ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Sean Payton skipped the pleasantries and got down to business on his first day back from summer vacation, at least when gathered Tuesday in a classroom full of media.
The Broncos’ head coach was edgy, even curt at times and sent off the message he’d rather have skipped the media session so he could start working on making this franchise a winner again.
Problem is, few think it will happen this year. Oddsmakers have the Broncos’ over/under win total at 5.5. The Broncos also have the NFL’s fourth-worst Super Bowl winning odds at 150 to 1.
“Look, if I spent time on that, in 2006 we would have never gone to the NFC Championship Game,’’ Payton said Tuesday in his season-opening press conference in the concrete-walled media room inside the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse. “And I mean that seriously. Back in my first year as head coach in New Orleans. I don’t have time to spend time on that. Nor did I wish to spend time on it.
“I understand they have a job to do and where we’re selected. None of that means anything. It’s stuff to talk about when the media cycle is quiet.
“We’ll get ready to play. And we expect to compete. We expect to win.”
Other topics Payton addressed:
*The quarterback rotation. Throughout the offseason, Payton had returning veteran Jarrett Stidham quarterback the first-team offense on Tuesdays, newly acquired veteran Zach Wilson on Wednesdays, and first-round rookie Bo Nix on Thursdays.
At least for a few practices, the rotation will be more of the same once training camp ramps up Friday for full practice.
“We’ll mix it up again,’’ Payton said of his three QBs. “Obviously, it won’t stay that way for the long term.”
*There was a funny moment when a reporter suggested tight end Lucas Krull was the Broncos’ best player during the offseason program.
“Did you say Lucas was our best player or best tight end?’’ Payton said.
Arguably the best …
“No, it wasn’t,’’ Payton said. “No, it wasn’t. I’ll answer your question, but, you’re not close.”
Krull, who is barely known outside households of Bronco diehards, did have one outstanding OTA practice in May and came on in the second half of last season.
“I expect Lucas Krull to make progress like he has,’’ Payton said. “We were encouraged with what he did. And I think that position’s important. …
“But I would go with (right guard Quinn) Meinerz, I would go with (cornerback Pat) Surtain (as the best players). I would go with these other players if you were wanting to know.”
*It’s clear Payton values the offensive line. The top four blockers – Meinerz ($18 million), right tackle Mike McGlinchey ($17.5 million), left tackle Garett Bolles ($17 million) and left guard Ben Powers ($13 million) – are all making big money on an annual average.
“I think it’s the most important position group on your roster,’’ Payton said. “I think it permeates your building. I believe that and it’s served us well everywhere I’ve been.”
*No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton appears to be at training camp. Sutton held out of OTAs to send a message he wanted an adjustment to his contract that pays him $13 million and change in each of the next two years. Only $2 million of this year's salary is guaranteed.
Other than offering to boost its incentive package, the Broncos haven't budged. Sutton attended the mandatory minicamp to avoid fines of $50,000 over two days. He did use a press conference to express frustration and disappointment with the team for not adjusting his contract.
The fines escalate to $50,000 a day in training camp -- starting Tuesday with the mandatory report date -- and if he wasn’t going to give away $25,000 a day in minicamp, it figured he wouldn't give back twice that in training camp.
Sutton had a man-to-man talk with Payton prior to the final minicamp practice on June 12. There were no more discussions leading into camp.
“No, and there won't be any,'' Payton said. "He’ll be here, like we talked about. And ready to go.”
*Oft-injured tight end Greg Dulcich will try again. He missed the offseason because of end-of-season foot surgery. This after missing most of last season with a hamstring injury.
“The plan is he’ll practice beginning this week,’’ Payton said.
*Payton was asked whether the Broncos want Eyioma Uwazurike back after the defensive lineman and former fourth-round draft pick served a yearlong suspension for betting on NFL and Broncos games, providing he is reinstated.
Besides the NFL, Eyioma’s gambling matter is under review by the state of Colorado and Arapahoe County District Attorney’s office for possible criminal violations.
The Broncos and Uwazurike, who is in the Denver area in case he is reinstated, have reason to be concerned the local authorities investigation could cause the NFL to pause its decision on reinstatement.
“We want him back,’’ Payton said. “We don’t have the same control – we can’t tell you we’re going to anticipate it. We’ll see with the powers that be.”
The Broncos will conduct acclimation practices Wednesday and Thursday with the first full training camp practice starting at 10 a.m. Friday at Broncos Park.
>>Video below: Broncos veterans and coaches report to 2024 training camp