Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos’ Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams will be a glimpse of a team still finding its footing—not the complete, contention-ready unit they’ll become by midseason. Every NFL team faces early-season growing pains, but the Broncos’ 2025 opening game will be particularly misleading, thanks to ongoing scheme adjustments, unrefined player chemistry, and lingering preseason rust. Fans and analysts shouldn’t mistake Week 1’s inevitable inconsistencies for a lack of talent; instead, it will be a snapshot of a roster still integrating new pieces (like edge rusher Brian Burns and guard Robert Hunt) and adapting to Sean Payton’s evolving offensive game plan. By November, the Broncos will likely rank among the AFC’s top teams—but Week 1 will show only a fraction of that potential. Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos thus breaks down why the opening game will be a misleading indicator of their 2025 success.

A primary reason Week 1 won’t reflect the Broncos’ true form is unfinished scheme integration on both offense and defense. On offense, Payton has spent the offseason overhauling his run-heavy approach to include more play-action variations and quick-pass concepts tailored to Russell Wilson’s strengths—but these tweaks haven’t been tested in live, high-pressure game situations. In preseason practices, the offense struggled with timing on new “check-with-me” plays (where Wilson adjusts the play call at the line based on the defense), leading to occasional miscommunications between Wilson and the offensive line. Defensively, coordinator Vance Joseph is implementing a new “wide-nine” alignment for edge rushers Burns and Nik Bonitto—a scheme that requires precise gap discipline from the defensive line and linebackers. Preseason scrimmages revealed lapses: twice, Bonitto overpursued the quarterback, leaving a gap for a running back to gain 15+ yards. “Scheme changes take time to stick,” Joseph admitted after a late-August practice. “We know what we want to be, but Week 1 will be about working out the kinks, not executing perfectly.” These kinks will be evident in Week 1—expect missed assignments, slow adjustments to the Rams’ offense, and a lack of the cohesion that will define the Broncos later in the season. Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos thus frames scheme growing pains as a key Week 1 limitation.

Another factor masking the Broncos’ true potential in Week 1 is unrefined chemistry between key players, especially on the offensive line and in the passing game. The offensive line features two new starters: Hunt (signed in free agency) at right guard and rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson at center. While both are talented, their timing with left tackle Garett Bolles and right tackle Mike McGlinchey—critical for run-blocking cohesion—remains a work in progress. In preseason, the line allowed 8 sacks in three games, with most coming from miscommunications between Hunt and Powers-Johnson on blitz pickups. In the passing game, Wilson is still building rapport with new slot receiver Jerry Jeudy (who shifted from outside to slot this offseason) and tight end Chris Manhertz (promoted to backup after Lucas Krull’s injury). Jeudy dropped two passes in the final preseason game, and Manhertz missed a key blocking assignment on a Wilson scramble. “Chemistry isn’t built in a month,” Wilson said after practice. “Jerry and I are still figuring out each other’s tendencies—when he’ll break his route, how he’ll adjust to coverage. That takes reps, and Week 1 will be another rep, not the finish line.” By midseason, this chemistry will be seamless—but Week 1 will show only awkward moments and missed opportunities. Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos thus highlights player cohesion gaps as a major Week 1 shortfall.

The Denver Broncos will also be hampered by preseason rust in Week 1—especially for veterans who saw limited snaps in exhibition games. Payton rested Wilson, Javonte Williams, and Bolles for all three preseason games, while Joseph kept Burns, Bonitto, and Patrick Surtain II out of the final two. While this rest reduces injury risk, it also means these key players haven’t faced live opposition since January. For Wilson, this means less familiarity with game-speed decision-making: in practice, he’s had time to read defenses and adjust, but in Week 1, he’ll face the Rams’ blitz-heavy defense with no recent live reps to lean on. For Williams, who’s coming off a knee injury, limited preseason carries mean he may lack the timing with the offensive line to hit holes quickly—expect early runs to gain 2-3 yards instead of the 5-6 he’ll average later in the season. “Rest is important, but rust is real,” said strength coach Loren Landow. “Our veterans will be physically ready, but the mental sharpness that comes from live game action—reacting to unexpected plays, adjusting to the opponent’s speed—won’t fully return until Week 2 or 3.” The Denver Broncos’ Week 1 performance will reflect this rust, with slower reactions and less crisp execution than fans will see by October. Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos thus underscores preseason rest as a contributor to Week 1 inconsistencies.

The Denver Broncos’ Week 1 showing will also be limited by ongoing injury recoveries that have sidelined key role players and disrupted depth. Krull (knee surgery) will miss Week 1, leaving Manhertz as the only experienced backup tight end—a loss that limits Payton’s ability to run two-tight end sets (a staple of his red-zone offense). Defensive tackle D.J. Jones is recovering from a minor calf strain and will play limited snaps, forcing rookie defensive tackle Elijah Garcia into more action than planned. Garcia, a fifth-round pick, struggled with run stopping in preseason, allowing 4.5 yards per carry in his snaps. On special teams, kicker Brandon McManus is still recovering from a groin injury that kept him out of the final preseason game; while he’ll play Week 1, his range may be limited (he missed a 48-yard attempt in practice the week before the opener). “Injuries always impact Week 1—teams haven’t had time to fully adjust or sign replacements,” said general manager George Paton. “We have depth, but losing Krull and limiting Jones means we’re not playing our ideal lineup yet.” By Week 4, Krull will return, Jones will be at full strength, and the Broncos will have addressed special teams gaps—but Week 1 will show a roster still compensating for absences. The Denver Broncos’ Week 1 performance will thus be a workaround, not a reflection of their full depth. Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos thus emphasizes injury recoveries as a Week 1 constraint.

Finally, Week 1 won’t show the Broncos’ true potential because opponent preparation is still one-sided. The Rams, led by coach Sean McVay, have spent the offseason studying the Broncos’ 2024 film and preseason tendencies—but the Broncos have far less tape on the Rams’ new-look offense, which features rookie quarterback Bryce Young (acquired via trade) and veteran running back Dalvin Cook. This information gap will force the Broncos to play cautiously on defense: Joseph will likely call fewer blitzes and stick to basic coverage schemes to avoid being caught off guard by Young’s scrambling ability. On offense, Payton will lean heavily on the run game (Williams’ strength) instead of testing new passing concepts, to minimize mistakes against the Rams’ aggressive secondary. “When you don’t have much tape on an opponent, you play to your strengths and avoid risks,” Payton explained. “Week 1 isn’t the time to experiment—it’s the time to survive and learn.” By Week 6, the Broncos will have film on every AFC West opponent and most playoff contenders, allowing them to open up their playbook—but Week 1 will be a conservative, limited version of their offense. For fans watching Week 1, the Broncos may look like a good but not great team—but by midseason, the combination of scheme refinement, player chemistry, and opponent familiarity will turn them into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Not What We’ll See Week 1 from the Denver Broncos thus concludes by emphasizing that Week 1 is a starting point, not a finish line, for the 2025 Broncos.