miss for, you know, the goats last, last ride.

So here we are. We're back. Love it, love it, love it. Well, a lot to unpack on the program today, as we alluded to the final week of the preseason. Some roster kind of implication is very much at play here. We'll go over with Nick had to talk about as well with things that Broncos are going to need to clean up between now and of the start of the regular season. So we'll get after it and we'll make sure to cover all of our bases here on today's program.

If you're watching on YouTube, hit that like button. smash that subscribe button really helps us out here on the channel. Okay, I wanted this to Cody here quickly. I know you've done the standard shows with Sare, but we did our little week two preseason recap there on Friday night. It seems like there's some percentage of Buraco's country that thinks the sky is falling, which is not new. And there's the other percentage, which thinks it's all going to be okay in its preseason.

Like just kind of your quick thoughts on what happened in the second preseason game for Denver. I mean, yeah, I felt like the starting offense came out. They were probably the one real bright spot early on. Obviously in this game, two possessions for Bo necks, 10 points. You'll take that almost any time. But I think for Bo coming back his first time since the injury, you wanted to see, you know, what were his vibes like? What was his mental like?

I felt like all of that was pretty good. He did a really good job early on. I think even evading a pressure that Ben Powers slipped on one of his blocks, allowed some material penetration, Bo was able to scramble and run out without taking, you know, any unnecessary shots. And so that was really nice. And obviously the connection to Jaylon Waddle, that was nice.

The defense, once again, I think on that first series, you know, a couple of chunk plays, but really not getting off the field on third down. You had the encroachment penalty that obviously brought it up. You give up a fourth and, you know, fourth and inches conversion as well. Just some things to show up, I think communication wise with that unit. But I was more so disappointed with what we saw from the second and third team units, more than anything in that game. But they got to figure it out this week because a lot of those guys are fighting for roster spots.

And I think it maybe kind of hit the pause button on some guys. Maybe we thought we're like, all right, they're going to overtake this guy in this position competition. But that's what you get the final week of the preseason four. And ultimately the team is going to use that plus the overall body of work. Is their determining factor into who they decide to bring on the 53 after this weekend? That makes sense. Nick, how does that kind of feed into what you were talking about?

I know I think some of the points that you brought up about like things they need to clean up have to do with the starters. And obviously did a good breakdown on that defensive play that resulted in the touchdown for Greenback. on their first drive of the game. So kind of looking at the first team defense, but also kind of to the point that Cody made of like, maybe guys that we thought were locked for the roster that maybe is maybe a little bit different now and deepfrogging people on the roster.

Like what do you kind of make of just the state of the roster as we head into the final preseason game? The Broncos have a great roster top to bottom. Obviously, every single year in training camp, they're always going to be positioned battles. And guys that you may have pen sued in, not wrote it in pen, but penciled in to kind of be in a particular position that they're going to find themselves on the outs.

And that's where we are. And as a guy that played in the league, when we had four preseason games, you have more opportunities to really show in case what you can do with three preseason games. It's not enough. And a lot of guys are running out of time. And the reps in practice are very minimal. And even the reps in the game are very minimal. But the coaches and the scouts have to make decisions based on what it is that they see.

And the starting guys, I want to go back to that video that I posted. It's a problem that hasn't really been fixed as of yet. Communication. And when you play at home, you know the crowd is going to be loud, especially once you get down in that red zone. Let me tell you guys that the decimal level goes out of the roof. So trying to talk to someone, I mean, you could be sitting right next to me and you still won't be able to hear me.

So for me, I would like to see Robert Livingston and Vance Joseph in practice. don't have the guys talk at all. Use hand signals because that's exactly what is going to be like when you play at home. Obviously, when you play on the role, there's a difference. And on that particular playing question, it was amazing to see how many guys were looking at Alex Singleton and they seemed to be confused as far as what to do,

what was going to be the check, what was going to be the level of execution. So if they are able to fix those types of issues, it's going to be okay. Now, one of the bigger things that people were talking about, was how Green Bay outrushed the Denver Broncos. And to me, that wasn't on the first unit. The first unit played well as far as I'm concerned. It's the run game.

And Zach Allen being one of those guys, he is highly underrated on this team and the whole entire NFL based on this he brings to the table because even though he's not like a Miles Garrett, Aaron Donald, flashy type guy, he's just kind of a blue-collar worker guy. I mean, you see him pressing the pocket. He's fantastic against the run.

He's fantastic against the past. And he's going to be one of the key Cogs to the Broncos having a great season. You don't want that guy to go down because you don't have John Franklin Myers. You have a bunch of guys that you're hoping can step into the fold and kind of give you that level of production. But you don't want to lose a guy like Zach Allen. So I'm not down on this team and I'm not down on the production. But to back up what Cody said, that second and third. unit defensively, you got some darn issues that you better fix.

There were some bright spots, though, too. I would say like the guys who stood out and Sarah, I want to hear your thoughts on this a little more of the law. I felt like guys like Q Robinson. I felt like Tyler O'Neum, Chris Abrams, Drane, and Reed, I felt like those were four guys that were in those units that struggled that I actually thought played well. It's just collectively, Nick, you know this as well. Like when one or two guys on a specific unit struggles, even on the offensive line, the rest

of the unit can struggle. I mean, it makes it harder for everybody on the defense. But I felt like those guys were some of the bright spots coming out of the poorest play that we saw with the second and 13 units. Well, here's what I've kind of had, as I've had time to digest that game, kind of the conclusion that I've come to is that this is one of the best rosters in the NFL on paper. I mean, obviously, you could put it up against any other team in the league. And I think the Broncos stack up, which we know is incredibly impressive because they built it with one of the largest dead cap hits in NFL history.

However, here's the little kind of twist that I want to put on it. I think that the depth of this team is fantastic, but there are some pieces amongst the depth that the Broncos are invested in their long-term future as opposed to what they can immediately bring to this team if they are called into action right away. Some examples of that would be Red Murdoch, Karené Reed, as Cody just mentioned, some of the defensive linemen, Savian Jones, Tyler O'Needem, how confident are you if these guys end up getting called into action?

On the other side of the ball, we now have some questions about the offensive line, even the proven depth pieces like Palschews, struggling in this game, or somebody who, you know, like Frank Crumb, this team has invested in his development struggling, even the starters dealing with penalties and that really ticking off Sean Peyton. So I think here's the thing that I, where I'm at, Justin Jolie is another guy that that I circled. And I put together, I just dropped a full 53 men roster prediction at predominantly orange and kind of just like thought, you know, brainstorming and

wondering like, okay, at this point, do we question whether or not a guy like Justin Jolie is a roster lock? And I'm not saying you cut him. What I'm saying is, is that you obviously have to think about the fact that you need to now reserve a roster spot for a guy who clearly does not look ready. And that means that you have to sacrifice somewhere else. What position does that end up being at linebacker. You don't have anybody on the team right now that I would say, okay, if Singleton or Sternad gets injured, this guy could step up and do a really good job for a long stretch of time. There's nobody on the team currently. So do you have to go make a similar move to what you did at safety? Because to Nick and Cody's point, what they're seeing

in practice from the safeties, they said before the second preseason game even started, it's not good enough. What we're seeing in practice is not good enough. We need to sign somebody now. And so that's what they did. And I can't help but wonder what's the next position to get that sort of treatment because the Super Bowl is on the line. You can take some leaps of faith in certain instances when you have that 85 million in dead cap money and when you're strapped and things like that. But when you have 35 plus million in salary cap space and there are players out there and you have 10 plus draft picks in next year's class, you better be aggressive in finding guys who can start for you if needed and be ready.

And I just don't know if they have all of that right now. They have future pieces of depth. Don't know if they have immediate pieces of depth. I think that's why they're going to be keeping their eyes on 31 other teams' pots coming up here, obviously, throughout this weekend and looking at the waiver order, there's going to be certain guys they pinpoint certain positions. I'm certain they'll pinpoint. I also think it's kind of one of the downsides of not having joint training camp practices.

Because remember the Broncos, what was it last year, two years ago, they had a joint practice against Green Bay and they're going against them and they see Christian Welch. Now, he didn't do much for them in the regular season, but he added a body at a specific position that they needed some help with due to injuries that Denver had early on this season. You know, to me, I don't think there's a free agent out there right now. I know Bobby O'Caricay would be one of those names that I would be interested in. But at this point, it seems like Denver, the move that they made with Taylor Rap, I think has more to do with the back end. I don't think it has anything to do with Devin Key or J.L. Skinner, I think it has everything to do with Tyson Anderson, Miles Scott.

Miles Scott, you can bring on to the practice squad more than likely. I don't think the Tyson Anderson experiment has necessarily worked out here. You know, we haven't seen much from him in practice. We haven't seen much from him in the games, even on the special team side of the ball, which really that's where he was kind of brought in, was to be a core four guy to see if he can fill that void. We've seen other guys kind of take the mantle and kind of run away with that. So I think 31 other teams rosters are going to be monitored pretty heavily here going forward because, yeah, I think you are, you do have some of those positions. And I feel like linebackers probably the biggest one right now that I look at and say,

okay, if something were to happen to Justin or to Alex, I don't feel comfortable right now and saying, okay, now this guy can go and fill in and play and you're not going to worry. That, to me, is where my concern is. But isn't that kind of frustrating because that was like that and running back where the two positions, I feel like we just pounded the table for all offseason, right? And obviously, like, I know Sean hates the term run it back, but like, they are running it back plus one with Jalen Waddle, right? And a couple of draft picks here and there. Like, it is very much the same core identity of this team. And so I completely, completely agree with you, Cody. But like, I can't sit here and be surprised that we're having to have this conversation on August 25th, right? Because we knew as soon, like Greenlaw didn't work out, right? We can kind of acknowledge that, move on. I think promoting Sternad's, the starting job. full time. Makes a lot of sense. And Singleton, I'm okay with them keeping, but not addressing the depth behind those two. Like that is, not even arguably, that's probably their biggest vulnerability

roster-wise. Like, because if like, Jakey Dobbins goes down, you got a couple of running backs that could step up. We know what the wide receiver room is, right? Safety's a little bit thin, too, but I feel pretty confident there. We know what corner is. And of course, both lines with the trenches. But like, if you lose one of Singleton or Sternod, man, I mean, that, that is red alert time for this Broncos defense. You know what? Let me take you guys. behind the curtain. Tell you what I think the Broncos were thinking as far as the linebackers. Yes, could they and should they have made some moves as far as the drafts are concerned? Yeah, could they add some other guys on rosters, once the cuts take place?

Yeah, that's something that they're thinking about. But they're looking at, okay, well, they're looking at the guys up front. What they can do from a pass for a standpoint. And the idea was that, hey, listen, we can collapse the pocket with Jonathan Cooper, of Jonah Ellis and more importantly, Nick Benito. So that may allow us just a way to kind of overcompensate for some deficiencies we might have at the linebacker position. Oh, by the way, if you were to lose one of those guys,

and operative word is lose one of those guys, you can't lose two. But in their mind, if we lose one, they have somewhat a built-in safety net. It may not sound ideal. And one of those things is, you know, you bring in Jadi Barron. as a safety, right?

And then you can move Brandon Jones or Talanoa Funga down in the box, right? Once again, it may not be idea, but remember you go back a couple of years when I play and Dick LaBow was in Pittsburgh. That's the same thing he did with Troy Palomalo move him down in the box. And guess what?

We all know, Talanoa Funga, you know, he loves, you know, playing like that inside the box and he can actually do it. In addition of Taylor Rap, it puts, you know, Miles Scott, Tyson Anderson, and J.L. Skinner all in the box because those guys had an opportunity to really show themselves, you know, so far in training camp. And none of those guys really elevated themselves. I mean, there were a lot of explosive plays on that second and third unit. So the Broncos say, look, we know we're in that window. We need to get someone out here who we know is started before. And Taylor Rep has 12 interceptions. And you match that with a Devon Key. It gives you, if you've asked Joseph, a little things to play with. It's not ideal, but you always look at your roster and say, well, if we're in a tight situation and someone were to get injured in the game, what can we go to?

And to me, that would be the go to for the team. Living the dime a little bit more, maybe in that situation, bring Hufanga in the box to kind of offset that, you know, light pressure load. I mean, that makes sense. I mean, and also in that situation, too, you put Jada, kind of that dime linebacker, and then you have Taylor Rapp, Bram. and Jones on the back end potentially. I mean, I think there's creativity that you can have with that. But that's the risk that you run, right? But I think that they have a plan.

We just don't know exactly what it is. You know, I'm sure they are accounting for like, hey, if this happens here, what are we going to do? Right. And I think to all of us right now on the outside looking in, it's like, do I have confidence in that? I'm not necessarily sure because the names at certain positions are, you know, don't necessarily have the most experience.

Like if Alex Singleton were to go down as the mic, right, is Red Murdochok. ready to step up and take that. Here's the thing with Red. Red knows the defense. He can align guys. It's just for him, the rookie side of it is stop processing too much, right? He can do all the things necessary.

It's just translating that mental into going versus just having to wait a second to react to that. That's something that Vance has talked about as well. So I'm with you. I mean, but once again, it's the preseason. I'm not worried about this defense in any way, shape, I'm not worried about the starters on offense or defense.

I'd say if there's any concern that I have right now, now is probably special teams a little bit. That might be my biggest concern with this team. I'm sure we can talk about that a little bit later on too. Yeah, and let me say this before we hit a break just in defense of the starting defense, no pun intended there. Like, it was this big of a sample size. Like, right?

Like if that's a full game, like the Broncos defense is not going to give up zero points the entire regular season. I think the reason we're kind of harping in on this is because like that is like the lasting impression we have from the starting defense in that second preseason. season game and more fiending for, you know, takes and things to process and digest when it comes to this football team. So it's like they're going to get scored on this year, right? Like they're not going to just give up field goals every single game, right? Like that's going to happen. So, you know, it's not the full picture of what this defense is going to look like. And thankfully,

we know what this defense is going to look like for the most part because we've had some proof of concept over the last couple of seasons. So give them a little bit of a break. I understand it was at least kind of a bad taste in your mouth. But I agree with Cody and the rest of the fellas. I think this defense will be just fine when it's all set and done. All right, let's hit our first break. When we come back, let's kind of continue along with the roster discussion. Sarah, you mentioned you did your kind of 53-man roster projection. I'm curious of some of the names that did not make the cut.

Are there any surprise cut candidates? We'll get into that back on the other side, right here on your locked on Broncos Squat Show. Back in just a moment, folks. Today's episode of your lockdown Bronco Squat show is brought to you by our friends over at Odu. Running a business shouldn't feel like you're trying to connect a bunch of systems that were never designed to work together. One app for accounting, another for inventory, another for sales, and somehow none of them talk to each other. That's where Odo comes in. Odo is an all-in-one business management software that brings every part of your business together in one powerful platform.

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They're great because they have a clear set of orders and they're all swimming in the same direction collectively together, right? The ownership does what they need to do at a high level. George Payton does what he needs to do at a high level. Sean Payton and the coaching staff do what they need to do at a high level. And of course, it's up to the players to execute from that point moving forward. So everybody's on the same page and everybody is pulling in the same direction. That's part of what makes the Dema Broncos so great and part of what makes Odu such an awesome option for your business. Great organizations win because operations matter, and that's why you should get O-D-O-D-O-O-O-O-D-O-O-D-O-O-com slash lockdown.

That's O-D-O-O-O-D-O-O-D-Clock. Be sure to check at our friends over at O-DU, guys, and let them know that Lockdown, Broncos sent you. All right, well, come on back into Lock-O-O-Broncos Squacho. Hope everyone is doing well out there in and around Broncos country, making our way one step at a time to the start of the regular season. College football starts up this weekend. So that's exciting. We're getting closer, ladies and gentlemen. We're getting closer.

I'm excited for that. But Cody, I believe you've been working on some fun stuff with our friends over at Locked on that you should let the people know about. Yeah, we've got the brand new Lockdown Broncos hits. You want short daily Broncos news content coverage delivered all that once you get that there. Just the short form thing. Plus you get content all across every platform.

Lockdown Broncos hit on all your platforms, also on YouTube and audio as well. in addition to the regular show, Sarah and I do, and in addition to this show. Look at him. He's everywhere. He's the jack of all trades when it comes to lockdown. I need two of me or something. I feel like. No, I know it's tough.

But it's a lot of work, but I know the fans and the listeners and all that, all those people are very appreciative of the work that you put in. So be sure to check out lockdown Broncos hits. We'll be covered from head to toe throughout the course of this regular season. Okay. Surprise roster cuts or just more so a continuation of this. roster conversation. I got to be honest, and I'll get to say here first,

just because you've done the exercise yourself. There's not like a definitive name that comes to mind for me, like right away, right? Like I'm pretty down on the tight end room as a whole, but I don't think Evan Abrams going to get cut. I remember that was a thought that I threw out way early in the off season. We've talked about some of these other positions. Like, there's going to probably be a couple of wide receivers cut just naturally

because of how many you have on the roster right now. But there's not like a glaring guy that seems to be like a surprise cut. I guess that's why you could that's why you call it a surprise right. Right. Yeah, I know 100% I think that's exactly it. It's like like the example that always gets thrown around is remember Todd Davis was cut, you know, a handful of years ago when he was in the starting lineup to begin training camp. And it was like, wait, what the heck? Like, what's going on? But then there's also the opportunity for trades and things like that. Here's what I have in my roster prediction here. And I'll get your guys's thoughts on

this as well. So I have a list of five players who I think give the Broncos roster flexibility. So seeing these guys get cut and then brought back immediately onto the practice squad as vested veterans would not be surprising at all. That would be Lil Jordan Humphrey, Adam Prentice, Calvin Throckmorton, Taylor Rap and Sam Ellinger. I don't think those guys would be surprising cuts whatsoever. But then I kind of did a little thought exercise of who could be the bottom five players on this roster, right? And players that this team has maybe invested in draft wise or development wise, I put Savion Jones, Justin J.L. Skinner, Frank Crum, and Red Murdoch. I had already cut Dallin Bentley. I already cut Miles Scott. I already cut Tori and York,

all those sorts of players that, okay, like that would be a little tough pill to swallow with some of these guys, considering you just drafted two of them and you gave the highest signing bonus and guarantee to an undrafted player ever in Tori and York. And it would be extremely disappointing to see somebody like Red Murdoch joined that list or frankly any of those players on that list, especially Savian Jones, who was a third rounder last year. But I'm interested in your guys' thoughts.

I think the Broncos have the flexibility to keep all those guys right now. I don't think they need to go to the outside for too many positions, but I do think those guys, I don't know where you guys would be at in terms of your last five in on this roster and if it would be similar to my list. But that's kind of what I had. And those five players, they made the team on my predictions. But at the same time, you know, I could see it going either way.

Yeah, it is interesting some of those names. I don't have Dallin Bentley making my roster or Miles Scott or Tyson Anderson. I do a Taylor Rap is kind of that fifth safety option. I've got Jordan Jackson making it over Sabion Jones. You know, unfortunately, we haven't seen too much from Savion. on. And there's always the hope that you can bring it back on the practice squad. But you haven't seen enough out of him just yet. Jordan Jackson is someone that we all know, the coaching staff is very fond of to the point. I mean, we go back to ESPN's article that Seth Wickersham put out where

Sean Payton was pissed that Jordan Jackson wasn't playing against the Buffalo Bills and the playoffs. So when you factor that into the equation, I mean, even some other numbers, I debated on going with 10 offensive linemen. I ultimately went with nine. There is a chance, though, right? Frank Crum is the only player we did not see return to practice this week. He was not spotted out there. So maybe Frank Crum, we don't know what the injury is. But the fact that he was not out there, I think, is not necessarily always a great sign. Probably going to miss sometime. He could be that after you make your roster cuts, you can put two guys on IR where they can come back in the regular season versus if you were to do it now, then they're done for the year. But you get two guys

that can return from that. Part of me is wondering, is that going to be Frank Crum is one of those guys, could Drew Sanders be one of those guys? I don't think Drew has done enough, unfortunately to even be even in that consideration. I think Drew's got to be a practice squad guy, plain and simple. So, that's kind of where I'm at. Go ahead, Cody. No, I'll say that's just where I'm at. Well, when we look at this situation where the Broncos are currently constructed, I don't think there are going to be any surprise cuts. I think the guys who are going to be released are going to be the guys we expect it for the obvious reasons. Either they're injured or we've seen very little production from them in practice and in games.

Drew Sanders is definitely one of those guys who has been both injured and hasn't really produced. So getting news of him being released, it wouldn't be somewhat of a shocker. And LaJordan Humphrey, like, I mean, talk about having nine lives, maybe even 10 lives, where he can survive, be released, go off to another team, and come back. And I understand why that's the case with him. And you want to be in that position if you're a player, because he is, for, familiar with Sean Page's offense. And he's perceived as being a big wide receiver, so that's a bigger body.

And I know he like big body guys. But as far as the offensive line is concerned for me, I don't think there's going to be relatively any shocks or whatever. I know Cage Casey, I like the kid coming out of college. I would like to see him play a lot more. You brought up Frank Crum. I mean, Frank Crum was a darling last year, especially catching touchdowns and probably proving to be the Broncos best tight end playing offensive on.

right so you know frank didn't play his best game against the green bay packers but i still feel as though there's some talent there's something there's something to be developed now when it comes to the safety position you know with taylor rap it would be quite unusual for the team to not say that they can't do it because things have happened in the NFL they could release it like he didn't play last week against green bay and that was because he was just coming into the foe. Now, how quickly a veteran guy like that can kind of get adjusted to the defense? We don't know, but I can tell you, even without Taylor Rap, even playing in the game against Green Bay, he was the fourth best safety on the Broncos roster. So when I look at J.O. Skinner,

and I've talked to some other safeties who play the position too. And there's nothing that we've seen from J.O. Skinner to give us an indication that he's done enough to make this roster. So how much he's going to play in the game on Friday against Minnesota? I don't know. But he needs to show up in a massive way because if he doesn't, how does he make this roster? I mean, you've been on this team three or four years. At some point, you can show who you are. When Kate and Stern's came here, and Kate Stearns was a rookie, right?

Kate Stearns was injected into defense right away for Fickfantio, and he was a young guy, and they had a multitude of different things. We haven't seen that same in acumen from J.O. Skinner. So the way this Ross is going to break down is definitely going to be interesting, but I don't think there's going to be massive surprises and like you're alluded to.

They're going to be some guys who are going to be relieved. I think of who brought back, and I would say, because right now, even with that fall point in the Falcons game, he's outplayed Talibade. Yeah, I've got them keeping three running backs. I do too, yes.

I think we know the three, right? Yeah. Easy. Not even a debate. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. So McLaughlin and I've got them carrying, I got little Jordan Humphrey making the roster as a six receiver. I think I need that,

but they do it flexibility because he is a vested guy, but. My girlfriend was at the game on Friday, and she's like, she saw like a Tyler Bidajor. I wish I'm like, that's kind of crazy. Like, I don't think I've seen a Tyler Bada. That was probably his girlfriend. that's what I thought. And she's like,

I thought someone just spelled batty wrong. And I was like, oh, it was so hilarious. I was like, she's like, Badee? That's how you say it.

I was like, yeah. Just a fun, fun little side. All right, can I get spicy? Really quick. Really quick.

What did you guys think of Will Shepard with the Green Bay Packers? Because he was on here with the Broncos. He was nice. He made some nice plays. It's amazing what you could do when you leave see you and Dion's stuff that they got going on over there. You go out of shine. Why did you go there, Cody? That's what I'm saying. He loves.

He loves that stuff. I mean, go docks. I wish they played Oregon again, so Oregon can smack them. Oh, boy. It's going to, it's going to be a long season for them CU buffs this year. I didn't know that something to get you started. I just asked you about Will Sheper, and you talk about Coach Bride. No, no, I said, C. I said, it's amazing what happens when you leave C.U. You can actually go on and blossom. It's personal. Yes. I'm not sure you should do it. Travis Blossom. Travis was a unicorn. Jordan Seton's blossoming in LSU. Yeah, because he got away from CU.

No. I think Jordan Cian, I think Jordan C.m was a shoe in to be a top 10 pick even when he was with C. I don't think he would have been if he would have stayed to C.U. Oh, boy. You're a hate man. I guess we'll never know. No, I'm not a C.U fan. There's so much hate this man's heart, bro.

I'm not a C.U fan. I don't hate anybody. Once again, I'm saying, I told folks back in 20, 23 when they were talking, oh, so you's going to dog walk Oregon. And I said, it's not even going to be close, guys. Like, it's a different level. Like, yes, you had the two weeks. And then Bo Nix, Troy Franklin, what's up?

There you go. It's all I got to say. Hey. Sean Watson's starting. Free Shador, bro. Cleveland is terrible, bro. Oh, my God. All right, let's hit a break.

When we come back, I'm just going to start rapid firing some names, man. There's one guy. I brought him up a little bit earlier. Like, is there a consideration that Broncos would part ways? We can also get back to this backup quarterback conversation as well, which I know has Broncos country in a choke cold. All that more when we come back right here on your lockdown Bronco Squacho. Today's episode of your lockdown Bronco Squacho is brought to you by our friends over at Indeed.

When workplace chaos hits and you need the right hire, Indeed sponsored jobs helps connect employers with candidates who match specific needs like skill, certifications, and location. So less time gets spent searching and more time gets spent finding the right fit. people are finding quality hires on indeed right now in the minute i've been talking to you guys companies like yours have made 27 hires on indeed according to indeed data worldwide let's take a step back here a little bit in the time machine right broncos find themselves kind of in this weird state of quarterback you know prison for lack of a better phrase they can't figure out a long term quarterback

they can't figure out a long term head coach they've got a good defense but they're kind of spinning in circles right well the broncos absolutely positively got the right hire when they brought in Sean Payton to be their head coach. And obviously, that was a long, drawn-out head coach search process. And they land on Sean Payton after checking all their boxes to do all their research. And they make the right hire. And hiring Sean Payton has completely changed the trajectory of this Broncos organization. The draft bone nicks, they make the playoffs, right?

They're in the AFC championship game last year. Sean Payton and the hiring of Sean Payton is critical to the success of the Denver Broncos as it's currently constructive. right and the right hire for you and your business is critical to the future of your business. And our friends over and Indeed are going to help you make sure that you can hire the right candidate every single time. Spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes, less stress, less time, more results. When you need the right person to cut through the chaos, this is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs.

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Beavis calling Cody a hater in the chat. Mr. Mile High, Stephen brings up a good point too. that CU has one more championship than Oregon, too. Was Stephen even alive when CU won the C you, one the national championship? Who cares? That's what I'm saying. 34 years ago, congratulations.

Hey, one verse none, bro. Also, guess what? I remember my whole night money made a difference, bro. I remember in a bowl game, too, Oregon beating the breaks off of a CU, I believe it was my, my coach, Josh Line playing fullback with Joey Harrington that busted up the buffs. So, bang. You weren't even.

Even alive, Anilo, you weren't even alive. So what, bro. So what, bro. Can't claim it. I'm not even a CU fan like that. I just like defending them. All right, let's go. Top row.

That was a great team, though. That was a great team that won the national championship that year. But that's the thing that drives me like, I know the same is C.U. But that's the thing that drives me nuts is that this current iteration of CU, at least with the athletic program, those guys who made that program, what it was that year, they don't treat those guys with respect. They don't do enough for those guys. Like you got Dion blocking Chad Brown because Chad Brown's, you know, he's a national champion. He's outspoken. You know, he talks about C.

you. But like to me, I don't know, treat your alumni that puts C you on the map better. That's my thing. That's the issue I have with. Well, really quickly, Cody, just for the record, C.C.U didn't really truly win that national title because they did get extra down. I'm just saying. I'm just putting up there. Anybody's better than Nebraska.

I'll say that. There we go. Wait, Sarah, are you a cornhusker fan or no? Heck no. You're Iowa, right? He's an Iowa hot guy. Yeah. All right, Nebraska.

Oh, man. I can't wait for college football season this year. It's going to be so fun, though. Belichick on Saturday out there in Dublin. I'm not worried about Belichick. I mean, that program's kind of in shambles right now. I ain't tripping on them. Yeah, no, it is.

All right, let's get back to our program in the Denver Broncos. You know, I'm just going to start firing from the hip because we're talking about roster cuts. Make sure your aim's right. Yeah, you know, there's been some surprises. I'm using a shotgun, so we got a nice little wide, wide spray here. They asked Evan Ingram to take a pay cut in the off season, he refused. When you ask a player to take a pay cut in the off season, that, in my opinion, translates to some reservation about player long term with your team.

I've been pretty underwhelmed with Evan Ingram, not just from last year, but even through training camp and just practicing all that kind of stuff. I wonder if there's a world where they just outright cut Evan Engram. I don't think that's going to be the case, but I do wonder if that's in consideration. I do. Not even a thought, not even a consideration.

Absolutely not. I just don't know what they would do. I mean, they're trying to tight end screens to Adam Trotman in the preseason. And I mean, that ain't going to work team, you know, though.

What does Ingram do? Right? You're playing pretty good in the preseason. Yeah. You're saying something. Are you not? So Ben Powers isn't going to start at left guard for this team? Well, that means that tells you that he's not going to have a long longevity with this team.

But he's going to start. Well, as far as he's going to start. Right. He's going to start because they don't have anyone else in waiting. Right. He's their best option by far. Oh, Pal Chesky started 10 games last year at left guard. They drafted Cage Casey, who they feel can start.

I think it's all about this year in those two guys instances. And that's fine. Like, I mean, there's reasons that we don't know yet for whatever's going on behind the scenes that those two guys were asked to take pay cuts that could obviously deal with on-field ability, but also Powers was dealing with an injury last year. And then another one that we just found out about, like months of the fact. Yes, and he had the second or third highest cap hit on the team. So, of course, you go to that guy and you say, hey, like you were hurt last year. You didn't play. I mean, when you came back, you got hurt again.

like we have to figure this out and what works for the team and like the Broncos have other extensions to be taking care of. So they want these guys. I think they want them on the team. It does speak volumes to a guy getting asked to take a pay cut, but even Peyton Manning was asked to take a pay cut, you know, and he did. And he,

you know, the team to the Super Bowl. I know he was the corpse of Peyton Manning getting dragged there, but his play had diminished to the point that I think you can justify saying, we have other guys that we need to bring on to help this be the best team possible and to build for the future. So you have to make sure. But Evan, to me, what we've seen from Evan, especially against Atlanta. Yeah.

That was a different guy. I mean, he's playing in line. He's blocking guys. Hold on, Sam. Come on, Nick. Let's go. Think about what you just said. You know, hating on Evan Ingram.

Wait, wait, no, no. This is not hating on Evan Ingram. This is just spit in real facts. We both, we all know when Evan came here, everyone was so excited. He was supposed to flip the tight-in position, but it didn't happen. There were games where he was healthy.

He stood on the sideline, and we saw Adam Trotman in the game, right? Because they wanted to block more. Because if a team comes to you and they ask you to take a pay cut, your tenure with the team is really short at that point because they're feeling, because of injury or the lack of production,

guess what, like Sarah said, we can give that money to someone else. And look at the tightening room. They're like eight guys in that freaking room. So they're telling you that you were not good enough. And we've seen it. And for me, I don't want to kind of, I don't want to be down on Evan,

but let's be totally honest. The Broncos look great offensively against Atlanta Falcons. It was different against the Green Bay Packers because Atlanta Falcons don't really have a lot of depth, right? And we saw the depth that Green Bay Packers had. And on that seam route, and that was kind of like the best route we saw of Evan Ingram, right? He checked, he looked inside, and he ran the seam route.

It was the same route that Jared Stidham was trying to throw to Lucas Crowe that was picked off, right? The same route that we saw the week prior, we saw Evan Ingram trying to run that same route, and he ran it with success. So right now, we're not seeing the best of Evan Ingram. They're not seeing the best of Evan Ingram. That's why you ask a player in that situation. There's two situations when the team does it, when you have an injury and when you

haven't played well, the reason I know it happened to me coming off of my second knee surgery. They're going to come to you. Hey, listen, but you take a pay cut. And any player, any one of us on here, even the people in the chat. They're going to say, hell no, I'm not taking a pay cut. You got to cut me. Where was it reported that Evan was told he had to or was asked to take a pay cut? I'm forgetting now, but I thought he's talked about the officers.

Hold on. I think everyone was saying they should ask him to take a pay cut. I don't think he was ever asked directly to take a pay cut. Whether they did or not, he should have. He would have told him to kick rocks like Nick just said. I mean, because he has other options out there. And frankly, the first year, in Denver didn't go well.

So, like, that would have ended poorly, in my opinion, if it did transpire. And I would say this, like, if you cut Evan before the start of this season, what the heck are you doing at tight end? Yeah, it didn't happen. You didn't go after anybody until fifth round. So he's had a good training camp and he's had a good preseason early on to showcase. So I don't even think that's even like a remote possibility. Does he make the team because the team doesn't have adequate.

options at the tight-in position or he's their best option by far it's not even close yes and that tells you you don't have the guys on your roster now maybe davis webb's going to change like that davis webb's perspective on it is entirely different with happen compared to maybe sean's approach with him well we're going to see that but cody that's only because they were teammates and he's going to try to get his teammate involved with sean we've seen it Sean wanted to see he saw something in Evan Ingram thought he was going to get it, realized he wasn't getting it. And then like I said, there were several times last season he's ever stood on the sideline and he wasn't really involved in the offense.

So it has to be something more that we're not preview to. Well, the question is, was that the right call by the team? Because everything that we've been reading this offseason seems to indicate that they're kind of realizing like part of that was our bad. Like we, it was a career low percentage of snaps for Evan. It was sporadic at best involvement. It didn't help the offense to have him there. And I think that when he did get opportunities, he really capitalized on those.

I mean, he, yes, he had the highest drop percentage of his career. But I think that that might be even somewhat understandable when you consider the fact that he really never knew when he was getting the ball. I mean, and that's part of what he said was his learning process. last year was kind of just like, hey, be ready whenever your number is called because it's different than what when you rack up 114 catches or whatever it was two, three seasons ago in Jacksonville and they're throwing you the ball 10 times a game. I mean, it's way different in that instance when you're expecting the ball and when you're not. So I mean, there's things that you can either excuse away or justify, but to me, that first

preseason game either felt like you could, if you're depending on how you view it, you could look at it as they showcased Evan in what he can do because they put him in line. They put him in line. They asked him to block and he did. And then he caught the pass. And then you could view it as like, well, it wasn't a showcase. It was a proof of concept that like, oh, we actually can get this guy involved in the offense.

And I think that it's a matter now of I'm surprised more people, what we're talking about Evan, I'm surprised more people aren't talking about Troy, Troy Franklin. Yeah, he's playing deep into the second preseason. in game with all the backups and everything. So probably nothing to read into. It may just be because there's injuries at that position. But I'm honestly, for the first name to come off the hip, I feel like Evan is a very, if he was cut,

I would be floored. Like, yes, and that's why we're talking about surprise cuts, right? But that would be, that would not only be surprising to me. It would be infuriating to me because of, he is the only quality option in the passing game. on the roster right now. And let me say this.

I think Evan Ingram is making this team. I don't think Evan Ingram is in much danger of being cut. Like it's just like if we're going to talk about like surprise cuts, like that's a name just because relative to underperforming relative to what type of money they could save against the cap if they did cut him. That's a name that I think is interesting. But I agree with you because they don't really have a plan B. Like when Troutman, like Troutman's like fine, especially in the pat or in the blocking game.

Like when it comes to passing department, this and that. And ultimately, here's what I will say. I think Davis Webb will be the ultimate saving grace for Evan Ingram, right? Like they're tight, played together in New York. Like I think Evan is safe. But if there's a, if there's a name, right, like a notable name that is, you know, could be a candidate for surprise cut. I think it could be Evan Ingram. That's, that's, that was the point of the thought with Ingram in particular.

I think he's okay. Evan, Evan Ingram hasn't gotten better from his blocking standpoint. He hasn't. I disagree. Well, we got it on tape. in a preseason. Okay. This last game against Atlanta.

He helped open up RJ, I mean, not RJ Jonah. Technique wise, he's been a lot better. Okay. He's been a lot better. The thing what I'm talking about is inconsistencies. And this game is all about how consistent can you be. You don't want to be consistent at being inconsistent. Because here's the thing.

When Evan is on the field, you kind of know defensively what the Broncos offense is probably going to do. and maybe somewhat of a pass, right? Adam Trotman, you know, Atkins, they're running the ball. There was a video that Mark Slurred put up where he criticized R.J. Harvey And say that it was R.J. Harvey's fault. And I'm like, no, it wasn't. If you go back and watch that play, the officer line got no movement.

In that particular play, Evan Ingram was to the right. His job was to cut off the defender. Troy Franklin came into the play. his job was to dig out the safety. Both of those guys ended up being pushed back into the play. And I'm thinking like, wait a minute, I played with Shannon Sharp. Sharp wasn't the best blockers. The one thing he knew is body position.

And all you have to do is put yourself between a defender and a guy running the ball. And what you need to do is just drive him off the ball. Just drive him off the ball a yard or two. I'm not seeing that. Now, you guys may be seeing something. else, but I'm not seeing that consistently. And that is the thing that I'm talking about because defensively, you put Evan in the game and I'm playing against him.

I'm not thinking run, right? I'm thinking it's a pass. And if he tries to block me, I'm going to drive him back into the backfield. That's where I want to see the evolution of Ingram. That's what I was hoping to see. But I haven't seen it in a full display like we all thought. That's my point. I didn't expect everyone.

He does that. Yeah, hello, waiting on AP over here. Yeah, no, I think to close that out, like somebody in the comments, Jammin says you didn't sign Evan to block. Like, and I agree. Like, you have to, you have to get what you wanted to get out of him. He has to be a competent blocker. But who amongst, who will hear amongst us?

The tight ends for the Broncos last year was a competent blocker. Like Evan, Evan shouldn't be discarded. because he wasn't the most consistent blocker in a room full of tight ends that sucked at blocking last season. Like, like, they should utilize him to his fullest skill set and challenge the entire room as blockers to say, hey, like, it wasn't good enough last year. We tried perimeter running. Look at our RJ Harvey ranked 42nd out of 47 running backs in terms of perimeter running success rate. Like, that's on you guys. You guys stunk and not Evan stunk.

he played 40% of the snaps. Troutman, you were out there for 70%. And Adkins, when you were healthy, you were a featured piece of the offense. And like these other guys, like, are you telling me Lucas Crowell again this season? Are you saying Jolie is going to be able to do better? Are you saying even Bentley,

who haven't seen anything from Bentley or heard anything at all? He is going to be a red shirt guy. That's going to be a game day and active most of the year, I feel. So that's your succession plan right there. It's like, Yeah, but Sarah, you know, the biggest issue for the Broncos has been the inability to run the ball, right? And it hasn't been solely on just running backs. Bo Nix, he averages about 39 passing attempts a game.

That's utterly ridiculous. You're trying to make sure you keep him healthy. So when you have Evan Ingram on the field, if you want to use his skill set, you know what? You open them out. You flex him out. You keep him outside the numbers because. putting him inside where he may have to block in a running situation, he hasn't done a great job.

That's what I'm saying. He hasn't done a great job. And if you're going to have him on the field, you have to maximize his ability. I mean, if you want to just say, well, you're going to throw it to him every time. Yes what? You're telling the defense, hey,

that guy's going to identify whether they're in pass or run situations. That's all I'm saying. I'm, if you got to tell me something, show it to me, but I'm not seeing it on a consistent basis. I retweet. I retweet. I'm with you, Nick. That's how usually it goes with this show.

Like Nick and I usually, you know, Nick and I are usually on one side, Cody and Sarah on the other. And we'll see what happens. And I want to say, right, most of the time last year, let me just say, every time you guys said, oh, they're not beating the Packers. Oh, they can't beat the bills. I don't feel good about this. Guess what?

I was 15 and 3 on Broncos predictions last year, 15 and 4 after the AFC championship game. So how I'm saying is I got a pretty good track record there. I'm not right about everything. But look, I think that in this instance, it's like, so I don't know, I guess I don't even know what's the conclusion. As the conclusion say, hey, it's time now to cut Evan Ingram. No, no. No, that's not what's the point?

Oh, but the point. The point is pointing out how other defensive figures identify right away what person they're grouping you in. If everything is on the field and what you potentially will do. And if you run the ball with him in the game, guess what? Chances are you're going to have a chance to defeat that play because he's not a great blocker at the point of attack. His blocking just needs to improve and it hasn't. Let me ask a question then.

In the sample that we have right now, 26, two preseason games, who was the inline tight end on the best run of the preseason? Evan Ingram. But once again, what I'm saying is. Okay. A broken clock. Broken clock is right twice a day. Or maybe he got better. Maybe he accepted the challenge and it's like, this is how I get on the field more.

Okay. So you got one play on one particular run and that's it. Right. So for me, I actually have two. I posted it on my Twitter. Okay. Two plays. My argument is consistency. Right.

Two is not consistent. It may sound that, but you have to do something all the time, right? That's part of being a pro. You have to show that you can do it a multitude of times. You just can't do it every once in a while, no, right? Because once again, for me, I get tired of listen to people blame the running backs because the Broncos run game is not on track. And I'm like, no, it's not solely their fault.

You have to be able to reestablish a new line of scrimmage, even though Evan Ingram, in this case, may have done it a couple of times. That's not his forte. I just want more consistency. It felt like the run game and the two preseason games has been, you know, it's heading in the right direction compared to where we were at last year watching the run game in the preseason.

We got to hit a break real quick. Let's do that. We'll pick up where we left off. We'll put a bow on the show when we come back right here on your lockdown Bronco squad show. All right, well, come on back in. Mission accomplished. I was just looking to get everyone fired up, to be honest with you. I'm like, okay, we're talking about this.

safety and this and that. I'm like, let's get a little controversial, right? Let's like this match and like the fuse. I think we accomplished that. Here's the one thing I will say, just kind of in general. If we're not going to be critical to the defense for one bad drive, I don't think we can overblow one good block from Evan Engel. Right?

And like it's less about Evan Ingram. I think it's fair to say. Why don't we got to move the goalposts on either side? Why can't we say what it is? Talk about it. Why can't we say, why can't you assume that's the new normal? We're assuming Pat Bryant's raised the floor for himself. I know he's a young player, but we're assuming he's raised the floor for himself, correct,

based on what we've seen, based on it, it's just training camp. Well, it's just one play. It's just two blocks. So, like, yes, we can say, oh, it's just two blocks or it's just one throw. But it's like, man, I mean, that was what we didn't see last year. And you immediately see it in the first preseason game. I'm not saying that he's going to be Rob Grunkowski out there dominating as a blocker and a receiver. But what I'm saying is, is that I agree last year it was,

obviously not good enough for him to be on the field, a, you know, even 50% of the time. And the first thing that we saw in the preseason game was them saying, you need to go out there and make a couple of blocks. And he did. Like if he had, if he had blocked poorly, would you be saying, oh, same old thing from last year. Absolutely you would because that's what we saw last year. But because it's different and the sample size is small, we can't say, well, it's going to be good from now on or it's going to be better from now on because it's only two blocks. that that I get frustrated about because you can't be you can't be positive about it because we didn't see it in last year's larger sample but if it was bad in the small sample this year then we'd be able to use that as confirmation that what we saw last year was the accurate version of the player that we're getting you guys are making me squeeze the butter I'm squeezing the butter over here whoa whoa you never squeezed no butter before man no no no there's no he's in the gutter.

But here's the thing. What kind of metaphor is that? There'll be a high standard for him based on what we've seen early on. It even goes back to what Bo Nick said. Bo even said it to Kay Adams this year. You know, Evan's been more involved. He's been more of a willing blocker. That's the one thing that, you know, we've seen in him that's probably going to be a little

bit different compared to last year, you know. So that is going to hold him to a higher standard early on the season. And look, he's not going to win every block. I mean, he's going to be undersized in a lot of those matches. But the thing about blocking, it's not always about physically manhandling. It's can you get to the. right angle. Can you get to the right seal point? Can you get to the right, you know, part where you can get inside enough to where you can kick the guy out by just using your leverage where

you're at versus just physically dominating and burying dudes in the dirt? I love that Evan buried the defensive end and then jumped on top of him like an offensive lineman does. Like to me, it's like, all right, like for Evan, that's something he himself, I've had conversations with him and others. That's something he wanted to do a little bit more of. He's embracing the role that they put out for him. But I feel like we spent so much time on the tight end position. I think we should definitely end the show by talking about the one topic everyone in Broncos country is debating about right now. That's the backup quarterback job right now. That seems to be the most hot topic right now with this team. And here's the thing. I'm not entirely

sure where they decide to go from your eye because I think like you get both ends of the spectrum. Preseason week one, Jared Stidham, crisp plays unbelievable. And then the next week plays terrible. And we can say that. He plays. played awful. You stared down the safety. I mean, it was almost like, Nick, if you're that safe, you're like, ah, thanks for helping me make a roster because I'm reading this. I'm getting the pick. I'm getting the money down there. So I was just disappointed with the decision-making process. But also, here's the thing, too. I don't think Sam Ellinger has even gotten the proper shot to even get the reps necessary to try to beat QB2. I mean, I thought after Bo's series,

we're going to see Sam first because Jared played the whole first half last week. Here's my solution. Here's what you do this week. If Bow plays a series, great. But I think you should alternate these QBs every series for the rest of the game, this next game here, versus one guy getting a hat, this guy getting a quarter. Go every freaking series. That's my, that's my solution. Look, man, Jared already had his opportunity, right? It almost seems like they've given it to him, though. That's the thing. That's the problem, right? Like, I always tell fans, you may not believe what I'm about to tell you, but it's true. It's same thing happens. And family. Same thing happens in corporations. Same things happen. And football, there's a bias.

Someone has a buy-in on a guy, and they want that guy to win that competition because it makes them look good based on a decision. We know Jared Stedham is a career backup. I don't think anyone is going to sit here and tell me otherwise. We saw what we saw in the Patriots game. And we could say, well, you know, he didn't start, you know, all season long. No, you've been on a roster. You know, the offense. Everyone was goal team Stitty, but Steadie didn't show up when you needed most. So when we look at the Falcons game, I look

back at it and saying, well, that was a little fool's goal, right? Because when you look at Stidham's stat line, 40 of those yards came from that deep shot to Cortland Sutton off the left side against the Falcons. So it's like, well, how do you show up against the Falcons and you look the way that you did? Come back

and gets the Packers and it's entirely different, right? The Falcon's that bad or the Packers that good? Or you look at the quarterback and say, well, maybe he's just is who he is. And the problem is that they didn't give Sam an opportunity, right? And I think someone was just forcing us to kind of force feed us, Jarrett Stederman. I'm thinking that's wrong. If you wanted to be a competition, oh, I'm sorry, Coach Payton said there wasn't a quarterback

competition. But there is because your backup quarterback is important. and you don't find out until the starter gets injured. So this shouldn't be a possession for possession type of game for both Sam and Jared. No, you gave Jared second quarter and third quarter. Give Sam this entire time. Let's see what he can do because you have to make a decision. Because you need to know after this Minnesota game, is it Jared?

Is it Sam? If not, you need to move on from both of. All this. All this, just for them to keep three QBs under 53-man roster. It's a waste of a roster spot, in my opinion. I think so, too. Can I offer a theory here as I've got the butter in hand? What are you churning up here, buddy?

Yeah, I've got something churning over here. Oh, my God. I want to offer a theory that there's been a reason behind why they haven't said that there's a QB2 competition. And it's a difference between savings of two and a half million in salary cap savings. If the Broncos cut Jarrett Stidham, it's $4 million in cap savings. If they trade him, it is a draft pick plus $6.5 million in savings. And so why would you bring that guy's value down by openly saying, yeah, his job is up for grabs?

Like what you're saying when you say his job is up for grabs is that we don't think he's the guy for the job anymore, essentially. Or like, you know, he's he's too old. He's 30 years old for a backup quarterback competition. So I think the Broncos might be preserving whatever value he has left for a team that might be desperate for an upgrade like Detroit. Do they need a backup quarterback? Does anybody out there need a better backup quarterback than what they have? Because I think the Broncos, what they've said about Ellinger all offseason. indicates to me that they like Sam Ellinger.

What they've shown on the field in practice reps is different, but what they've said about him and what they believe about him and what he said by signing back with the team is that he thinks he has a pretty decent shot. So to me, I still have Stiddy on Trade Watch, and I think that what we're seeing right now, it doesn't add up because of that potential still out there. And the devaluing of him that it does, if you immediately put him in that competition or even put him down the pecking order a little bit.

Here's the reality, too, folks. The Broncos lose Bowdo Nix for any stretch of time, not good news, period. Like, regardless, it didn't matter if it was, you know, Zach Wilson as your backup quarterback. I think in today's NFL, it's a lot harder than what we saw maybe 10 years ago with guys like Nick Foes stepping up when Carson Wentz went down. Brock Osweiler stepping up. Here's the thing with Brock.

The Broncos had a really good run game that year, Super Bowl 50. and they also had a very good defense. That helped offset some of the things because there were times where Brock was great, and then there was times where Brock was just kind of middle of the pact in some of those games that he had to fill in for. So the reality is lose your QB, man, you're in trouble, you're screwed. Unless it's Derek Carr. Someone said Derek Carr. I mean, would Derek Carr come out of retirement.

I mean, you would still essentially. You would have to trade for him. You would have to trade for him if he came out of retirement. Do you think the Saints would trade him for that cap hit? I mean, be insane. Yeah. Would Darrysum Hill? Bronson.

Keep an eye on Tassum Hill. No, please God. No. Wait for that, bro. That would not surprise me either. That would not surprise you. And Ellinger on the active, Taysam on the practice squad could happen.

That's what I'm with you. I'm just saying until I see those retirement papers submitted from T. Hill, I think there's always a chance. If he ain't come out for no trying to kit, yeah, he ain't coming out. Cody needs butter. Cody needs butter. If you could avoid training camp as a player, you definitely want to avoid it at all costs.

Oh, yeah. That's like a pipe dream, but guess what? You know, you need it. That's why, I mean, Taysom's body not having a physicality of the callousness ain't going to help him. Well, I tell you what, Taysam Hill is a better tight-in option. I didn't say quarterback. Yeah, there you go. Any tight-in on the current roster. Jack of all trades. Whoa. Who you got? Who you got? Who you got? Who you got? I mean, I would take Evan right now.

Our. No. No. No. Wow. You better squeeze that butter some more. I am. It's right here.

You guys have had me out squeezing the butter the whole episode, the whole show. Hey, down here. You better start churning out some butter because, no, that is not true. I'm going to get a second butter. Then the next. No, taste some here. You got, this whole conversation is making me want to stick a fork in one of these light sockets over here, man. I don't know where.

Oh my God. Hey, if you do it, we can't help you. We can't help you if you stick it in the light socket. We can't help you. Hey, mission accomplished. I love making Cody mad. It's like my favorite thing to do. Like when Cody gets riled up, it is one of my favorite signs.

Oh, I could go on some rants, man. I love it. I love it. About the trauma bond us all right here. No, I think we did a good job. But, no, really fun show. Really fun show. Real quick, just before we get out of here.

How much do we think the starters are playing on Friday? I would say a series, at least, series or two. Okay. Because they haven't, if they, if they would have had a joint practice this summer, then I would say, no, they're not playing. Yeah. Because Sean, I think it was like heat of the moment. I want to play those guys until the third quarter, you know,

after they lost last week. I think that was prisoner of the moment, like I said. But yeah, I think we'd expect them probably similar to what we saw last Friday. And also, you can expect Brian Flores to blitz. That dude is a single. believe, yeah, he's a monster. Right. I'm also sure, I'm also sure he doesn't like Sean Pagan because wasn't there that

story where Flores was the Dolphins head coach and there was kind of this like attempt to, you know, get him like Sean and Tom Brady to Miami. Yeah. Well, don't also remember that was the whole issue of the, the lawsuit that Flores filed against the league in the Denver Broncos. So listen, man, this game is going to be. Zero blitz from the very first play. Yes, they're going to blitz.

Personal. That son of a gun, man. Go out there, please, though. Oh, man. All right, well, we'll be back on Friday night to break down the game. We'll see what happens with the Broncos. We'll obviously keep an eye on the roster situation, everything else as it pertains to the orange and blue.

That's going to do it for us on today's program. For Cody, Rourke, Sarah Bennett for Nick Ferguson. I am Anilo Piro. Thank you guys so, so much for tuning in. We'll talk to you guys Friday night. Peace out. Y'all, have a good day. big question should ex-NFL learn