Thursday’s Orange & Blue Today digs into one of the biggest lingering questions on offense: is the Broncos tight end room actually good enough.

At the top, Evan Engram is the primary pass‑catching threat — but last year showed he may simply be who he is at this stage of his career. Can he be better in 2026. Can he ever become Sean Payton’s true “joker” weapon, or is that role still missing from the roster.

Behind him, Adam Trautman remains the trusted veteran blocker who keeps the offense on schedule. The Broncos also kept rookie Dallen Bentley, a seventh‑round pick who projects as a future Trautman‑type player — maybe with more upside than originally expected. Nate Adkins provides versatility and reliability in multiple roles.

And then there’s Caleb Lohner — the 2025 seventh‑rounder who made the team but starts the season on IR‑designated to return. He’s a massive project with real athletic upside, but he’s done little so far due to injuries. Is he the key to this group being better than expected. If so, when could he realistically be out there helping the Broncos.

This TE room has stability, youth, and potential — but does it have enough juice.

🔥 In this episode:

• Is the Broncos TE room good enough for a playoff run

• Can Evan Engram be better than last year

• Why Dallen Bentley may have more upside than expected

• How Nate Adkins fits into the rotation

• Whether Caleb Lohner can change the ceiling — and when he might return

Drop your Broncos take — which tight end needs to step up most, and who has the best chance to surprise in 2026.

ESPN left Bo Nix out of their Top 100, and Broncos Country is rightfully fired up. The national analysts have never understood Nix — not his command, not his toughness, not the way he elevates the offense. But inside the building, his teammates keep saying the same thing: Bo is different, Bo is steady, and Bo is ready. Is he about to make a year‑three leap like Josh Allen once did. The signs are there — growth in processing, confidence in structure, and a locker room that believes he’s the guy to take them deep into January. So why are the national voices still so wrong. We dig into the biases, the blind spots, and the outdated narratives that keep analysts from seeing what Denver sees every day. 🔥 In this episode: Why ESPN left Bo Nix out of the Top 100 What Nix’s teammates say that analysts ignore Whether a year‑three leap is coming Why national evaluators keep missing on Denver’s QB Drop your Broncos take — is Bo Nix about to shock the national media again, and how high can he climb in 2026.

The Broncos’ practice squad is set, and there’s already plenty to unpack. Rookie ILB Red Murdock made the squad — a win for a developmental player whose instincts, urgency, and tackling ability give Denver a real long‑term project at the position. His growth now becomes a season‑long storyline. But the surprise came at tight end: rookie Justin Joly chose to sign with the Miami Dolphins instead of staying in Denver. So did the Broncos make a mistake not pushing harder to keep both Joly and fellow rookie Dallen Bentley. Bentley’s size, blocking ability, and red‑zone potential may offer more upside than originally thought — and Denver’s confidence in him clearly shaped how the TE room was built. Now the question becomes whether the Broncos truly assembled the best 53‑man roster and practice squad for a team with playoff — and Super Bowl — expectations. The mix of veterans, rookies, and developmental pieces suggests a long‑view approach, but the margins matter. 🔥 In this episode: Red Murdock’s developmental path on the practice squad Why Justin Joly chose Miami — and what it means for Denver Dallen Bentley’s rising upside in the TE room Did the Broncos nail their 53‑man roster and PS decisions How these moves shape the team heading into Week 1 Drop your Broncos take — did Denver keep the right guys, and which practice‑squad player has the best chance to make an impact this season.

The Broncos must trim the roster to 53 players this weekend, and with one preseason game left — Friday night against the Vikings — it’s officially bubble‑watch season in Denver. This is the week where fringe players have to play their way onto the roster, and several names stand out. Depth receivers, rotational defenders, and young specialists all have one last shot to prove they belong. And then there’s the trade angle: would Denver showcase Jaleel McLaughlin or Sam Ehlinger to spark interest around the league. It’s absolutely in play. Sean Payton and George Paton will be watching every snap — effort, consistency, and assignment‑sound football matter more than ever in the preseason finale. 🔥 In this episode: Which bubble players must shine vs. the Vikings Who’s fighting for the final roster spots Could Jaleel McLaughlin or Sam Ehlinger be showcased for a trade How the Broncos approach cut‑down weekend Why Friday is make‑or‑break for multiple depth pieces Drop your Broncos take — which bubble player do YOU think earns a roster spot, and who’s most likely to be moved before cut‑downs.

Bo Nix will NOT play in the Broncos’ final preseason game, and that tells you everything about where Sean Payton’s confidence is. He’s seen enough — the franchise QB is ready for Week 1, healthy, sharp, and locked in. So the question becomes: how many other starters should sit. After a physical camp and two preseason games, Payton may choose to protect most of his core players, especially with the regular‑season opener just around the corner. Expect a lighter workload for key veterans and a showcase opportunity for depth pieces fighting for roster spots. The Broncos also released Taylor Rapp due to a personal matter, but there’s a strong chance he returns once things settle. It’s a pause, not a goodbye. One more preseason game… then it’s time. The Broncos are gearing up to make a real run at Super Bowl 61, and this week is all about tightening the final bolts before the season kicks off. 🔥 In this episode: Why Bo Nix is sitting out the finale Which starters should rest vs. the Vikings Taylor Rapp’s release and potential return Final roster battles before Week 1 Why expectations are sky‑high for 2026 Drop your Broncos take — which starters should sit Friday, and who needs one last big preseason performance to lock in their role.

Vance Joseph didn’t sugarcoat anything — he ripped his defense for their lack of effort against the Packers, saying the first‑team unit came out lazy and unengaged. That kind of message, delivered publicly, always sends shockwaves through a locker room. So what happens now. Expect a more demanding week, sharper standards, and a real possibility that more defensive starters see action in the preseason finale. Joseph wants urgency, discipline, and physicality — and he may decide the best way to get it is by putting his top guys on the field Friday night. This week becomes a test of pride, response, and leadership for a defense that knows it didn’t meet expectations. 🔥 In this episode: Why Vance Joseph blasted his defense after the Packers game How the first‑team unit responds to being called out Whether more starters will play vs. the Vikings What this means for the Broncos’ defensive identity The tone of a critical final week of preseason Drop your Broncos take — how should VJ handle the finale, and which defensive starter do YOU want to see out there on Friday.

The Broncos were back at work on Monday, and the tone was unmistakable — Sean Payton was not happy with how his team got beat down by the Packers on Friday. The urgency kicked up, the intensity rose, and this week suddenly feels like a recalibration moment heading into the final preseason game. The big question: how does Payton plan this week. Expect sharper practices, cleaner execution demands, and a focus on correcting the mental mistakes that showed up against Green Bay. This isn’t a “just get through preseason” week — it’s a response week. And with the Vikings coming to town Friday, will the starters play more than originally planned. It’s on the table. Payton wants rhythm, he wants timing, and he wants his top guys to show they can execute under pressure. That means Bo Nix could see extended work, and Jaylen Waddle may be part of that push to sharpen the offense. This is the last chance to tune up before the real thing — and Payton is treating it that way. 🔥 In this episode: How Sean Payton resets the team after the Packers loss Why starters may play more vs. the Vikings Bo Nix’s potential workload in the final preseason game What this week tells us about the team’s mindset Drop your Broncos take — how much do YOU want to see the starters on Friday, and which player needs a big final preseason showing.

Bo Nix is finally set to take the field — his first game action since the ankle injury in last year’s Divisional Round — and the Broncos’ second preseason game against the Packers suddenly feels a whole lot bigger. So what should fans expect from the third‑year QB. A controlled script, quick rhythm throws, and a chance to show the command he’s displayed all camp. The snap count won’t be huge, but it should be meaningful — enough to knock off rust and give Denver its first real look at how the offense operates with Nix at the controls. And yes, Jaylen Waddle is expected to be out there too. When Nix and Waddle share the field, the spacing, tempo, and explosiveness instantly change. This could be our first glimpse of just how high‑powered this offense might be once the regular season arrives. Rookie RB Jonah Coleman will also be under the microscope after a fantastic debut. Can he stack performances. Can he push for a real role. Denver wants to see consistency, physicality, and continued confidence. It’s a preseason game — but it’s also a preview of what this offense could become. 🔥 In this episode: Bo Nix’s long‑awaited return and realistic expectations Projected snap count for the Broncos’ franchise QB Jaylen Waddle’s impact if he suits up Jonah Coleman’s next step after a breakout debut Whether we finally see the offense’s true ceiling Drop your Broncos take — what do YOU want to see from Nix’s debut, and which player has the best chance to steal the show against Green Bay.