HC Opening Statement:
Good afternoon, everyone, hope y’all are doing good. Over the offseason, the organization made some significant roster upgrades, and I’m beyond ecstatic about the direction in which we’re headed. Our mindset is simple: Build a Winning Culture!
Q: Coach, can you break down the key roster upgrades this offseason?
Gladly. First and foremost, the Broncos are proud to have added Puka Nakua as our new WR1. His route running, hands, and football IQ make him a true game-changer. We look forward to the magic he can produce alongside two young, talented wideouts, Mims and Franklin. He brings an all-around balance to the receiver room.
Our main priority, however, was on the defensive side. We traded for Jaylon Johnson, who will anchor our secondary as FS1 behind the sensational PS2. He brings elite coverage skills and has already been very impactful as a leader. Elontae Taylor has also joined as our secondary, providing excellent depth, speed, and versatility in coverage.
AJ Epenesa, our first free agent signing in the offseason, brings a veteran presence to a developing front four. His athleticism and knack for disrupting the QB will hopefully lighten the load on Mason Graham.
Lastly, during the preseason, we brought in Joe Mixon. This team, while talented, still lacks areas of experience and leadership; Mixon is a seasoned vet who has been a part of some brilliant offensive schemes. Bringing him gives us both experience and depth in the backfield.
Q: How do you see these additions translating into a more successful season than your first?
We targeted players who fit our system and raised the standard of competition in our locker room. Nakua stretches defenses and opens up our offense, while Johnson and Taylor solidify the back end of our defense. Iron sharpens iron. Epenesa’s presence off the edge will help us disrupt opposing quarterbacks more effectively. These moves give us depth and playmakers, which we felt we lacked last year.
Q: Can you speak to Kevin Winston Jr.’s and Elijah Arroyo’s development?
Kevin Winston Jr. has been phenomenal this offseason. Putting in work day in and day out. He undoubtedly earned the starting safety spot opposite Johnson. Look for him to have a breakout season. He is a natural ball hawk with an exceptional talent for finding the guy with the rock and bringing him down. His work ethic, film study, and physicality make him a cornerstone of our defense moving forward.
Elijah Arroyo is emerging as a dynamic tight end on the offensive side. His progress through his rookie season alone was astounding; we look forward to using him as a weapon in the passing game as much as possible. Unfortunately, he suffered an elbow injury in the preseason that has sidelined him from practice for the past few weeks. However, we’re optimistic to have him back sooner rather than later, and you can bet he’ll hit the ground running. His ability to win in the middle of the field and outside the numbers gives our offense much flexibility.
Q: What have you seen from Bo Nix this offseason? Is he ready to take the next step?
Man, there are not enough good things I could say about Bo. He has most certainly put in the work this offseason and then some. He is a leader for this organization on and off the field. His preparation has been exceptional, showing a deeper understanding of defensive schemes and improved accuracy. Our main goal for him is to limit turnover and enhance decision-making. If he can do that, there is no reason he can’t be among the elite QBs of the current NFL.
Q: The AFC West remains one of the toughest divisions in football. How do you prepare for that challenge?
We embrace the challenge. Competing in the AFC West means facing elite teams week in and week out. Our focus has been building a balanced roster that can handle that type of competition. Strong defensive play, limiting turnovers, and maximizing our offensive weapons will be crucial. We respect our division rivals but are ready to create a new narrative.
Q: What are the team’s primary goals for the upcoming season?
Our goals are clear: finish with an above .500 record. Last year, we had the goal of at least seven wins, and we hit that, barely. But the fact of the matter is seven wins won’t get you into the playoffs, maybe in the AFC South. In order to compete at the next level, we have to finish above .500 consistently; last year being a rebuild in some sense will be excused, but from here on out, we will win more than we lose. I promise that.
To do that, we have also made more specific team goals for both sides of the ball. We will strive to have a positive turnover differential, and get at least three players with over 1,000 scrimmage yards. Achieving those milestones means playing sound, disciplined football and effectively moving the ball. These aren’t just benchmarks; they’re expectations we’re holding ourselves to every week.
Closing Statement:
Thank you all for being here today. We’re committed to giving our fans a team they can be proud of. The grind continues, Go Broncos!
