Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos Focused On Closing Gap In AFC In 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos' 2024 season was a success. But for Broncos GM, George Payton, head coach Sean Payton, CEO, Greg Penner, the idea and the goal is to close the gap inside the AFC in 2025. We'll tell you our main takeaways from the Broncos end of the year press conference here on today's episode, Locked on Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Broncos Country, what's happening? Welcome into another episode of Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network,

Starting point is 00:00:41 your team every day. Thanks to all the everydayers out there, the first listeners out there in, Broncos Country, who tune in and make us part of your day, however you choose to do so. Thank you for making the show exactly what it is. I'm Cody Roark, Broncos reporter for Mile High Sports,

Starting point is 00:00:55 joined as always by Sarah Beniger, site expert, predominantly orange.com. And look, Broncos Country, got a lot to break down and digest here on today's episode of the show. Just a reminder, every day we have you covered, even in the off season, because for the true fan, there is never in off season. And we got a lot to talk about here. Obviously, at the end of the year, press conference held by the Broncos' brain trust of the front office. CEO Greg Penner will wrap things up on today's show by highlighting his goals for this team, maybe an update on the new stadium idea and the rumors going on with that. On top of that, Broncos, GM, George Payton says the Broncos need to find that secret sauce. What might that be? What are they looking for? How are they going to approach free? agency and more importantly, Sean Payton. We also hear from him talking about how he believes that the Broncos found their franchise guy in Bo Nix and things he wants to see going forward.

Starting point is 00:01:44 There's a lot of breakdown here on today's episode of the show. So, Sarah, let's kick it off, my friend. Obviously, any of the year press conference was there in Dove Valley. And, you know, we got to meet with Sean. And look, Sean, I think you get a different vibe from him almost every time he has a press conference. Like on the Zoom calls, you know, he can be very laid back. he can be very in detail.

Starting point is 00:02:05 Press conferences, you know, after a game, he seems to be very open and reflective, whether it's a win or a loss. He seems to be a little more grumpier even when they win, and he seems to be more revealing when they lose. But the end of the year press conference, I felt like we got just a true reflection. And look, we even got a little bit of that feisty Sean Payton that we know and love. Yeah, the feistyness coming when he was asked about the difference, obviously, between this year and last year.

Starting point is 00:02:28 And of course, last year at this time, Russell Wilson was still on the roster. and Sean Payton did not mince any words, Cody. As a matter of fact, I have the quote pulled up right here for everybody if they want to know exactly what he said. He said, we are a lot closer than we were at this time at the end of last season. That was misery, sorrow, drudgery. And then he's like, give me some other adjectives there. That was brutal.

Starting point is 00:02:51 Let's say that. So, yeah, not mincing any words, certainly letting it be known that a year ago at this time was kind of a dreadful time for the Denver Broncos because you kind of knew, going into the off season, we're going to have to take some serious lumps this year. We're going to have to make a big time decision on Russell Wilson. We're going to take a lot of dead salary cap. And so it's a way different vibe, but the different vibe and the reason why I think he can feel

Starting point is 00:03:18 the freedom to say that now is because obviously now you've got a franchise quarterback in Bo Nix. And the confidence that Sean Payton and George Payton and Greg Penner all seem to have in Bo Nix is it should be the prevailing theme of everything that we talk about in this episode today and the offseason going forward. Yeah, and look, to be honest with you, you know, Sean reflected on Bo Nix and, you know, obviously you saw the toughness, you saw the leadership. We've heard from players this week as we've demonstrated here on the show,

Starting point is 00:03:50 Broncos Country Listening, they've heard from players like Mike McGlinchie, Quinn Miners, and what they think about Bo Nixon and how Bo really kind of captured that locker room. You could definitely see that theme from the Broncos front of office, the admin side of football and obviously led by Sean Payton. And there was a lot of just like, you know, he works hard. He's very accurate. You know, and he even touched on maybe some things that, you know, can be an area that he goes on and improves on.

Starting point is 00:04:13 And I'll see, you know, if you haven't seen it on social media, there's a new meme that Sarah, you know, thank goodness for Sarah. He finds those things. He creates it. It was almost like John Payton kind of pulling like the blue, the blue arrow, Jamal Murray type thing. And that's going to be the thing that's going to circulate on social this year. You'll see that there.

Starting point is 00:04:29 But really when it comes to, like, like where the Broncos are at in terms of being able to build towards being successful, Sean Payton said it plain as day. He says, you know, I think we found that player that will lead us relative to being successful. And that's the stamp right there. Boom, punch it in. Bo Nix, the franchise quarterback. You and I talked about this on a couple episodes ago here on lockdown Broncos,

Starting point is 00:04:50 how you and I both said like, hey, Bo Nix is the franchise guy. And a majority of Broncos country, I would say about 98% are on the same exact. Of course, there's the 2% that aren't convinced just yet. but I think with what we've seen from Bo, how he's been able to transform this offense without really a consistent run game has been a big factor that. But the run game,

Starting point is 00:05:11 you and I've also highlighted as well as so important here for this offense, if it wants to take the next step in terms of for Bo Nex to continue to grow and develop, you need to have a run game. You need to have a running back. So could the Broncos go with a Belcal type of backs there? Well, I don't know. Based on what Sean Peyton said, Cody,

Starting point is 00:05:30 it seems like they're going to, as he said, stack the running back position. And he was kind of, you know, like, I don't know that there's not, there's not that many bell cow backs in the NFL anymore. He talked about how you always, he's used to using multiple, right? He's used to using two. He's talked about throughout this last season, how he's not really used to using three, but certainly two. And that goes back to a story that he told about, remember when he drafted Reggie Bush, his first class with the New Orleans Saints. And the owner in New Orleans is, like, hey, Sean, like, we already have Deuce McAllister on the roster. Do we really need this guy? And he's like, well, Reggie Bush is a different type of back. So I feel like what he's alluding to here, Cody, without necessarily saying it, is the fact that the Broncos want to have a variety of types of backs

Starting point is 00:06:16 in their backfield stable and to potentially, hopefully, be able to rely on at least two of those guys to carry the load. Because here's a staggering stat for you that my friend Javier over at predominantly Orange pointed out, in one third of the games, the Denver Broncos played this past season, Bo Nix was the team's leading rusher in one third of the games. That's terrible. That's pathetic. And it's not like Bo Nix had a couple 120-yard games. I mean, in one-third of the games for your quarterback who, I mean, wasn't getting many designed runs after week seven, Cody, that's pathetic for this Denver Broncos team. And it's a reflection more on the running back position. So could it be a bell cow? Absolutely. Very well.

Starting point is 00:06:58 could be. We know the Broncos went after Josh Jacobs last year. They could go after Ashton Gentie this year. It could be Caleb Johnson. It could be Omari and Hampton. But if it's not a bell cow back, I think you're keeping your options open to say, hey, we could have another Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush situation, or maybe it's a, you know, Alvin Camara, Mark Ingram, or whatever duos they had there in New Orleans. I think it's trending that direction. Well, one of the things, too, he highlighted. He's also asked about the Joker role. And look, he acknowledged that the Broncos do have. several candidates for that role that are already on the roster, he said, but it's just really

Starting point is 00:07:33 about trying to figure out who can fit it, who can do everything that's required. And that may be the emphasis here for the Broncos. Do they have a player on the roster that can become that Joker role, right? That's been the question for the last year and a half, almost two seasons now. Or do they go out and they find a guy that obviously fits that prototype already versus you have to wait for that guy to develop into that? That might be a really big emphasis here. But I'll say I think Sean highlighted the lack of not having that type of guy, definitely is something that has limited the offense, has hurt the offense because he says,

Starting point is 00:08:03 you know, when we've had that guy, we've had some really good offenses, you know, throughout his coaching career. So that's going to be the next step is them really trying to find that joker. And going back to the point about running back,

Starting point is 00:08:14 this could see it, we can see a total revamp. I don't think that they're going to bring Javante Williams back. I think there will be some competition. I think Jalil will be back. I think guys like Tyler Badegh, guys like Blake Watson, they'll compete. But I would not be surprised that the Broncos go out there.

Starting point is 00:08:31 And let's say they try to get a guy like Aaron Jones. You know, Aaron Jones could be maybe that guy that makes the difference here in this scheme. Because, you know, you look at it. People always throw out the ESPN's run block win rate, you know, success, things like that. But it's like, okay, well, if the Broncos rushing output in production doesn't reflect what you're seeing in terms of them winning in terms of their run block rate, well, then that means it is an issue with vision. It's a player issue where the running back simply haven't been good enough. So I think it's a combination of both.

Starting point is 00:09:01 I think it's a combo of scheme. I think it's a combo of personnel. And it has to get better. And I think that that's a position group that Sean is probably going to change an overhaul a little bit. And I think it may look very different here in 2025. You know, obviously we got a lot of insight from him. I found it a little more interesting to what he had said about, you know, he said,

Starting point is 00:09:20 obviously, like this year, I'm proud of the team that we had. he said, I'm disappointed in the end result. We didn't play to our potential in that last game against Buffalo. And he said, you know, if we played to our potential and we found a way to win that game, he said, I really liked our chances, really in that next game, which would have been a matchup against Kansas City. So really, that's the theme. The Broncos, you know, I think the question was like, is there a clear gap?

Starting point is 00:09:45 And he said, you know, in the first half, there wasn't. There wasn't a clear gap. He said in the second half, there was a clear gap. He said the lines were very clear at that point. but just the confidence that he believes that this team is very close. Yeah, which is great to hear. I mean, the last thing you really want is I guess the chief's having Bolton board material against you, but at the same time,

Starting point is 00:10:04 I think he's right. Like even Greg Penner said, we probably should have beat the chiefs twice this past season. And he's right about that because you had a block field goal, a fluke play that happens less than 5% of the time in the NFL. And obviously, this team is, I think it's a lot closer than a lot of people want to acknowledge right now, Cody, because a lot of fans are, well, the Broncos had this record in one score games and the Broncos got blown out by, you know, the Ravens and the bills. And it's like,

Starting point is 00:10:31 yeah, I mean, you're right about that. But I mean, again, to Sean Payton's point, for the first half of both of those games, they were right there. They were right. And it was just a couple of plays. That was the difference between, hey, they broke the, you know, in baseball, you score a bunch of runs in one inning. Obviously, the game's almost over at that point. It's like you break it open. And that's what the Bills and Ravens did against Denver. It wasn't like from start to finish. They just clobbered them, you know? So I think that that's one of the encouraging things about this year.

Starting point is 00:11:00 And this team knows, Cody, they feel it. They are ready to compete for the AFC West. Yeah. And look, that's a big goal obviously for Broncos, GM, George Payton. And so much of Denver closing the gap inside the AFC and even in the division, the AFC West is going to be predicated on an important offseason. How will the Broncos utilize $52 million in cap space? Broncos GM, George Payton gave us some great insight on the team's approach going into

Starting point is 00:11:24 and free and see we'll break that down and much more here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos podcast is brought to you by our friends over there at Fandu. And as you all know it, Fandu, they are America's number one sportsbook. And this weekend, it's a big weekend. It is the NFL divisional playoffs. And there are some big time matchups on Saturday and on Sunday. And Fanduil is the perfect place to get in on the action, especially as a new customer.

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Starting point is 00:12:41 That's fanduil. Make this playoff season unforgettable with Fanduel, an official sportsbook partner. the NFL. Denver Broncos general manager, George Payton said the team is going to be looking for that secret sauce. Broncos country, what could that be? What's the secret sauce in the 2025 off season? It's one of the biggest reasons why this is shaping up to be probably the most fun off season we've all had together in a long time. And you know what? We can't thank you enough for being with us every single step of the way. So for all you every dayers out there, mile high salute to you. We appreciate you so much. You know that your boys, Cody and Sarah,

Starting point is 00:13:18 got you every single day here in the offseason at Lockdown Broncos. And if you haven't already done so, hit subscribe on the show and get us in your algorithm. Get us at the top of your feed because we're going to be bringing you the latest about this secret sauce that general manager, George Payton talked about because everybody's asked, you know, George Payton, Sean Payton, Greg Penner, what is it going to take to get you to that to close that gap between, you know, the other teams in the AFC right now? And George Peyton is, you know, he's been at this for a long time. George Peyton has been closing the gap, his whole career, Cody. The guy has had to deal with Aaron Rogers in the NFC North.

Starting point is 00:13:57 And now obviously Patrick Mahomes and the AFC West. So what is that secret sauce? Let's bring up George Payton's quote about that here and now as we talk about this. I mean, obviously he's encouraged by the progress that this team made. But to get up there with the Baltimore's, the Kansas cities, the Buffaloes, in the AFC. I mean, the Broncos do have to find whatever that secret sauce is. Maybe it's something that Sean Payton even alluded to with that Joker role.

Starting point is 00:14:25 Yeah, look, I think the Joker role could definitely be part of it. Offensively, that's the case, right? And look, we've seen it. The Broncos, they can compete and play with Kansas City. They did it for a full game. It came down to a blocked field goal. Bo Nix let a potential game winning drive there and got them set up in field goal position, converted on a clutch third down to Cortland Sutton against Trent McDuffy.

Starting point is 00:14:44 but the one thing I'll say is that like against Buffalo you saw the jab you saw the throw to Troy Franklin never goes up seven nothing they can compete they just got to find a way to sustain against maybe some of these teams that have you know some better personnel in certain situations more firepower and so much of that I think is just it varies by opponent I think clearly we look at buffalo their size on the offensive line their physicality definitely made a difference and it wasn't necessarily the Broncos D line just getting punked I also think it was a combination of the bills did a great job focusing on trying to neutralize the Broncos best approach defensively. That was that rush. That was that front seven that they had. So you saw a lot of

Starting point is 00:15:24 double teams. But the issue was also linebackers not being able to come up and feel quickly and also have to respect the ability for Josh Allen to throw it all over the field. So we talked about linebacker a few weeks ago. Defensively, you think linebackers can be a big emphasis for them the season. I think that's the case more so than it is safety. Look, I know PJ Locke's been getting a lot of flack from fans on there. You know, when you go back and you watch the tape, it's like PJ's covering a long part of the deep part of the field. But then when you see other guys come open because of the scramble drill, especially on

Starting point is 00:15:53 that touchdown there that Josh Allen threw on fourth down, it's like, okay, where's the laps at? Like, how is he supposed to cover this deep angle and then have to pick up this guy? He's got two guys. He's got to choose between at that point. It's tough. Now, I think Denver's issues are more so linebacker related than they are safety related.

Starting point is 00:16:11 I actually feel better about Denver's safety position, I think, probably the most people at this point. I think PJ is also going to be a very big part of that success that they're going to have next year. I think if they add a linebacker that can go sideline to sideline, rangy, that might be the secret sauce defensively. But I also think being able to run the football set, that's the secret sauce on the offensive side. Go and get you a back that can do that. Go get you a back that is going to be that change of pace guy that is going to see the whole

Starting point is 00:16:38 get skinny and explode for a big run. Denver didn't have too many of those. I mean, you mentioned Denver's best rushing performance of the season setter, I think, was against the New Orleans and Thursday night football between Javante Williams, Bo Nix, Jaliel McLaughlin getting some run. Like you saw some promising things in the run game from them. That was probably it. So there's a lot to improve on obviously in that category.

Starting point is 00:17:01 And I think a running back might be the secret sauce. Devere can't compete. Let it not be mistaken. They can compete. They have to find a way to sustain and be able to deal with a counterpenter. punches as teams like Baltimore and Buffalo are going to throw at them. Well, and if they can compete now, just imagine what it's going to be like, as George Peyton confirmed that, I mean, whatever website we reference, Cody, we don't need to

Starting point is 00:17:24 necessarily reference them for the time being because George revealed that the Broncos have 52 million in cap space. So if we thought that they are competitive at this point, just imagine what they're going to be able to do with 52 million in cap space. And obviously, George isn't going to come out there and say, yeah, we're going to go after all the big name free agents, he's going to take the diplomatic approach and say like, hey, we're going to be measured in free agency. And then he points to, you know, X, Y, and Z, all these different guys that when we take

Starting point is 00:17:54 a measured approach, we're successful. Brandon Jones, Malcolm Roach, you could go to a number of different guys. And he even said Malcolm Roach might have been their best addition that they made this past year. So look for him to maybe have an even bigger role in 2025. But when he talks about taking a measured approach, he couldn't help but also sneak in there. Like, we can be aggressive in spots or we could make a big splash if we want to. Like, we have the ability and the flexibility to do that. And I think the Broncos will, Cody.

Starting point is 00:18:23 Yeah. You and I have talked about this. I've heard from a number of people that have jumped into my mentions on Twitter saying, like, the Broncos, you know, they don't have the cap space to sign a T. Higgins. They're going to, their, all their biggest move is going to be resigning Nick Benito and Zach Allen. I don't know where that's coming from. I don't know why that would be assumed when you have 52 million in cap space. And so I just think George Peyton is kind of, you know, he's trying to make sure he tempers expectations a bit because if you say, hey, we're going to go after the best guys and then you don't get them.

Starting point is 00:18:54 Well, then you look bad. So we're going to take a measured approach and we could be aggressive in spots. Now all of a sudden it's going to, free agency is going to be a huge win. We're less than 50 days away, folks, from free agency already. I can't wait. Well, you know, and I also loved what Sean Payton said. He's like, you know, because he was asked about team needs. He goes, he goes, you know, we're not there yet.

Starting point is 00:19:14 You know, we're going to meet as a staff for these next two weeks. Then we're going to kind of come together and kind of see our approach where our biggest needs are. And he says, even when I know our needs, I'm not going to tell you what our needs are. Like, you know, he's a little feisty. I love that about Sean. I love that. Honestly, look, Sean gets a bad rap in terms of like how we can come across to other media members. I think Sean just has like impatience or just like he doesn't care about what outside stuff is in a sense, right?

Starting point is 00:19:38 Like if something is being said about the team externally and it gets brought up, he doesn't care. Like he dismissed like the odds maker. He says, I don't care about that. That's not something I'm concerned with. But like, Sean's always been good to me. You ask him like a logical question. Look, I understand there's just going to be times he's going to be asked hard questions. And I think he does give us.

Starting point is 00:19:55 I think he gives us great responses for the most part. But I just love the fact. He's like, you know, we're going to understand what our needs are. I'm not going to tell you. And it all goes along that line of thinking of ever since George Payton came in as the team's general manager, The leaks that used to come out of the building, they're not there anymore, which is great. Like loose lips, they sink ships. And that's been an alignment thing here for Sean Payton.

Starting point is 00:20:16 So it's like, that's why their relationship works so well. And now you have the three P's, the Payton, Payton and Penner Brain Trust that are on track, I think, to put the Broncos into a very good position here going forward. And yeah, can Denver find that secret sauce, whatever it may be? I like the chance that they could be measured, which, you know, is good with the sprinkling in like we could be a aggressive, right? Which that's what you want. Like, you want to have like, okay, we're going to make this move because it makes us immediately better, but then we're going to be measured in this regard.

Starting point is 00:20:46 Like, we'll be aggressive to attack this, but we're going to be measured with this because maybe it'll help us two years down the line. You don't want to give away too much right now. And Denver's not at that process yet where they fully evaluated everything. Coaches are going to take a little bit of a break. They're going to come back two weeks from now. They're going to sit down. They're going to break everything down.

Starting point is 00:21:03 And look, it's not just going to be about the rosters, the personnel. Like Sean Payton even said it himself is that. We're also going to evaluate our staff. So very curious what could be coming here for this Broncos team. Some potential changes. Some coaches could get promotions and, you know, some other moves around the NFL. We'll obviously highlight that here as that becomes available. But we also heard from Broncos team CEO Greg Penner.

Starting point is 00:21:25 And he made it very clear that the Broncos have their site set on winning the AFC West. That's a goal that he has for this team. What can they do to do that? Plus new updates on a potential new stadium. We'll share that much more here on today's episode. Lockdown Broncos. Today's episode of Lockdown Broncos is brought to you by friends over there at Rocket Money.

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Starting point is 00:22:57 Rocketmoney.com slash locked on. The fourth quarter action of today's episode, Locked on Broncos, is here, and the future is now. Broncos team CEO, Greg Penner, met with the media to end the year and set some high expectations for where he has with this franchise, with this coaching staff and with this roster. And that is set on the AFCOS. Thanks once again, all the everydayers and first listeners out there on Broncos country. Just a reminder, if you're not an everydayer, you are missing out on fresh up-to-date objective analysis on all things that are going on with your Denver Broncos. You get that here literally five days a week, every single day. all throughout the entire year because for the true fan, there is never an offseason.

Starting point is 00:23:41 All right, Sarah, with that said, because there's never an off season, really for us, the NFL kind of being in this media sphere, it's kind of a year-round thing. It's really becoming that. There's a little bit of sprinkled in times. You know, obviously I got vacation coming up.

Starting point is 00:23:53 Obviously, when I get married and go on my honeymoon, Sarah, I know is going to hold it down for me here on lockdown Broncos when that's the case. But yeah, we got you covered and we're excited about it. So for me, I think last year, Greg Penner came out in the end of the year press conference after Denver won eight games. He said our expectation is to win more than eight games. Denver did that.

Starting point is 00:24:12 They won two more. They won 10 games this year. So ideally the goal, you would say like, all right, can the Broncos win more than 10 games in 2025? That's the goal. But really it all starts with, and I think this was the central focus from Peyton, Payton, and also Penner, is that they really want to find a way to win the division. The AFC West, obviously, the Kansas Chiefs have dominated this division for far too long. Denver has closed the gap.

Starting point is 00:24:35 with them and there's things that they can do to really close it. But this is a tough division with three teams right now, the charters, the chiefs, and the Broncos. Raiders not worried about them so much right now. But this is where Denver is going to have to take that next step. Is like, can you actually be in the conversation in 2025 when it's the month of December? Like, hey, these games are for the division. I think Denver can get to that point.

Starting point is 00:24:57 It's going to be tough. But I think Denver is closing the gap to be in that conversation in December. They 100% are. And you know that they're feeling. internally are that they can get there this off season because Sean Peyton said immediately after the loss against Buffalo like we got to find a way to be playing these games at home and in order to play the way to do that home there's only one way you got to win the division and so I don't think it's just every other team in the AFC West should just be admitting defeat every year with the Kansas

Starting point is 00:25:27 City chiefs in the division like Kansas City as good as they are and they are good I don't want to take away for that you got to be a little lucky to win as many one-score games as they have. And you've got to be a little unlucky to lose as many one-score games as the Denver Broncos did this past year. So at what point does the things even out a little bit, right? I mean, do you get a little luck to bounce your way in a few more games? Like, let's just say the Broncos had two games this year where they were one score and they

Starting point is 00:25:56 won instead of loss. I mean, they would have been, what, 12 and 5? So if you win 12 games in an NFL season, like, it's hard to, you know, not win your division in today's day and age. Like there's not going to be that many teams. Unless you're the Vikings. Unless you're the Vikings apparently and rightfully getting just absolutely clobbered in the wild card round.

Starting point is 00:26:17 But Cody, it's, I think from ownership down, they understand this. And that's why Greg Penner said that their sights are set on the AFC West going forward. Like, there's no question that this team can do it. It's just a matter of can you get those moves, that secret sauce to find a way. So I'm excited about that being the mentality is that they can go out and win the division. You took a step forward in 2023. You've made the playoffs and had a winning record in 2024. Let's go get the division now in 2025.

Starting point is 00:26:46 Seems like a likely kind of progression there for Denver. Although lofty, I think it's something that they should absolutely be planning for. Yeah. No, and I think that the mindset of players in the locker room is to win the division next year. I mean, that's their goal. I mean, even said it even this year, going back to training camp, they're like, our goal is to compete. win the division. You know, they got that.

Starting point is 00:27:05 They want to get to the postseason, but the goal is to put yourself in the best position possible for that, and that is by taking care of business in your conference play and your divisional play here. And I think that's something that Denver's going to aim to be a little bit better at going into next season. A cliff note here in two. Like the Broncos, obviously, they'll play the Jets next year. They'll play the Colts next year. And we all know that the Jets and the Colts are two teams that could have the potential of having an overseas home game, which means that the Broncos, they're going to be in a position where they may have to travel either to Berlin or London next year for a game,

Starting point is 00:27:37 which wouldn't be bad. But I know it's like, you know, Denver's been in this cycle. It's like you're required to play one once every eight years. Denver's already played in a couple in recent memories. So for that, I mean, do you think that's going to happen? Do you think that Denver's going to end up playing a game in London or in Berlin next season? Part of me is thinking that's not going to be the case. I kind of feel like it is going to happen, honestly.

Starting point is 00:28:01 the way that Greg Penner was talking about it, Cody, it feels like they're going to, like, I kind of got the impression based on listening to him, like one of those two games, we're kind of expecting. And he said they welcome it. Obviously, what else are you going to say? But I'm just thankful that it's not a home game, right? I'm thankful that the Broncos don't have to sacrifice a home game this year, which we did mention that. That's the once every eight years you have to host an international game. And so I think that the Broncos are in a position where I believe they have nine home games.

Starting point is 00:28:31 next next season, Cody. So they have nine home games already. You have your road game in Los Angeles against the Chargers. And Las Vegas, for that matter, where Broncos fans travel very well to both of those games. And then you play on a neutral field against either the Colts or the Jets. Like, I mean, that's kind of a nice deal. That's a nice setup for the Broncos to have a minimum of, you already have your bare minimum nine home games and then a neutral site game for a 10th.

Starting point is 00:28:57 So in reality, the Broncos only have seven true roads. games next year if they're playing either the Colts or the Jets in the international series. And I've heard rumors about the Texans game being played in Mexico. I don't know if that's going to happen. Cody, that was not brought up by Greg Penner at all. It's a rumor floating around the internet at this point. So we're going to see what happens.

Starting point is 00:29:18 But if the Broncos can get some of these games, they're away games like at neutral sites, I'm not mad about it. No, I'm not either. I think that would be exciting. You know, look, I think the appeal of being able to have teams play in the international game. There are a lot of international fans that listen to Lockdown Broncos,

Starting point is 00:29:34 but being able to get fans in other countries to see it, I love that. The only thing I don't love about the overseas stuff is the idea that, you know, the NFL is looking at expanding to, hey, let's just have a team that's in London, you know, full time. I don't like the idea of that or adding another NFL team just to be able to do that. That's where I kind of draw the line there. But I think bringing the game overseas, I think is a great idea. And obviously, it's been very successful for the league here in the whole process going forward. And obviously it gives you a, think a chance to go into the buy week.

Starting point is 00:30:02 Unless you're the Jaggers, I think they chose to stay in London for a week and play like two games there, which, hey, that might be a cool experience. Didn't help the Jaguars in any way, shape, or form this year when we look back at it on paper. One final note here before we close out today's show,

Starting point is 00:30:15 found it very interesting, you know, obviously Sean Payton. Like I said, we got a little feisty there. We got some spice there. Talking about, like he did go on a little bit of a rant about injuries and the fact that

Starting point is 00:30:26 once again, like the Broncos issue, last year they were first. And in terms of not having, games lost, like the injury prevention that they did last year was huge. They were first and that. So far, they're second this year in the NFL in terms of just overall player health and, you know, lack of games missed overall due to injury.

Starting point is 00:30:44 Testament to Bo Lowry and his staff and obviously Dan Dowryple, the strength and conditioning staff there. But he also kind of took a shot a little bit at Nathaniel Hackett and the previous staff for that. Like, wow, like any kind of the message was, you know, if you're stuck in this position, This is consistent for you popping up every year where you're 32nd in the NFL or you're in the bottom of 10 of injuries lost. He said you've kind of earned that. So not missing words on that from Sean Payton.

Starting point is 00:31:11 I know. I was surprised by that as well. I think he even mentioned like 134 guys missing games due to injuries. Like there was a problem in Denver. And that was a huge issue that they immediately wanted to fix. Ownership wanted to get that fixed obviously. And that's been a huge priority for those guys. And it's been a big reason why I think we've seen progression for this team over two years.

Starting point is 00:31:33 Like if your guys can stay on the field, the guys that you plan on playing, I mean, look at the Detroit Lions, Cody. We're going to find out how much is that going to affect them in a playoff run. Like the San Francisco 49ers in a Super Bowl window for that team, injuries have decimated that roster. And so I'm not saying that on a year to year basis, you're going to get lucky like this all the time. I mean, it does involve a little bit of luck. But at the same time, the Broncos don't seem to think that. it's all luck by any means. Like they feel like the intentionality, the way that they practice, the way they treat

Starting point is 00:32:04 guys, it all factors in to a healthy roster overall. Well, I think if, you know, fans are concerned, like I know several fans that said, we don't want T. Higgins, he's too injury prone. T. Higgins, you know, I think any of the injury stuff they're talking about there, this is a great staff. This is a selling point to come here. And obviously, I think players will tell you that too. I've talked to players.

Starting point is 00:32:24 I talked to Alex Singleton the last day. Like he loves where things are at in terms of his ACL. recovery. He's on track. I think he's a little bit ahead of schedule two, which is obviously nice for where he's at. We saw the acceleration of Drew Sanders, who tore his Achilles. And to be able to come back and play absolutely nuts. Like, you know, usually I was like, ah, you tear your Achilles, you're done for the year. And this happened in April. And he made great progress throughout the season. I think that the Broncos got a good process in place. But what they said, Broncos country, your thoughts on Denver and what they need to do

Starting point is 00:32:54 to close the gap inside the AFC and in the AFC West. here where they're leaning in terms of off-season moves, would you prefer them to be methodical in their approach? Or would you like to see them be aggressive? Make sure you let us know on social media wherever you're tuning in to Lockdown Broncos. For all you every dares, here's what you can expect on tomorrow's episode of the show. Sarah and I, we're going to sit down and we're going to talk about the Broncos who have free agents. Who's hitting free agency this year?

Starting point is 00:33:19 Which players might be most at risk of departing or staying? And on top of that, the Broncos also signed 14 players to future reserve contracts. which players of that bunch could have an impact in 2025. We'll highlight that much more on tomorrow's brand new episode of Lockdown Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos Focused On Closing Gap In AFC In 2025

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