Broncos

Broncos S Brandon Jones said the team knows it needs to continue to embrace the mentality that got them from being an underdog into one of the league’s best teams, even as Denver gets a lot more hype about its prospects in 2025.

“I think we’re handling it really well,” Jones said, via the team’s website. “I will say, we’re still a young team. I think that just kind of brings that juice and energy and kind of that overall dog mentality that we all have. We never want to get comfortable; [you] never can get comfortable in this league. So I think we’re just going to keep striving for greatness and continue to do what we can do.”

Broncos LT Garett Bolles said the team needs to start faster and has the utmost belief in the team’s coaching staff.

“I think we’ve just got to stay calm and composed and just focus on the game and attack each opponent the same way, the way we study, the way that we game-plan, the way that we do things,” Bolles said on how to string wins together in 2025. “We have a hell of a coaching staff here. We really do. One of the best in the NFL for a reason. Coach Payton, I love him dearly. … Just his coaching experience, his mindset [and] his culture that he builds is so special.”

Bolles added that HC Sean Payton prepares the team for situations when they need a critical stop or a conversion.

“I think when we get in those moments when it’s crunch time and you’ve got to score [or] you’ve got to make a stop, I don’t think we’re afraid because he puts us in situations in practice to make us feel uncomfortable so that when we get in those moments, we can win those close games,” Bolles said. “Those are the games you have to win in this league. … I think it’s just all about the culture we have here and the players we have here and the mindset that we have here.”

Broncos

• Jeff Legwold of ESPN spoke to Broncos HC Sean Payton about the team’s defense: “We’re trying to put together the best team we can. And I hear what’s said and I understand the questions, but there are a lot of ways to help a young quarterback — any quarterback. … A good defense helps a quarterback.”
• Broncos DC Vance Joseph also weighed in: “We had a great defense, [but] that was last year. My entire offseason [thought] is that’s over, let’s keep improving. Last year counts, but it doesn’t matter moving forward, we added some more pieces, we keep improving … the challenges are ahead.”
• Joseph continued, citing the additions of S Talanoa Hufanga and LB Dre Greenlaw: *“It’s always great to add Pro Bowl-type of players. I think both guys bring an attitude of being on great defenses. Both guys bring experience of being in big...