In the Broncos’ season opener against the Seahawks, they are facing a familiar foe with new faces, and that has created a game-planning challenge.
Led by first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle’s staff is much different than the last time both teams faced off in 2022. That includes offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who has never coached in the NFL.
Grubb spent the last two seasons at the University of Washington, where he helped turn former Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into a Heisman Trophy finalist and the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft.
“It’s somewhat challenging because you’re not sure what else he has obviously from college to now,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Thursday. “We can’t worry about that. Our system should handle most of it.”
Joseph said the team has enough film from Seattle’s three preseason games to game plan against the Seahawks on first and second down. He admitted that the team has had a challenge game-planning for third down and red zone situations since the information and film of Grubb’s offense is so limited.
The Broncos will have to adjust on the fly.
“The situational football areas, that’s where we’re short,” Joseph said. “We have to adjust when we see it on Sunday, and you hope your system catches most of it.”
In 2023, Washington finished 12th in the nation in total offense (462.1 yards per game). The Huskies had a handful of playmakers in Penix, running back Dillion Johnson, and wide receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. With a high-powered offense, Washington won the Pac-12 championship and appeared in the national title game, where it lost to Michigan.
Denver defensive tackle D.J. Jones commended the coaching staff for preparing for the unknowns.
“I think our physicality wins this game,” Jones said. “Beyond film and beyond coaches, I think the 11 people on the field — offense, defense or special teams — is the most important thing right now.”
Moss excited for first start: Second-year cornerback Riley Moss went into training camp with the goal of being named a starter. Now that he has accomplished that mission, Moss is excited to show what he can bring to the table.
As a rookie, Moss was sidelined during training camp due to a core muscle injury. In the regular season, the former Iowa standout was limited to 23 defensive snaps, which was a source of motivation for him going into the offseason.
Moss understands the challenge of starting on the opposite side of Pat Surtain II, as opposing quarterbacks tend to avoid throwing in the All-Pro’s direction.
“I know it’s going to happen, and I’m ready to make a play,” Moss said.
Clean injury report: The Broncos didn’t have a player appear on the injury report for the second straight day, as they are on track to have a fully healthy roster for their matchup against Seattle. Wide receiver Michael Bandy, a member of the practice squad, was on the side field with linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles), safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle).
