Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos

The decision of which Denver Broncos starters will play in the 2025 preseason is a calculated balance between building on-field chemistry, managing injury risk, and accelerating the team’s adaptation to Sean Payton’s offensive and defensive schemes. Unlike some NFL teams that sit most starters in the preseason, Payton has a history of using limited reps for key players to refine timing—especially for units with new additions or positional changes. For the Broncos, this year’s preseason takes on extra importance: the offense is integrating a revamped offensive line, the defense has a new coordinator in Vance Joseph, and quarterback Russell Wilson is entering his third season in Denver with a renewed focus on consistency. Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos thus explores how Payton’s approach to preseason reps will shape the team’s readiness for the regular season, while prioritizing the health of its core players.

Payton’s philosophy on starter participation in the preseason centers on “quality over quantity”—using 10–15 snaps per starter in the first two preseason games to build critical on-field communication, then sitting most veterans in the third game (a common NFL practice to avoid late-preseason injuries). This approach stems from his time with the New Orleans Saints, where he found that limited preseason reps helped his offense (led by Drew Brees) develop timing without exposing starters to unnecessary hits. For the Broncos, this means players like Wilson, running back Javonte Williams, and left tackle Garett Bolles will likely see action in the first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, focusing on basic offensive sets: run plays to establish the ground game, short play-action passes to build trust between Wilson and his receivers, and red-zone drills to refine scoring efficiency. “Preseason isn’t about winning—it’s about building habits,” Payton said in a July press conference. “We need our starters to get comfortable with each other in live game situations, even if it’s just a handful of plays.” Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos thus frames Payton’s strategy as a blend of preparation and caution, tailored to the Broncos’ roster needs.

Injury recovery and positional competition will also influence which Broncos starters play in the preseason—with players returning from injuries or adjusting to new roles getting priority for reps. For example, defensive end Zach Allen, who missed the final four games of 2024 with a shoulder injury, will likely play in the first two preseason games to rebuild game fitness and test his shoulder in contact situations. Similarly, new right guard Robert Hunt—signed in free agency to anchor the offensive line—needs reps with center Jackson Powers-Johnson (a rookie) to develop the snap-to-block timing critical for run plays. On the other hand, players with long track records of health and scheme familiarity—like linebacker Alex Singleton, who has started 48 straight games—may see only 5–10 snaps in the first preseason game, with backups taking over most of the reps. “We have to be smart about who gets what reps,” said Broncos head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. “For guys coming back from injury, preseason reps are about confidence as much as physical readiness. For veterans in stable roles, it’s about staying sharp without overdoing it.” Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos thus highlights how individual player circumstances will guide rep distribution.

The Denver Broncos’ offensive starters will have a clear focus in their preseason reps: solidifying the run game, which Payton has identified as the backbone of his offense. Wilson, Williams, and the offensive line will spend their limited snaps executing core run plays—inside zone, trap, and power runs—to build cohesion and test how opposing defenses react to Payton’s scheme. For Wilson, this means practicing handoffs with Williams (to refine timing) and making quick post-snap reads on play-action passes (a key part of the Broncos’ passing attack). The offensive line, meanwhile, will focus on communication: calling out defensive shifts, adjusting blocking assignments on the fly, and maintaining gaps to create running lanes. “Our offense lives and dies by how well the line and backs work together,” said Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. “Preseason reps let us iron out the small kinks—like a guard missing a block assignment or a back cutting too late—that can turn a 3-yard gain into a loss.” The Denver Broncos’ offensive starters won’t take risks in the preseason (no deep passes into double coverage, no trick plays), but they will focus on executing the fundamentals that will define their regular-season success. Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos thus underscores how preseason reps will lay the groundwork for the offense’s identity.

The Denver Broncos’ defensive starters, meanwhile, will use preseason reps to adapt to Joseph’s new scheme—specifically, the shift to a more aggressive pass rush and simplified coverage assignments. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones and edge rusher Nik Bonitto will get reps in Joseph’s “wide-nine” alignment (lining up further outside to create speed rushes), while cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Damarri Mathis will practice the “pattern-matching” coverage Joseph favors (where defenders switch assignments based on receivers’ routes). Unlike the offense, the defensive starters may see slightly more reps (15–20 per game) in the first two preseason contests, as Joseph looks to build trust in his scheme and identify which blitz packages work best against different offensive sets. “Defense is about reaction—you can’t simulate that in practice as well as you can in a live game,” Joseph said. “Our starters need to see real offensive looks, make split-second decisions, and communicate with each other under pressure.” The Denver Broncos’ defense will also use preseason reps to test backup players, but the starters’ time on the field will be focused on mastering the scheme’s basics—ensuring they’re ready to execute from Week 1. Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos thus shows how the defense’s preseason focus differs from the offense’s, driven by scheme changes.

Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos’ approach to starter participation in the 2025 preseason will be flexible—adjusting based on injury updates, practice performance, and opponent tendencies. If the offensive line shows strong cohesion in practice, Payton may reduce starters’ reps in the second preseason game; if a key player like Surtain struggles with the new defensive scheme, he may get extra snaps to build confidence. The team will also closely monitor snap counts and contact levels: starters will avoid full-speed collisions when possible (e.g., Williams may step out of bounds early on runs), and trainers will be on the sidelines to pull players if they show any signs of discomfort. “Preseason is a tool, not a mandate,” Payton said. “We’ll adapt our plan based on what’s best for the team’s long-term success, not just what’s worked in the past.” For the Broncos, the goal of having starters play in the preseason isn’t just to win exhibition games—it’s to ensure the team hits the ground running in Week 1, with a cohesive, confident roster ready to compete in the AFC West. Starters to Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos thus concludes by emphasizing that this strategy is a reflection of the Broncos’ commitment to winning in 2025—while protecting the core players who will make that success possible.