QB Sam Ehlinger calls it an easy decision to remain with Broncos
ENGLEWOOD – Once the Broncos made their pitch, quarterback Sam Ehlinger figured it was a no-brainer to stay in Denver.
Electing at first to keep just two quarterbacks, the Broncos on Aug. 26 released Ehlinger, their third-stringer. He then got two offers from other teams to join a 53-man roster, but The Denver Gazette reported last week he turned those down because the Broncos told him they would find a way to get him on their 53 if he started on the practice squad. And last Saturday, Ehlinger was promoted from the practice squad.
“We had good conversations with the team as well and felt good about sticking around,’’ Ehlinger said after Thursday’s practice at Broncos Park about taking team officials at their word. “Obviously, I’ve already been elevated. … They needed a roster spot but also wanted to make sure that both parties are happy. We were happy to compromise and work together.”
A roster spot became available when defensive tackle Malcolm Roach was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. So Ehlinger was on the 53-man roster a day before the Broncos opened the season with last Sunday’s 20-12 win over Tennessee.
Ehlinger is playing behind starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham. He will dress out as the emergency third quarterback Sunday at Indianapolis, where he played his previous four NFL seasons.
“So much of this business, espically at quarterback is relationships and I now understand that having been in the league for a few years,’’ Ehlinger said. “And so I feel really good about the relationships that I’m building in this building.”
Ehlinger, signed in April as a free agent, has developed a good rapport with head coach Sean Payton, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
“There’s a level of complexity that goes with the offense that if you can pick it up, it proves you have the mental capacity to compete at a high level,’’ Ehlinger said of what makes Denver a good spot for a quarterback. “And obviously Sean has worked with a lot of good quarterbacks and I think there’s a stamp of approval that comes with Sean Payton-coached quarterbacks and his word carries a lot of weight around the league. … It seems everybody wants a piece of this organization one way or another and so I think being in a quarterback room (with Nix and Davis) is very attractive.”
Ehlinger played at Texas from 2017-20, which included Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron being a freshman in 2020. Barron, who grew up near the campus in Austin, Texas, has said Ehlinger “was always my G.O.A.T. growing up watching him.”
“It’s been really cool to be in the same locker room with him again,’’ said Ehlinger, who said he had players at his house in Austin for workouts during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and Barron sometimes would come. “He’s going to be a really good player.”
Greenlaw likely to miss Colts game
Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw again sat out practice Thursday, but defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and tight end Evan Engram both look to be in line to face the Colts.
Greenlaw, who suffered a quad injury July 31 and hasn’t practiced or played in the regular season, appears unlikely to play against the Colts. However, listed as full participants in practice Thursday were Franklin-Myers, who sat out Wednesday with a knee injury suffered against the Titans, and Engram, who was limited Wednesday with a calf injury suffered in the opener.
Also Thursday, tight end Nate Adkins returned to practice after having undergone ankle surgery about a month ago and was listed as a limited participant. It is uncertain whether he could play against the Colts. If not, he seems to be in good position to make his season debut Sept. 21 at the Los Angeles Chargers.
A gift from Bonitto
After Nik Bonitto signed a four-year, $106 million contract extension, fellow Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said he received a gift from him but wouldn’t reveal what it was.
Bonitto, on Thursday, told The Denver Gazette he gave Cooper a pair of Kanye West Custom Birkenstocks sliders. Bonitto, a 2022 Broncos draft pick, wanted to show his appreciation for Cooper, a 2021 Denver draft selection, for serving as a mentor.
“That’s his favorite artist,’’ Bonitto said of West. “And I kind of sneaked (his shoe size) from him.”
There will be more signs of appreciation from Bonitto. He plans to take the outside linebacker room out to dinner.
Why Badie over McLaughlin?
In a move that was a bit of a surprise, the Broncos for their opener made Tyler Badie active over Jaleel McLaughin as their No. 3 running back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
While Badie had spent much of the previous three years on the practice squad, McLaughlin was never a healthy scratch in his first two seasons with the Broncos.
“It’s a tough decision because Jaleel is such a good player,’’ Lombardi said. “I think most of it was third-down protection (reasons).”
Badie did not have any carries in the game but caught two passes for 16 yards. It remains to be seen who Denver’s No. 3 back will be against the Colts.
Against the Titans, Dobbins had 16 carries for 63 yards and Harvey had six attempts for 70 yards, including a 50-yard run. Lombardi said he’s “really excited about how (Harvey) played and excited for what he has going in his future.”
Briefly
Lombardi said he “expected better” out of Denver’s offense and that the Broncos “didn’t find our rhythm as quickly as we wanted to” against Tennessee. Lombardi was disappointed that the Broncos had four turnovers in the game, but that they “did enough to win, and that’s the important thing.” … Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was pleased with the debut of rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw, who against the Titans had three punts for averages of 48.0 gross and 44.0 yards net. “It’s a really good start for him, definitely something to build off of,’’ Rizzi said. “(It) wasn’t perfect, but certainly stuff he can learn from.” … Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was thrilled with the first Broncos game from safety Talanoa Hufunga, who had at team-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble. “My god, I was impressed, especially after watching the actual tape,’’ Joseph said. “The range he played with, how he capped off plays for us. He’s making plays from 15 yards deep.”
