The 2026 Broncos' 5 Most Anticipated Training Camp Battles on Offense

The return of Denver Broncos football is right around the corner, as the rookies report to training camp this week (July 22) with the veterans soon to follow (July 28).

So, when you’re out there roasting, watching the Broncos return to the practice field, what action should you be most closely monitoring? Here’s a handy guide detailing the Broncos training camp battles you need to watch on offense.

5. Jarrett Stidham vs. Sam Ehlinger (Backup QB)

Boy, is it nice to finally have a quarterback battle in the Mile High City that carries so little weight.

The Broncos’ decision to bring Sam Ehlinger back this offseason, in contrast to their indifference surrounding Zach Wilson 12 months prior, demonstrates some affinity for the backup quarterback.

Pair that with a disappointing performance from Jarrett Stidham in last season’s most important game and the fact that he’s on a large backup contract, and you can see why there’s potential for Ehlinger to at least challenge for the No. 2 job.

However, that idea was more plausible this spring, when trading Stidham appeared possible. Now, barring a quarterback injury happening elsewhere in the NFL landscape, it’s hard to imagine a deal materializing for Stidham, meaning Denver would have to cut him to move on.

If Ehlinger simply outperforms Stidham, that won’t be an issue. But if Stidham looks better than Ehlinger, even slightly, it’s unlikely the Broncos prioritize the relatively minor cap savings ($4.5 million) over providing themselves the best available backup plan for this high-stakes season.

Prediction: Jarrett Stidham remains the backup quarterback. Sam Ehlinger fails to make the initial 53, but is quickly re-added to the roster as the emergency third quarterback.

4. Lil’ Jordan Humphrey vs. Hakeem Butler (Big-Bodied Payton Utility WR)

Ever since Sean Payton’s first season in Denver, Broncos Country has lamented Lil’ Jordan Humphrey’s robust role. Thankfully for them, there’s a new challenger for the gig.

This offseason, the Broncos signed Hakeem Butler, a massive wide receiver with a fascinating backstory.

Butler entered the NFL in 2019 as a 4th-round pick, but he only lasted a few seasons after a broken hand forced him to miss his entire rookie year. He never got to play in an NFL game. Then, in 2023, Butler re-emerged in the XFL as the St. Louis Battlehawks’ star receiver. During those past four years of spring ball, Butler has led the league in receiving touchdowns once and receiving yards twice. He’s also made the All-League team three times and has won Offensive Player of the Year twice.

As you might expect, Butler offers more as a pass-catcher than Humphrey, but it’s hard to know right now if he could fully replace LJH’s ‘dirty work’ role.

If Butler earns Payton’s trust, there’s an excellent chance he replaces Humphrey on the practice squad, and he might even earn a roster spot.

Prediction: This is a true coin-flip. While the offense values what Humphrey adds, they’ve been looking for an upgrade for that role for years now (Josh Reynolds and Trent Sherfield). Butler’s limited exposure as a tight-end convert with the Eagles fuels some optimism on the ‘dirty work’ question.

3. Dallen Bentley vs. Lucas Krull vs. Caleb Lohner (Fifth TE)

Right now, it’s unclear whether this battle will be for a practice-squad-call-up spot, or for one of the team’s very last roster spots.

Denver will keep either four or five tight ends this season, with Adam Trautman, Evan Engram and Justin Joly likely locking up three spots, as the fourth goes to Nate Adkins unless the Broncos choose to replace him with Adam Prentice. That means this trio won’t just be battling each other, but the rest of the backend of the roster to prove who offers the most utility.

This is also one of the weightier battles because whoever wins has a relatively clear path to making a sizeable impact. The Broncos’ tight end room is a bit of a void right now, and will only open up more in 2027 with Engram entering the last season of his deal.

On top of that, the candidates for the job add further intrigue.

Dallen Bentley and Caleb Lohner are two highly talented but inexperienced longshots who have the potential to bring the room to heights it hasn’t enjoyed since the Julius Thomas days.

Meanwhile, Lucas Krull has been a point of frustration for Broncos Country over the past couple of seasons, but is a known commodity the staff is comfortable with, and that’s been a prized quality in past seasons.

Prediction: Although at least one of these figures will see regular-season action, all three will likely fail to make the roster, as the staff prioritizes players more vulnerable to poaching.

2. R.J. Harvey vs. Jonah Coleman (Secondary Ball-Carrier and Pass-Protector)

There are a few things we know, nearly for certain, about the Broncos’ running back group.

First, each of the top-three options is likely to have a notable role in the offense, as is typical for Payton’s attacks. Second, J.K. Dobbins is the clear lead option, as the best ball-carrier and pass-protector, and an effective pass-catcher. Third, Dobbins has obvious injury concerns.

Beyond that, it’s a mystery. Though, considering those pieces of the puzzle, it’s apparent that determining who’s best suited to fill in for Dobbins will be critical. Last year, Harvey wasn’t ready to fill that void, which forced the team to carry both Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.

The selection of Coleman, projected to be one of the draft class’s best pass-blockers and a hyper-reliable between-the-tackles ball-carrier, was a response to that struggle.

Still, it would be foolish to count Harvey out now. He was one of college’s most explosive and dynamic runners, but he played in a very simplistic offense that didn’t deploy many rushing concepts. Year 1 in Payton’s offense was always going to present a huge learning curve for him.

Prediction: Coleman fills the role Badie held last year as another pass-protecting option, but sees his work largely relegated to “J.K. Dobbins insurance” in year one, as Harvey’s leap as a rusher and defined impact as a pass-catcher keeps Coleman in the tertiary role.

1. Marvin Mims vs. Pat Bryant vs. Troy Franklin (Third Option at WR)

Someone is going to be the third-favorite option at wide receiver, after Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. Either Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, or Troy Franklin will solidify themselves as the next-most trusted option and will therefore enjoy far more opportunities.

Though who that ultimately is will be fascinating to follow this summer.

Franklin is maybe the most obvious answer, but he probably isn’t the right answer. The overlap between his skillset and Waddle’s won’t serve him well, and he has limited utility outside that ‘burner’ role. Plus, the drop issues make it less appealing to lean on him in obvious passing situations, as those are often third- or fourth-and-long scenarios.

Waddle also threatens Mims with redundancy, though his situation is less dire, thanks to what he offers as a returner and gadget weapon. That said, there’s a reason why Mims has struggled to secure regular playing time on offense, and there’s little more than hope fueling the idea that 2026 is the year that switch finally flips.

Pat Bryant should be the odds-on favorite to earn that role. Bryant earned the third-most offensive snaps of any receiver on the 2025 Broncos, despite missing two games due to injury and only getting 31 snaps the first three weeks, as he worked to crack the rotation. Outside of that learning period and the two games he missed, Franklin played just 31 more offensive snaps than Bryant.

Prediction: Bryant becomes the clear No. 3 wide receiver whenever he’s healthy. He was already close to surpassing Franklin in 2026, despite Franklin being more experienced, healthier, and a better complement to Sutton. Now, it’s Bryant who’s the better complement to the pre-established stars.