ENGLEWOOD, Colo — To the 2,500-plus fans who sat on the grassy berm Friday to watch the Broncos’ first training camp practice of 2024, you almost had to find something else to do.
At one point, construction on the Broncos’ new training center was to have broken ground by now.
“As we originally planned, we were going to have to start construction about a month or so ago,’’ Broncos president Damani Leech said Friday on the 9NEWS Mornings show. “But as we got further into the design process, working with Arapahoe County on our permitting — we’ve been great from a communication standpoint — we felt like we could still meet our goal of being in a new facility by June of 2026 and have another training camp with fans on the berm.
“Really important for us, obviously, for fans to be able to come out here and experience this.”
Will there be training camp for fans next year, when construction is halfway through?
“Next year, we’ll likely have temporary seating right out here in this parking lot,’’ Leech said, referring to the lot near the front lobby of the team’s current headquarters at Broncos Parkway and Potomac. “Folks like myself will have to find somewhere else to park. And we’ll build some temporary seating and stands and fans will be able to watch from there.’’
The berm was at capacity Friday. The first roar was directed at Bo Nix as the first-round rookie quarterback – and hope for so many sitting in the berm -- jogged onto the practice field.
It was warm but most of the practice was performed in upper 70s/low 80s temperature beneath a hazy sky.
“Anytime people are watching it brings out a little bit more competitive environment,’’ said Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Per the quarterback rotation schedule, it was Zach Wilson’s turn to run the first-team offense. Jarrett Stidham ran the second team and Nix was third. On back-to-back, team series, Wilson then Stidham hit new veteran receiver Josh Reynolds on intermediate routes.
All three quarterbacks did a good job with the checkdowns and short routes. The intermediate to deep completions, though, could have been counted on the hand of former Cubs pitcher Mordecai “Three Finger: Brown.
Asked about his quarterbacks’ execution, Payton used an old John McKay line.
“Look, I’m all for it,” he said.
It is still July.
Hamstring lingers for Jones
New Broncos starting safety Brandon Jones was plagued by a hamstring in the final two weeks of OTAs in June. He seemed healed through the Broncos’ first two acclimation practices of training camp Wednesday and Thursday but he was spotted clutching his left hamstring again Friday. Jones didn’t finish practice.
“He went in, we’ll evaluate, see where he’s at,’’ Payton said. “I got a note it was his 26th birthday. He was supposed to break the team down (in the post-practice team huddle). We’ll get a follow up and see how significant it is.”
Kenny Chesney visits
As he often does when he has a concert in Denver, country star Kenny Chesney stopped by the Broncos’ training facility Friday. He met Broncos owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner. He visited with his good friend Payton. He worked out in the Broncos’ weightlifting center and his sleeveless T-shirt proved it.
And he took in some practice.
Payton was going to arrange to give Chesney a No. 7 Broncos’ jersey – Chesney’s number in high school.
“It will be a much different sized jersey as well,'' Payton said.
Chesney is playing Saturday night at Empower Field at Mile High.
Bronco Bits
Payton got a bit emotional when asked about losing one of his best friends Thursday. Longtime NFL marketing executive Mike Ornstein died. Ornstein was waiting outside when Payton first interviewed with Broncos owners Greg Penner, Carrie Walton Penner and Condoleezza Rice in January 2023 in Los Angeles.
“He was someone that loved this league a lot, Mike Ornstein,'' Payton said. "Been with a lot of teams and had a long career in our league. He was with me for quite a long time. I met him when the (Saints) drafted Reggie Bush (in 2006). He had been sick of late. Our prayers go out to his family—[his son] Jackson, who’s helping us out with video, and then his wife Kristi. They’re home in L.A. It was a tough one.” ...
Payton said it’s “possible” the Broncos make the rare decision to keep all three quarterbacks – Stidham, Nix and Wilson – on their 53-man roster. …
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto didn’t practice Friday but Payton said he would Saturday.
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