Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, preseason games are often dismissed as meaningless exhibitions—filled with third-string quarterbacks, unproven rookies, and plays that don’t factor into the regular-season record. But for the Denver Broncos, the preseason is anything but trivial. Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos is a philosophy that guides every snap in August: this time is reserved for growth, evaluation, and preparation—laying the groundwork for success when the stakes are highest in September and beyond. While stars may sit out, the preseason serves a critical purpose for the Broncos: it identifies hidden talent, refines new schemes, and builds the depth that separates good teams from playoff contenders. For a franchise chasing its first Super Bowl since 2015, the preseason isn’t a distraction—it’s a necessary step toward winning.

Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos starts with the most obvious but vital goal: evaluating rookies and undrafted free agents fighting for roster spots. Every year, the Broncos bring in dozens of young players hoping to prove they belong in the NFL, and the preseason is their only chance to showcase their skills in live game action. Take the 2025 preseason, for example: undrafted wide receiver Tyler Hill entered camp as a long shot to make the team, but he turned heads with 12 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns in three preseason games—including a 30-yard game-winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Hill’s performance earned him a spot on the 53-man roster, and by Week 10 of the regular season, he was starting opposite Jerry Jeudy. “The preseason is make-or-break for guys like Tyler,” said Broncos wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni. “You can’t evaluate a player solely on practice reps—you need to see how they perform when the lights are on, when the pressure is real. That’s why the preseason matters.” For the Broncos, this evaluation process isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s about finding diamonds in the rough who can contribute to winning.

Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos also serves as a laboratory for testing new schemes and adjusting to coaching changes. When Sean Payton joined the Broncos as head coach in 2023, he used the preseason to install his offensive system—experimenting with formations, playcalls, and personnel groupings that he’d refine before the regular season. In the 2023 preseason, the Broncos ran 15 different trick plays (including reverse passes and fake punts) and tested a new zone-blocking scheme for the offensive line. While some of these experiments failed—like a reverse pass that was intercepted against the Seattle Seahawks—they provided valuable data for Payton’s staff. “Preseason is where you can afford to make mistakes,” Payton said that year. “If a trick play doesn’t work in August, you fix it or scrap it—you don’t wait until Week 1 against the Raiders to find out it’s broken. That’s the value of this time.” By the start of the regular season, the Broncos had trimmed the ineffective plays and honed the ones that worked, leading to an offense that ranked 12th in the NFL in points scored. For the Broncos, the preseason is a chance to learn, adapt, and avoid costly mistakes when games count.

Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos is critical for building depth—a necessity in the NFL, where injuries can derail a season in an instant. The Broncos’ 2024 season was a perfect example: starting running back Javonte Williams suffered a knee injury in Week 3, but backup Samaje Perine stepped in and rushed for 850 yards that season. Perine’s readiness wasn’t an accident—he’d gotten 45 carries in the 2024 preseason, averaging 4.2 yards per rush and scoring two touchdowns. Those reps allowed Perine to build chemistry with the offensive line and learn the nuances of the Broncos’ running game, making his transition to starter seamless. “Depth isn’t just about having bodies on the roster—it’s about having players who are ready to play when called upon,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “The preseason gives those backups the reps they need to be effective. Without that time, Samaje wouldn’t have been able to step in and keep our running game on track.” The Denver Broncos’ focus on depth during the preseason has paid off in recent years: they’ve had at least 10 backup players each season who’ve started at least one game, and many of those players have played key roles in wins.

Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos also helps veteran role players stay sharp and adjust to new positions. Not every veteran in preseason is a star sitting on the sidelines—some are players like defensive end Zach Allen, who switched from defensive tackle to edge rusher in 2025. Allen spent the preseason working on his pass-rushing moves, adjusting to the different techniques required for his new position, and building chemistry with the linebackers. He recorded three sacks in the preseason, including a strip-sack against the Kansas City Chiefs, and carried that momentum into the regular season, finishing with six sacks. “Changing positions is hard—even for veterans,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. “The preseason gives guys like Zach the time to get comfortable, to make mistakes, and to figure out what works. Without that, he wouldn’t have been able to contribute the way he did in 2025.” The Denver Broncos also use the preseason to keep special teams contributors sharp: players like long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer and kick returner Jamal Agnew get valuable reps in preseason games, ensuring they’re ready for the high-pressure moments of the regular season.

Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos is ultimately about setting the stage for success. While the wins and losses in August don’t count, the work done during that time—evaluating rookies, testing schemes, building depth, and preparing role players—directly impacts the team’s performance when it matters most. For the Broncos, the preseason is a reminder that winning in the NFL is a year-round process, and every snap—even the ones in August—serves a purpose. “People ask me why we care about the preseason,” Payton said in 2025. “The answer is simple: because every great season starts with a great preseason. The work we do now builds the foundation for what we want to accomplish in January and February.” For Broncos fans, the preseason may not have the drama of a playoff game, but it’s a chance to see the future of the franchise take shape. In the end, Preseason for a Reason with the Denver Broncos is a commitment to excellence—a belief that no detail is too small, and no opportunity to improve is wasted, when the goal is to bring another Super Bowl back to Denver.