HEADLINES

Denver Broncos News & Rumors

QB Jarrett Stidham To Start Broncos Preseason Opener

August 10th, 2024 at 9:01am CST by Ben Levine

When the Broncos take the field for their preseason opener tomorrow, it won’t be first-round pick Bo Nix under center. Instead, journeyman Jarrett Stidham will be starting the contest, as head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Friday (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post).

[RELATED: Bo Nix Moving Ahead Of Jarrett Stidham In Broncos’ QB Competition?]

While recent reports indicated that the Broncos rookie may have leaped the veteran for the QB1 spot, Payton will be sticking with the same hierarchy that he’s rolled with for much of the offseason. As Gabriel notes, Stidham got first-team reps at minicamp, OTAs, and training camp, and the coaching staff isn’t planning to deviate from that plan on Sunday. However, the team will eventually give Nix an opportunity to play with the other Broncos starters, as Payton revealed that the Oregon product will start Denver’s second preseason game.

“I just think right now, certainly he’s been here, his experience,” Payton said of Stidham (via Gabriel). “Next week it’ll be Nix, but we’re focused on this game and I would say that it’s just where we’re at.”

Of course, all of the team’s quarterbacks will end up seeing the field on Sunday. Payton said Stidham will play “Phase 1” of the contest before giving way to Nix. The rookie will get his chunk of reps before Zach Wilson gets a look.

Considering Nix’s draft stock and Stidham’s underwhelming career stats, it seems like only a matter of time before the rookie takes the top spot on the depth chart. We heard recently that the 12th-overall pick appeared “to have edged past” Stidham for the starting gig, and at the very least, we learned Nix wouldn’t start the year occupying the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. With 61 college starts on his resume, Nix is better positioned than other rookie QBs to immediately take the reins, but it sounds like the Broncos are still going to take it (relatively) slow with their first-round investment.

Panthers Waive S Caden Sterns

August 8th, 2024 at 3:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

Caden Sterns‘ time with the Panthers has proven to be very brief. The former Broncos safety has already been placed back on waivers after failing a physical with his new team, Carolina announced on Thursday.

Sterns’ health has been a concern this offseason after he was limited to only one game in 2023 due to a torn patellar tendon. A failed physical was not the reason he was let go by the Broncos, but struggles in recovering from that injury – or a new ailment altogether – should keep him on the open market for a period moving forward. The 24-year-old will join a new team if another claim is put in, but it would come as a surprise if that took place.

In the event Sterns clears waivers, he will be a free agent. The former fifth-rounder could draw interest when healthy given his performances in 2021 and ’22. Across those seasons, he totaled four interceptions and nine pass deflections while making five starts. Sterns logged a defensive snap share of 84% in 2022, a campaign in which he was held to only five games played.

The Texas alum likely would have competed for playing time at safety with the likes of Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott while Sam Franklin recovers from a broken foot. Sterns has seen time at slot corner in his career, though, and he could have met the Panthers’ goal of adding depth at that position had he been healthy. Instead, team and player will now go their separate ways.

Carolina has roughly $6.1MM in cap space. That should allow the team to pursue a modest veteran addition in the secondary late in the summer. Sterns, meanwhile, will turn his attention to recovery in the hopes of landing a deal with another new team in time for the start of the season.

Browns WR Jerry Jeudy Requested Trade From Broncos

August 6th, 2024 at 9:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

When Jerry Jeudy was dealt to the Browns in March, the move ended long-running speculation about his future in Denver. When reflecting on the process which brought him to Cleveland, the fifth-year receiver said he asked to be dealt on two separate occasions.

“It didn’t come out of the blue at all,’ Jeudy confirmed in an interview with Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “I’m the one that decided that. I made the decision to come [to Cleveland] and I’m excited with my decision… I actually came up to [the Broncos] and asked that I wanted a new atmosphere, a new change of scenery. I just wanted to go somewhere else and have a new feel and a new atmosphere.”

The 25-year-old said he initially asked head coach Sean Payton for a trade at the start of the 2023 season, Payton’s first in Denver. That was shut down, allowing Jeudy to play a fourth campaign with the Broncos. He posted a 54-758-2 statline, production which fell short of his career-best season the year before. After receiving interest from a number of teams, Denver went ahead with a trade, sending Jeudy to the Browns for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks.

Once that deal became official at the start of the new league year, Jeudy inked a three-year extension including $41MM guaranteed and a total value of $52.5MM. The Alabama product was aware of the Browns’ previous interest in acquiring him, and while Jeudy acknowledged other teams were in contention to land him he did not offer specifics. He is hopeful the change of scenery will allow him to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, something which could happen with an increase in usage in Cleveland compared to Denver.

“I wouldn’t just say it was Payton’s system,’ Jeudy said about his target share with the Broncos. “It’s just a lot for a receiver. You need everything to come together and connect all at once to be able to get the ball a lot.”

Jeudy currently sits second on the Browns’ receiver depth chart behind Amari Cooper. The latter recently had incentives added to his contract, which is still set to expire after the 2024 campaign. Cooper could be part of a package Cleveland sends to San Francisco for Brandon Aiyuk, but until anything tangible happens on that front he will remain the team’s top receiving option. Jeudy will spend the rest of training camp preparing for his first Browns campaign after having his request for a fresh start granted.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/24

August 6th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DE Zach Morton

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: WR Dax Milne
  • Waived/injured: DT Tomari Fox

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: QB Luis Perez
  • Waived: LB Savion Jackson

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

CeeDee Lamb isn’t usually mentioned in this type of post, but the transaction involving the wideout was simply procedural. As ESPN’s Todd Archer notes, placing Lamb on the reserve/did not report list opens up a roster spot for the Cowboys, something that was necessary after the team signed three players today. This move doesn’t impact negotiations, and Lamb can be activated once he returns to practice. Lamb continues to holdout while he waits for a new deal, but the front office is working hard to get him back in the building.

Justin Herbert‘s recent foot injury necessitated some extra depth at the position. The team ended up opting for Luis Perez, who led the UFL last season in completions (225), passing yards (2,309), and touchdowns (18). Perez will soak up some temporary snaps alongside Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and UDFA Casey Bauman.

Panthers Claim DB Caden Sterns

August 6th, 2024 at 5:53pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers used their top waiver priority today on a former Broncos draft pick. According to ESPN’s David Newton, the Panthers claimed defensive back Caden Sterns from the Broncos. To make room on the roster, the team has waived/injured guard J.D. DiRenzo.

[RELATED: Broncos Waive S Caden Sterns]

Sterns was a fifth-round pick out of Texas in 2021. He quickly carved out a role in Denver, compiling 28 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions in 15 games (two starts) as a rookie. He was set to take on a larger role as a sophomore, and he started the 2022 campaign as the replacement for an injured Justin Simmons. Sterns got into five games before suffering a hip injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery.

The defensive back returned in time for the start of the 2023 campaign. However, he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 1, ending his season early. Sterns started this year’s training camp on the active/PUP list but missed only a handful of practices before being activated. The Broncos had a few weeks to evaluate the 24-year-old before ultimately moving on yesterday.

The Panthers have been especially active in seeking depth in their secondary. Sterns will likely be penciled in as a safety, but he did get some looks at nickelback as a rookie. Sterns will be taking the roster spot previously held by DiRenzo, a former UDFA who got into three games as a rookie in 2023.

The Panthers made another move today, releasing wideout Cam Sims from the reserve-PUP list with an injury settlement, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The receiver caught on with Carolina’s practice squad late in the 2023 campaign and stuck around during the offseason via a reserve/futures contract. The former UDFA spent five seasons in Washington to begin his career, hauling in 57 catches for 804 yards and three touchdowns.

Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike Reinstated From Gambling Suspension

August 5th, 2024 at 6:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

6:10pm: Uwazurike has released a statement (per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):

“I am grateful to the Denver Broncos and the National Football League for giving me the opportunity to resume my NFL career. I’ve learned from this situation and taken steps to ensure it will never happen again.

“It is a privilege to play in the NFL, and I hope others can learn from my mistake. I will not take this second chance for granted and am fully committed to making a positive impact with the Broncos both on and off the field.”

12:30pm: Eyioma Uwazurike is back in the fold as of Monday. The Broncos defensive lineman has been reinstated from his 2023 gambling suspension, per a league announcement. He will take the roster spot vacated by safety Caden Sterns, who will be traded or waived today.

[Offseason In Review: Denver Broncos]

Uwazurike was among the many players hit with a ban last summer, one which ultimately lasted 54 weeks. An investigation into the 26-year-old’s wagering revealed he placed bets on five Broncos games during his rookie season as part of a wider pattern of FanDuel action which included bets made on Iowa State contests in 2021 when he played for the Cyclones.

Further review from the league office as well as the state of Colorado and Arapahoe County District Attorney took place recently. Uwazurike was first eligible to apply for reinstatement on July 24, but that probe was ongoing at the time. For that reason, he remained unable to take part in team activities until the investigation concluded. As detailed by Mike Klis of 9News, no charges have been filed, clearing the way for Uwazurike to return to action.

Given the year-long absence, the former fourth-rounder’s contract tolled in 2024. As a result, Uwazurike still has three years remaining on his rookie pact. He made eight appearances as a rookie, totaling 17 tackles and two quarterback pressures. With Denver’s training camp well underway, he will now turn his attention to carving out a roster spot on a new-look defensive front.

The Broncos saw the departure of Mike Purcell and Jonathan Harris this offseason while bringing in Malcolm Roach and Angelo Blackson via free agency. Denver also traded for John Franklin-Meyers during the draft, giving the team a number of new options along the defensive interior to pair with Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. Uwazurike will compete for playing time as a member of that group while attempting to avoid any further gambling-related issues.

Broncos Waive S Caden Sterns

August 5th, 2024 at 4:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

4:06pm: No trade was worked out for Sterns, Klis notes. As a result, he will hit the waiver wire. If no team submits a claim in the next 24 hours, he will be a free agent.

10:02am: Caden Sterns was set to play out the 2024 season as a pending free agent for the Broncos. The fourth-year safety will instead need to find a new home in the coming weeks.

Sterns has been informed by the Broncos of their intention of waiving him, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 24-year-old will hit the wire once that move officially takes place. If he goes unclaimed, Sterns will be free to sign with an interested team. A trade will first be sought out, per Mike Klis of 9News. If a partner on that front cannot be found, Sterns will be let go.

The former fifth-rounder has shown potential when on the field, particularly during his rookie season. Sterns totaled a pair of interceptions and five pass deflections in 2021. He nearly matched both of those figures the following year, but he did so in only five games played. Availability has been an issue for Sterns, and he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.

The Texas alum began training camp on the active/PUP list, but he was cleared to return to practice in late July. Today’s news is not an encouraging sign with respect to Stern’s health at the moment. As a result, he may find himself on the market for a stretch as teams consider adding him prior to roster cutdowns. If he does land with a new squad in the relatively near future, however, the Broncos’ turnover at the safety position this offseason will continue.

Denver moved on from Justin Simmons in the spring, and the NFL’s interceptions leader since 2016 has still yet to sign with a new team. The Broncos also released Kareem Jackson late in the 2023 campaign after his second suspension of the season. Jackson recently signed with the Bills in an attempt to continue his career. Now that Sterns will not be in the fold, a number of new faces will be counted on for the 2024 season.

The Broncos added Brandon Jones in free agency, and the team re-signed P.J. Locke. Those two are set operate as starters this season, but the absence of Sterns will lead to questions about depth behind them. Barring an addition, Denver will rely on the likes of J.L. Skinner and Delarrin Turner-Yell as special teams contributors counted on to take on defensive snaps in the event of injury to Jones and/or Locke. The Broncos have roughly $7.7MM in cap space, so a modest safety investment to replace Sterns would be feasible.

Bo Nix Moving Ahead Of Jarrett Stidham In Broncos’ QB Competition?

August 3rd, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos appear to have narrowed their quarterback competition to two contenders. As expected, trade acquisition Zach Wilson lost out on first-team reps during training camp this week, increasing the attention shown to incumbent Jarrett Stidham and first-round rookie Bo Nix.

[RELATED: Recapping Broncos’ Offseason]

The latter has long been expected to take the reins at some point in 2024, as Day 1 passers often see regular season action at some point in their rookie campaigns. Nix, 24, is a veteran of 61 starts in college and is better positioned than most to handle first-team duties right away. At a minimum, the Auburn and Oregon alum will not start the year occupying the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Nix is still a strong candidate to earn the Week 1 nod, though. The 12th overall pick “appears to have edged past” Stidham in recent practices, Mike Klis of 9News writes. Both signal-callers received first-team reps, but Klis notes the rotation has left the door wide open for Nix to continue impressing Sean Payton and the coaching staff. Indications from June pointed to him being the favorite in the long run, so this latest update comes as little surprise.

Stidham made a pair of starts to close out the 2023 season, Payton’s first as head coach in Denver. The soon-to-be 28-year-old took over once it became clear Russell Wilson‘s tenure in the Mile High City had realistically come to a close. The longtime Seahawk’s release paved the way for multiple additions, and Wilson’s arrival came shortly before the decision to select Nix – one Payton confirmed was the Broncos’ Plan A all along.

Improved play on offense will be critical for Denver in 2024, and more efficiency in the passing game is needed for the team to return to the postseason. Plenty of time remains for Nix’s potential to be realized at the NFL level, as he could be retained through 2028 via the fifth-year option. The Broncos’ evaluation period before a decision on that front could still very well begin as early as Week 1 of his rookie season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/24

August 2nd, 2024 at 6:50pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions as we head into the weekend:

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Petit-Frere has been rehabbing back from a medical procedure he underwent on his knee. The third-year lineman will now get an opportunity to enter the team’s position battle at right tackle.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/24

August 1st, 2024 at 7:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves from around the league:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

New Orleans Saints

Rourke joins a third team this year. The Patriots waived the former CFL quarterback in May, and the Giants — after claiming him — moved him off their 90-man roster shortly after Daniel Jones received full clearance. Rourke spent most of last season with the Jaguars, catching on with the Pats late in the year. He will try to stick on a Falcons team with three QBs — Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. and Taylor Heinicke — already rostered. Heinicke expects to be jettisoned before Week 1, with the Falcons planning to keep two QBs on their active roster. Though, the veteran could have a place on Atlanta’s practice squad.

This will mark a third Callaway Saints stint. Utilized frequently during a 2021 season that featured zero Michael Thomas participation and brought back in 2023 after the Broncos and Raiders cut him, Callaway returns days after a Steelers departure. The former UDFA, who has a 698-yard 2021 season on his resume, played in three Saints games last season but did not make a catch. This comes at an interesting point, at least, with the Saints having moved on from OC Pete Carmichael en route to a Klint Kubiak hire.

Sullivan suffered a quadriceps injury, per the Panthers. The 2020 Seahawks seventh-round pick, who reunited with ex-Seattle assistant Dave Canales this offseason, has been with the Panthers for the past three seasons.

Load More Posts