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Jeff Legwold, ESPN senior writer
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado — In the “what a difference a year makes” department, Denver Broncos Coach Sean Payton felt his team’s progress this offseason was worthy of a reward.
On Wednesday, Payton told Broncos players that he had canceled minicamp practice scheduled for Thursday, sending the group into downtime a little earlier than expected. It was something he didn’t do last June in his first year with the Broncos.
Payton said after Wednesday’s practice that he had not initially planned to cancel the final practice of minicamp, but decided the team’s performance had made it an option.
“Overall everything went well,” Payton said of the offseason program. “Look… this was more of a byproduct of what we’ve been seeing, of where we are. And I like where we are.”
The Broncos have a younger roster than last season, given the release of players like the quarterback. Russell Wilson and security Justin Simmons this offseason to go with free agency departures, as a linebacker Josey Joya and center Lloyd Cushenberry III. Payton has referenced the “enthusiasm” of that younger roster on several occasions this offseason.
The Broncos have multiple positional battles underway, including the highest-profile one at quarterback between Jarrett Stidhamrookie bo nix and zack wilsonalong with the cornerback and inside linebacker.
“We had some good competition,” Payton said. “All the metrics we track…and attendance, but I would say competition sharpens things and it was different. It felt different this year, in a good way.”
Payton was also asked if the younger roster following the extreme makeover this offseason, his second with the team, has influenced his behavior in any way compared to his first year on the job in Denver, when the Broncos they finished 8-9 and off the roster. playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.
“Look, there’s probably a little bit of that first year when you’re peeing on all the trees,” Payton said. “And I’m probably guilty of that. You always talk about being present, where you are, where your feet are… and I would say that happened to me quite a bit.”
Payton said he told the players “not to lose” the momentum they had gained and said he expected all three quarterbacks to return to training camp in late July ready to continue the competition for the starting job.
Payton and the wide receiver Courtland Sutton each said the team’s three quarterbacks and most of the receivers would meet alone for a week in early July to get a head start.
Payton also said he met in person with Sutton on Wednesday morning. Frustrated with his contract, Sutton had stayed away from almost the entire team’s offseason program.
He attended both days of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday, but didn’t participate much beyond stretching and light individual work. Sutton said Tuesday that he has not decided whether he will report to training camp on time in July if the team does not address his contract. He has two years remaining on a four-year, $60 million extension he signed at the end of the 2021 season.
“Courtland and I met (Wednesday) morning for quite a while. We have a good relationship,” Payton said. “He’s important to what we’re doing…I would say he’s important, and I think he knows that.”