Last year, the Denver Broncos went into the season with Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson as their starting safeties. Caden Sterns was listed as a co-starter with Jackson, but he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 1. That injury left P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner as the team’s backup safeties in 2023.

Renck: After last season, Sean Payton was, to many in Broncos Country, an annoyance — an abrasive, overrated leader who failed to deliver. This season he is Mike Shanahan 2.0. The former Super Bowl champion has created an invested culture,

Sean Payton has been one of this league's best coaches for a long time, winning a Super Bowl, leading amazing offenses with precision play-calling and having a great feel for what defenses do against him.