Today, the Denver Broncos returned to the practice field, but this time, not in Denver, but in Santa Clara California to take part in a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. Two teams will have their preseason opener on Saturday night, but today, the two teams had one of their most important training camp practices of the summer. After practicing against itself for the first week and a half, the two-teams, for the first time this summer, were able to go up against someone else. This a good test to see where everyone is at, if players continue to breakout, and if the narratives being built continue to be true. Well, for the Broncos, it was a lot of what we have seen, heard, and read about throughout training camp. The defense was dominant, they forced turnovers, the pass rush was constant, and for the most part, they dominated today’s practice. The 49ers did have some success late in the practice, but overall, the Broncos defense won the day. As for the offense, they made plenty of plays and were likely relieved that they did not have to face their own defense for the first time. Nix and company made plays and had an overall good day against the 49ers.
Broncos-49ers joint practice is over. Here’s what you need to know:
Broncos’ offense and defense DOMINATED the 49ers the first half of practice.
49ers picked it up in the second half of practice and it was competitive and pretty even.
Overall, good strong showing for the…
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR)
August 7, 2025
In today’s piece, we’ll talk about how the Broncos offense and defense did during the joint practice, injury updates, news and notes, tweets from camp, quotes, and a lot more in today’s jam packed news and notes post.
Broncos defense dominates 49ers offense for most of the joint practice
The Broncos defense looked as advertised to start practice. The pass rush was dominant throughout, they were able to force some turnovers, and held the 49ers offense in check throughout the first part of the practice. This was great to see and the Broncos defense looked a legit and potentially elite defense. Now, the 49ers did have some success later, including a would-be game-winning touchdown in a move the ball period, but overall, the Broncos defense looked great.
I’ve had a half a dozen coaches and Niners beat people reach out, gushing over the Broncos defense in the last 40 minutes.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL)
August 7, 2025
As KOA’s Benjamin Allbright mentioned above, multiple 49ers beat writers took notice of the Broncos defense today and mentioned how they look a bit better than what they have seen from the 49ers defense this summer. We have all heard about how well the Broncos defense has looked throughout camp, and it’s encouraging to see them continue to play well against another team.
Keep in mind, they did well without linebacker’s Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton as well as safety Brandon Jones who all did not practice today. So, the 49ers didn’t even see the Broncos defense at its strongest.
After practice, safety Talanoa Hufanga was asked if this defense reminds him of the defense he was a part of that made it to the Super Bowl a few years backs. He told reproters “most definitely” and mentioned how they are “very ferocious guys” that are willing to attack and compete every day.
“Most definitely. I think obviously schematically it is very different, but guys, at least on the defensive end that I’ve been a part of, are very ferocious guys that are willing to attack and compete every day. I think that’s the biggest thing. You want to show up, nothing’s promised every day, so for us it’s just showing up and being able to compete one on one.”
This Broncos does look very good and really deep. Rookie defensive linemen Sai’vion Jones had a sack, Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike are having good camps, Levelle Bailey has emerged, McMillian had an INT today, and Devon Key filled in for Jones and the Broncos defense did not miss a beat.
It is still VERY early, but it is hard not to be encouraged and excited about this Broncos defense and what they could be capable of this upcoming season.
Broncos offense looked crisp at times
It wasn’t all great for the Broncos offense today, but for the most part, they looked pretty good. Quarterback Bo Nix was showing off his ability to create plays on the move, wide receiver’s Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims Jr. all made plays and we saw some life from Sean Payton’s unit.
Big-time catch from Courtland Sutton in red-zone work.
Leaping catch in the back of the end zone and got both feet down for a touchdown grab.
Play of the day, imo.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla)
August 7, 2025
The play of the day was made by QB Bo Nix and his favorite target, wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Nix was able to avoid a sack, was on the run and had a beautiful pass to the back of the end zone where Sutton made a leaping grab and kept his feet in-bounds for the touchdown. He would later have a crossbody throw to wide receiver Devaughn Vele for a big gain. This extending the play, playmaking ability from Nix gives the Broncos offense an explosive element that makes them a potentially dangerous offense.
After practice, Sean Payton praised Nix for the spontaneous plays he made throughout today’s practice.
“I think we had a good tempo. I thought we did some good things in the running game. You get a chance in a situation like that. It’s not tackle, but you get a chance to see some of the spontaneous plays that he’s able to make. We’ll go back and look with a little bit tighter lens at everything.”
Payton continued praising Nix’s spontaneous plays and said it’s not something you can force or really teach. Sure, they can design roll outs and stuff, but mentioned how Nix functions well when the protection breaksdown and he is able to extend the play.
“I think that it’s something you can’t force that. We can design plays to get him out of the pocket, but I’m talking about when a part of your protection breaks down, maybe the initial route’s covered. He tends to function comfortably in that position.”
As I mentioned, one of these spontaneous plays led to a Courtland Sutton touchdown and Payton was asked about how the receivers react in these moments. He mentioned that it happened probably four times today and they have scramble rules for their receivers and they all have their assignments to keep moving and getting open during these play extensions. Payton added, “There are a lot of plays to be had”.
“When you get used to that, and we’ve seen this with other quarterbacks. [Steelers QB] Aaron Rodgers in the red zone was one of the best. A play doesn’t develop, and he moves, and in concert, the play moves with him. It’s practiced, and then when you begin to see, it happened probably four times today. There are certain scramble rules that we discuss: far receiver, near receiver and backside receiver in regards to getting in phase with the quarterback. There are a lot of plays to be had.”
After practice, Nix met with the media and was asked about this ability and he told reporters that it just comes naturally to him, but it is something you have to work at.
“It’s something that happens naturally, but it’s definitely something you have to work at, take time working at it. It can be a strength if you allow it to be. Those plays are always… Can be good, can be bad, and I just want to go out there and make the best play and that time whether it’s running, whether it’s finding a person to throw it to. So we’ve been practicing that, really this offseason, this training camp. It’s hard to kind of really do them because they’re so abrupt, they’re out of nowhere and so you just go out there and try to make a play and don’t make something bad, worse.”
These are the type of plays you see Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen make. If Nix can do it and continue to do it well, maybe he can become one of the top 4 or 5 quarterbacks in the NFL like Payton said.
Injury Report
- WR A.T. Perry remains on the PUP list, and once again, sat out today’s practice
- LB Drew Sanders is recovering from foot surgery and will be sidelined through the start of the regular season
- LB’s Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton both observed practice, but neither was in pads and did not participate – Source
- Payton said after practice that Greenlaw should be full-go by Monday and probably will not play in Saturday’s preseason opener – Source
- S Brandon Jones did not practice today – Source
- IDL Matt Henningsen appeared to have rolled an ankle and was being looked at by trainers – Source
News and Notes
- Safety JL Skinner had an INT during 7-on-7 drills – Source
- CB Ja’Quan McMillian had an INT of QB Brock Purdy – Source
- Rookie IDL Sai’vion Jones had a sack against the 49ers’ backups – Source
- IDL John Franklin-Myers had a would-be sack of QB Brock Purdy – Source
- QB Bo Nix had a pair of 15-20+ yard completions to WRs Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. – Source
- CB Riley Moss continued his very strong camp and had multiple impressive PBU’s during today’s practice – Source
- Rookie WR Joaquin Davis had an impressive catch from backup QB Jarrett Stidham – Source
- QB Sam Ehlinger hit WR Pat Bryant for a deep completion – Source
- QB Bo Nix was working the hard count and made the 49ers jump multiple times, giving the Broncos a free play – Source
- EDGE Dondrea Tillman had a sack of 49ers backup QB Mac Jones – Source
- 49ers QB Brock Purdy had back-to-back TDs during a red zone drill against the Broncos 1st team defense – Source
- WR Marvin Mims Jr. ran a sweep in for a TD during a red zone drill – Source
- IDL’s Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike had great days as they’re fighting for likely one roster spot – Source
- QB Bo Nix had the play of the day when he hit WR Courtland Sutton in the end zone for a touchdown. Sutton dragged his toe and got his feet down for the score – Source
- QB Bo Nix had another nice play when he threw a cross-body throw to WR Devaughn Vele for a 20-yard gain – Source
- QB Jarrett Stidham hit rookie WR Kyrese Rowan for a long 40-yard completion – Source
- 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis tweeted out that RB Tyler Badie has a real shot for the Broncos RB3 job – Source
- CB Jahdae Barron was beat on a 50/50 ball for a touchdown, but did bounce back and have a would-be sack of 49ers QB Brock Purdy – Source
- CB Pat Surtain II had a TD-saving PBU – Source
- QB Sam Ehlinger hit rookie WR Kyrese Rowan for a long 52-yard TD to end the practice – Source
Tweets from Camp
The usuals are showing up for the Broncos during 1on1s vs the 49ers:
Troy Franklin, working on tight coverage, got last-second separation for a short catch.
Riley Moss made a fantastic diving PBU.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR)
August 7, 2025
Broncos D bringing it in 7 on 7 — two INTs, McMillian and Skinner. Making it difficult for Niners to operate. Coverage sticky. Pass D is as advertised so far.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver)
August 7, 2025
11 on 11, Broncos vs 49ers. Dobbins nice run then Nix to Franklin on comeback.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news)
August 7, 2025
Bo Nix’s first pass of team period vs 49ers D was great.
Stepped up in pocket, drew the defense up then hit Troy Franklin for 15 yards even with a defensive holding.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR)
August 7, 2025
Broncos QB Bo Nix with an impressive early throw against the 49ers.
Navigated the pocket and stepped up to complete a big gain to a diving Troy Franklin.
On the other field, a couple of nice run stops for Denver’s defense + a PBU for Riley Moss.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla)
August 7, 2025
Bo Nix to Troy Franklin AGAIN.
This one for 20 right sideline.
Troy is slicing them up.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR)
August 7, 2025
Back-to-back sacks by
#Broncos defense on Brock Purdy. First Sai’vion Jones + Eyioma Uwazurike, then John Franklin-Myers. Broncos defense strutting their stuff early in 11-on.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans)
August 7, 2025
Nix with another sharp teal period. Got Franklin on a comeback and Mims on a deep cross that featured great protection.
Franklin just keeps making plays.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel)
August 7, 2025
Riley Moss’s camp is for real, folks. Has a couple PBUs in team period today with 49ers. Just made a fantastic play to knock away a ball to Jordan Watkins on a drag route over the middle.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans)
August 7, 2025
Promising stuff from the offense. Troy Franklin stays hot. Marvin Mims gets involved. Definitely helping the O to get out from under the suffocating defense.
Meanwhile the Broncos D massacred the 49ers offense in the first team period.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver)
August 7, 2025
Nix sacked a couple of times in the second team period. Biggest play of the sequence at the end of the period, with Ehlinger hitting Pat Bryant deep down the left seam.
First team defense still strong. Backups beaten deep for a touchdown on a post route.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver)
August 7, 2025
Big-time catch from Courtland Sutton in red-zone work.
Leaping catch in the back of the end zone and got both feet down for a touchdown grab.
Play of the day, imo.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla)
August 7, 2025
Move the ball period, 49ers scored, Purdy to Pearsall on right fade. Barron had tight coverage but Pearsall won the 50-50 ball.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news)
August 7, 2025
Bo Nix with one of the plays of the day so far. Chased to right sideline, falling out of bounds, flings a ball cross-body with lower arm slot to Devaughn Vele over the middle. Nasty stuff
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans)
August 7, 2025
Practice closed on a high for the Broncos. Sam Ehlinger found Kyrese Rowan for a 52-yard touchdown on fourth-and-15 to win that move-the-ball period. The first-team offense drove to a FG in move-the-ball. First-team D allowed a touchdown; backup D allowed a field goal.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver)
August 7, 2025
Notable Quotes
Head Coach Sean Payton on how teams evaluate players on other rosters during joint practices and preseason games
“Well we had that conversation just the other day in the meeting. I said, ‘If you’re not careful and you’re just looking at your own depth chart, you’re missing it because there are 31 other teams that are getting evaluated.’ One year, we had a kicking battle that went all through training camp, two kickers. Every day, there was a story about who was in the lead. Then the last preseason game we played Baltimore. They happened to be releasing a kicker, and we worked him out. It was [K] Wil Lutz and the two who were in competition, neither made it. So I think the objective is to put your best tape on film, certainly for the club you’re playing with, and then also for the other 31 that may be looking for a position you play.”
Head Coach Sean Payton on RB Tyler Badie
“Yeah, he [RB Tyler Badie] does a lot of things well. He’s someone who can play on third down. He is I would say a very good receiver at that position, and he’s right there in the thick of it as we start evaluating that group of runners who are all competing for a spot or two.”
Head Coach Sean Payton on CB Jahdae Barron’s first action against another NFL team
“You evaluate it all. How do you handle the situation? Man-to-man, zone, whether it was pressure? Was he inside or outside? Just the overall grade of the day, and how he’s playing. He’s very instinctive. He’s very smart, exceptionally smart. I think that’s a big plus for him.”
Head Coach Sean Payton on QB Bo Nix in Year 2 and what they need to do for him
“I think there are just these progressions relative to situational football. His preparation has been fantastic, and I think [he will] continue on the course where he’s improving and he’s going to work extremely hard at it. I think there are a number of things, but there’s not one specific thing. I think he’s wiser to red zone, wiser to third down, the cadence. There are some nuances that when you get real comfortable, maybe in Year 1, your snap count is this, and then pretty soon it becomes something, it’s more of a weapon. A number of things like that.”
QB Bo Nix on facing a defense that showed different looks and personnel
“I thought it was great. A respectful defense, they’ve been really good for a long time now. A new [defensive coordinator] but they didn’t really change much. They go back with a lot of good players. It was good to see difference pace, different speed, different scheme. I think it was good for us. Always nice to play against another team besides yourself in this time of year.”
QB Bo Nix on aspiring to reach the Super Bowl
“Well it should be your goal, too.
(Laughs) We should all be wanting to go win a Super Bowl. If we’re not trying to go win a Super Bowl, why are we here? If you’re not trying to be the best of the best in your particular area, ours is the NFL, the National Football League. I believe that’s why you go out there and play the game. You go out there to play the game to be the best, beat the best and I feel good about our team but that is not just thrown around. It’s not easy to do, obviously and we have a lot of work to do to go get that goal.”
QB Bo Nix on Head Coach Sean Payton believing he can be a top quarterback in the near future
“Well first, it’s good to have a coach that believes in you but it’s also… If he [Head Coach Sean Payton] believes that, and I know I have a lot of work to do to get there, I don’t want to let that word go void. I want to give my best shot at going out there and doing that. Not just obviously for him, for our team, for this organization, but for myself we put a lot of hard work into this, each and every day is a battle and a grind. We just want to see the fruits of our labor and so I think that’s obviously our goal. We talk about Super Bowls, talk about winning culture, that helps a lot in being the best that I can be.”
QB Bo Nix on making the decision when to vacate the pocket
“I think it’s a feel thing. If one’s open take it, two, three, and eventually you have a time clock and you know. I feel like I have good rhythm getting to two, three, even four and then you kind of know when they’re not open you have to go. We face really good [defensive] linemen in this league, and I don’t want to just hang my offensive line out to dry and just stand back there in the pocket and hold onto the ball. So I know I have an internal clock, I have timing, match my feet and my eyes and eventually it’s just a second nature feeling you just have to get out of the pocket.”
QB Bo Nix on the running back room
“Really excited. We have a really good running back room right now; they’re competing really well. It’s hard in a setting like today, not going to the ground. We won’t really be able to see that until gameday but I’m excited. We put the pieces together and we have a really good o-line that’s going to set the foundations and we have backs that can run and move the football so I’m excited.”
S Talanoa Hufanga on how great it is to have LB Dre Greenlaw with him
“Oh, very. They put us everywhere together. He [LB Dre Greenlaw] was my locker mate here. He’s my locker mate there. He was my partner on the plane. He is the next-door roommate at the hotel. I’m telling you, they just make sure we’re buddies everywhere we go, and our families are blessed. His little man’s always at practice and stuff too. So great family, great person.”
OT Mike McGlinchey on what LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga have brought to the team
“Well certainly the energy. It’s the energy I felt from them as teammates here in San Francisco, they’re such talented football players but you can feel them on the field. When I was here, [49ers Head Coach] Kyle [Shanahan] always used to talk about feeling you through tape. I should be able to put on the silent tape and know who you are as a person, and you can do that with [LB] Dre [Greenlaw] and ‘Huf’ (S Talanoa Hufanga). The way that they have come in and taken their role with stride and being the same guys that they were here, they’re going to help our football team tremendously.”
@AudricEstime x #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/YyPSjvSuhp
️
via 
Troy Franklin 
